BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela quarterback Nathan Garcia was the key to the SaberCats’ offense last season.
He is graduating this spring, and the SaberCats are seeking to replace his production.
Over his career, Garcia passed for 4,571 yards and 47 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,034 yards and 15 TDs.
While all of his production may not come from one place next season, the SaberCats hope to reach similar numbers with the 2018 offense.
One of the biggest reasons for optimism is the move of sophomore Daniel Enriquez. The stellar athlete played all over the field last year. His home base was defensive back, but he also returned kicks and punts, and he occasionally snuck into the offense. His play in the return game — kicks, punts, interceptions and fumbles — was just what the Vela coaches needed to see to trust him with one of the most pivotal roles on the team.
“(Enriquez) has been spending a lot of time getting reps on the offensive side,” Vela coach John Campbell said. “We have him filling in where Brandon Guzman was playing last year.”
Last season, Guzman hauled in 41 catches in the slot for 682 yards — second most on the team. He was also a strong option to take an end-around and try to find some running room, which is something that should suit Enriquez well.
“This opportunity feels really great,” Enriquez said. “It is a dream come true.”
Growing up, Daniel Enriquez and his older brother Nick played a lot of receiver. When Nick reached high school, he started playing on the defensive side, and Daniel eventually followed.
Nick will be graduating this year, and Daniel hopes his move back to offense as a junior next season will be the spark the SaberCats need to help fill the vacancy left by Garcia.
Of course, Enriquez will not be alone in hauling in passes next year. Returning are Aziel Garcia (601 yards), Justin Cantu (833) and Nico Rodriguez (325).
“I’m really excited about our group of receivers,” Enriquez said. “Even the newcomers, coming up, Joe Ramirez, Kevin Rojas, Matt Lopez, Leo Mackenzie, all of these new receivers. They are all going to do good.”
UNDER CENTER
The biggest piece of the puzzle on offense for Vela is the quarterback, and the team still isn’t sure who will get the nod.
“It’s up in the air,” Campbell said. “We have AJ Sotello, who has been doing a really, really good job. We feel good about Elijah (Trujillo), who has been doing well also. And then we have a move in, so we have some bodies.”
Vela also has some younger players moving up to varsity who may have a chance to sneak into the competition in the fall.
Sotello, a freshman, made one appearance for varsity last year.
Sotello also plays baseball, which has limited the time he has been available for spring football.
“They are playing with confidence right now,” junior running back Aaron Alvarez said. “It will be a fight to see who starts, and whoever wins the job, we know they can get the job done.”
Two of Vela’s receivers, Cantu and Aziel Garcia, have played quarterback in the past, as well.
The picture will become clearer after 7-on-7 and fall preseason, but the SaberCats are confident in the skill they have.
TWO-HEADED MONSTER
Alvarez, last year’s leading rusher, will return to the backfield, but he will not be alone.
“We feel really good about the running back position,” Campbell said. “We have Aaron coming back, we have Cristian Flores over here, and we have Kevin McKinney, who has experience. So, we feel good about that. We feel like we are in a situation where the quarterback won’t have to carry as much of the weight.”
Flores transferred to Vela from Edinburg North, where he played last season after transferring out of Vela during his sophomore year.
In 2016, Flores put up 984 rushing yards and 11 TDs for Vela. Last year for the Cougars, Flores rushed for 1,244 yards and 13 TDs.
“We are close friends from last time he was here,” Alvarez said of Flores. “I am glad to have him back. He is a good running back, and I’m glad I will be blocking for him this year.”
The SaberCats plan to run a decent amount of offensive plays with both Alvarez and Flores on the field.
“I actually played with (Flores) freshman year,” Enriquez said. “Cristian is actually a really good ballplayer. He’s going to do big things this year. … It’s really exciting, because now we can use Aaron and Cristian together — dual threat. They are going to be unstoppable.”
EDINBURG VELA
Returning starters (O/D): 5/8
Key Players: WR Daniel Enriquez, WR Justin Cantu, RB Aaron Alvarez, DL Sergio Carrizales, LB Luis Gutierrez, DB Justice Rivera.
Coach: John Campbell, second year
2017 Record: 12-1, 7-0