By ROY HESS
Staff Writer
Jose Banda’s debut at quarterback helped bring considerable success to the Pace Vikings this football season.
The sophomore signal caller was a key factor in getting the 7-4 Vikings back into the Class 5A playoffs for the second straight season with a runner-up finish in District 32-5A Division I behind Mission Veterans Memorial.
Thanks to his strong showing during his first season as the Pace QB, Banda is The Brownsville Herald’s Newcomer of the Year on the 2018 All-Metro Team.
The Metro area includes Brownsville, Los Fresnos and Port Isabel.
“I knew it would be a lot of hard work, especially starting at the quarterback position,” said Banda, who also plays shortstop on the Vikings’ baseball team. “I had to just put my head down and keep working hard. The teammates I had around me helped a lot, and we had a great line.
“I was satisfied with my performance,” Banda added. “I just wish we could have gotten past the first round of the playoffs.”
With Banda being a dual threat as a runner and passer, it kept opposing defenses off balance as they tried to contain Pace’s offensive attack. On the season, he rushed for 775 yards and nine touchdowns for a 7.3-yard average per carry. As a passer, Banda completed 80 of 160 attempts for 1,132 yards and 12 TDs with just four interceptions.
“We kind of had an idea from the start of the season that he’d be our quarterback,” second-year Pace coach Danny Pardo said. “He took some lumps early on, but it didn’t take him too long to come around. He started to show what he could do (right away).
“Jose did really well for a sophomore (starting at QB),” Pardo added. “Now we’re just waiting to see how much better he’ll become in the future.”
Banda was voted the newcomer of the year in 32-5A Division I as well.
“The thing we like the most about him is he can run the ball if that’s what we need him to do,” Pardo said. “We don’t really like to have our quarterbacks run too much, so we kind of held him back a little bit (as far as being a rusher). We didn’t want to put too much on his plate (as a sophomore).
“(Still,) Jose has good instincts as a runner,” the Pace coach added. “As the year progressed, he’d just tuck it in and run if nobody was open (when he tried to pass). He’s pretty accurate as a passer (and that makes him a solid dual threat). The (other) coaches saw that, too (as Banda was the top newcomer in our district). It’s a good award to receive at any level.
“We’re grateful for what he’s done, and we believe he’ll be a lot better with more experience.”
One of Banda’s more productive games as a runner and passer during the past season came at PSJA Memorial on Sept. 28 when he completed 12 of 20 passes with no interceptions for 168 yards and three TDs. He also rushed 15 times for 104 yards and another score on a 51-yard run.
The Vikings won that game 48-32 en route to an eventual 7-2 second-place finish in their district.
Banda, who started playing football at age 5, said he appreciates all the recognition.
“It means a lot to win these awards,” he said. “It’s like putting my name out there for next season and the one after that. I hope to do even better, and maybe even make all-state, or something like that.
“It’s a big motivation,” Banda added. “I want to keep getting better. I thank God for the opportunity I have (to play sports). I thank all the coaches, too, and also my parents.”