By ROY HESS|Staff Writer
The Hanna Golden Eagles are steadily building momentum as they enter the most crucial part of their football schedule.
Thanks to Friday’s 21-17 come-from-behind win on the road against Harlingen South, the Eagles captured their fifth straight victory and now stand 5-1 overall and 3-0 in District 32-6A. Hanna shares the 32-6A lead with San Benito and Harlingen High, all at 3-0.
The Eagles’ looming challenges down the stretch of the regular season begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Los Fresnos (2-1) at Sams Memorial Stadium. After the Falcons, Hanna completes its 32-6A schedule against San Benito, Harlingen High and Weslaco East.
Yes, what’s ahead presents a stern test, but the Hanna players believe they have gained strength, unity and cohesion.
The Eagles are playing for each other, and that’s the way it should be, they say.
“We knew from the start of the season we were going to have a team that would be something special,” said Joe Cavazos III, a senior who started the season at quarterback before getting hurt. “This (strong start) gives us a lot of confidence going into (what’s ahead in) district play. We’re all here (at practice) and working hard everyday with the same goal in mind, which is to win district.”
While Cavazos was out with his injury, sophomore Victor Campos stepped in and has done a solid job at QB. Cavazos now is lining up at his old position as a wide receiver. At times, Cavazos also plays in the defensive secondary.
“I’m just happy to be back on the field and playing with my team — anywhere they need me is where I’ll be,” said Cavazos, who missed multiple games early in the season due to his injury.
Added Campos, “It’s been a little crazy because I started the season as the third-string quarterback, but when Joe got hurt, I knew I had to step up. Coach (Mark) Guess told me I had to do what I had to do.
“Everyday in practice we’ve been telling each other it’s going to be a good season,” Campos added. “I’ve just been learning from everyone else. Everyone’s working hard and I’m gaining confidence as the QB with each game.”
Hanna fields a productive offense fueled by its rushing attack behind running backs Cesar Mancias, Aaron Frausto and others, while the Eagles boast a defense that can make stops and come up with big plays.
Mancias, a junior, continues to spark the Eagles’ ground game and already is halfway to a 1,000-yard season rushing the ball. He averages 8 yards per carry.
At the midpoint of the season, the Hanna offense ranked fourth in 32-6A with an average of 363 yards per game, while the Eagles ranked third defensively in district, allowing 289 yards per contest.
Matthew Garcia, a senior free safety for the Eagles, said the team has a lot of togetherness, especially on defense.
“I trust these guys,” said Garcia, who has returned two interceptions for touchdowns so far this season. “We’ve been playing together for a couple of years now and we know each other. It makes us great on defense knowing we can make plays. We give each other a pat on the back because it’s a team, you know.
“All of us have the same work ethic,” he added. “We all put in the same strong effort every Friday night.”
Mark Guess, now in his second season as Hanna’s head coach, is upbeat about his team’s play.
“We’ve certainly made a lot of strides since last year,” Guess said. “We’ve already eclipsed our win total (of three games) from a season ago, so we already know we’re well ahead of where we were last year.
“The good thing is we had a great offseason and got bigger, faster and stronger,” he added. “I think those results are starting to show on the field. The unity and camaraderie among these guys is unlike anything
I’ve ever seen before on the football field. I believe our chemistry and work ethic is really what is paying off for us.”
The success the Eagles are enjoying comes with a pair of new coaches on the staff — Steve Marroquin as offensive coordinator and J.C. Ramirez as defensive coordinator.
“I give a lot of props to our coaches,” Cavazos said. “We have a new offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator. We’re trusting in the system, and as players, we just let them teach us so we can produce on the field for them.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess