BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
Edinburg Vela has talent all over the field.
That even extends to the SaberCats’ place kicker. Senior Austin Garza has exploded out of the gate this year to become District 31-6A’s third-leading scorer with 42 overall points.
“He has been consistent for us all year,” Vela coach John Campbell said. “He has worked hard this year, and he is a major asset to our team.”
As a junior, Garza handled kickoff and extra point duties, but he didn’t kick field goals. After Campbell came on board in the spring, Garza got to prove himself in new ways.
“He is one of the best high school kickers I have ever been around,” Campbell said. “When I got here and I saw the talent he had, I knew he could have a good year for us.”
So far this season, Garza is 28 for 28 on extra points, and he has made 5 of 7 field goal attempts.
“You can’t ask for much more out of a kicker,” Campbell said.
One of his two misses came on Sept. 15 against Brownsville Veterans.
“He lined up for a 50 yarder,” Campbell said. “And he just missed it. We have a lot of confidence in him from 45, and we know he can make it from 50. He has hit from 50 in practice, but, of course, practice is different than an in-game scenario.”
Garza was 56 for 56 on extra points last year, but he hasn’t been satisfied with his game. This season, Garza has focused on his kickoff skills. Campbell said one thing they worked on was targeting kickoffs and pooch kicks. Garza has also been improving his touchback rate.
This week, the SaberCats host the PSJA Southwest Javelinas at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium.
“They are one of the best-coached teams out of anyone we have seen this year,” Campbell said. “A lot of credit to coach Evans and his staff. They will have their team ready.”