BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
PSJA Southwest had its best offensive week of the season in Week 5.
The Javelinas posted their highest point total of the season (14) and their highest yardage total of the season (245).
A change at the quarterback position sparked the Javelinas, who led 14-13 in the third quarter of a 41-14 to PSJA High. Senior Jose “JZ” Zamora took over for senior Greg Bostic.
“We just changed some things up,” Southwest coach Michael Evans said. “We were having trouble on offense. Bostic had been doing fine. We just wanted to see if maybe having a thicker runner would work. We just experimented with it, and it worked out, so we just kind of stayed with it.”
Coming into Week 5, Bostic had completed 15 of 48 passes for a 31.3 completion percentage. He also had three interceptions.
Against the Bears, Zamora completed 9 of 18 passes, including a touchdown. Bostic had 137 yards through four games, and Zamora threw for 136 in Week 5.
Prior to the switch, Zamora had been used on both sides of the ball: as a running back on offense and a middle linebacker on defense.
The Javelinas kept it close last week, entering halftime down just 13-6 against PSJA High. After the break, Southwest scored first, taking a 14-13 lead. The Bears capitalized on some Javelinas mistakes down the stretch to pull away for the win, but Evans liked what he saw from his team in the first half.
“We had a whole lot of bright spots from the game as a team,” Evans said. “We have been telling them all year that these guys can play football with anybody. The Bears are a great-coached football team, and they played with them. We were playing our best football game of the year, and you could definitely see the belief.”
As for what Zamora’s spark means for this Thursday, when the Javelinas host the Edinburg North Cougars at 7 p.m. at PSJA Stadium in Pharr, Evans was clear about one thing.
“Right now, he is taking the first-team reps,” Evans said. “After last week, we scored the most points all year, I foresee him getting the start. But Greg will be there, and Greg is a team player and he understands what we are trying to do.”
In fact, Bostic will have his helmet nearby, because he may still be utilized.
“He is still a good passer,” Evans said. “And if we have definite throwing situations, we may still take a peak at him.”