By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Pace offense boasts a number of weapons that contribute to the team averaging 37.8 points per game, but it all starts with the three-headed monster of Jose Banda, Marc Garcia and Ivan Gonzales.
The trio has scored 13 of the Vikings’ 14 rushing touchdowns, and Banda, a three-year starter at quarterback, has taken all snaps under center and thrown five passing touchdowns. They’re ready to lead the way when Pace (3-1, 3-1, second in East Zone) battles the McAllen High Bulldogs (2-3, 2-2, third in West Zone) at 7 p.m. today at Sams Memorial Stadium in a District 16-5A Division I zone crossover game.
A win will get the Vikings back in the playoffs, but a loss will bring the season to an end.
“We’re definitely excited. It’ll be our fourth year in a row if we do make it, so it’ll be a pretty big accomplishment,” said Banda, a senior. “We’re ready to work. It’s kind of, like, a bittersweet moment. There’s some nerves, but my team and I have been doing this for three years already, so we’re used to playing in big games. We’re brothers, we’ve been at this for a while, so we’re going to put trust in each other and hopefully pull out that win.”
Trust in the offensive line is something the Pace playmakers have in spades. The Vikings are averaging 210.3 rushing yards per game behind the big guys up front, and Banda and Garcia praised their preparation and effort ahead of the matchup against McAllen High’s defense.
“We’ve seen that their D-line is pretty good, but I believe our offensive line is better,” Banda said. “We’ve seen that they’ve been coming to work. They’re ready. Coach (Joe) Espinoza does a really good job of getting them coached up to perform really well. We just put our trust in them, and we just hope the hole’s there.”
Garcia, a senior, transitioned to the running back position this offseason after excelling at wide receiver to help his team fill holes in the backfield. Vikings coach Danny Pardo said Garcia’s selflessness to learn a new position as a senior has benefitted the team in a number of ways. Garcia’s skillset creates more options for Pace, and his leadership has helped Gonzales, a sophomore, develop into a starting-caliber running back with 304 rushing yards and five touchdowns to his name.
Garcia has produced in a variety of ways. He boasts 482 all-purpose yards and a team-high seven touchdowns — four on the ground, two in the air and one on a kickoff return. He has rushed for 259 yards on 40 carries and has five receptions for 132 yards. He said this season “has been a big one.” and he’s hoping for more games in a Vikings jersey.
“I was kind of scared coming in at running back because it’s a new position and I had to learn on the fly, but it’s been pretty good so far,” Garcia said. “This is a big game. Win or go home. We’re coming into practice focused all the way through, because the way you practice is the way you play. We’re feeling pretty good, (and) I just want the guys to be focused. Just play as a team so we can win as a team.”
The Vikings haven’t had to let Banda’s arm loose much this season, but Garcia expects Pace’s receivers to make big plays this week against McAllen High’s man defense. Senior Dominik Morales (16 receptions, 149 yards, TD) and junior Alexander Agado (13 receptions, 175 yards, TD) have been Banda’s top targets through four games.
Pardo is expecting a competitive game, but he feels good about the fact that Pace’s defense is best equipped to play offenses like that of McAllen High. Sophomore defensive back Andrew Gonzalez, who has racked up 31 tackles (nine solo) and an interception, is a defensive playmaker Pardo highlighted as a standout.
Junior linebacker Jonathan Lerma (31 tackles, three sacks), senior linebacker Damian Garza (22 tackles, two sacks, INT) and senior defensive lineman Andrew Banda (22 tackles, one sack, one safety) are other top contributors on a Pace squad focused on winning and advancing.
“We’re pretty compatible. It should be a good game, and hopefully we come out on top and keep on moving,” Pardo said. “Of course, our offense is clicking pretty well. Our defense is designed more for open, spread offenses. When we play an open offense, when they throw the ball, we’re pretty good. We use our speed against it, and it’s worked for us.
“The main thing we’re telling them is don’t take it for granted because we’re not in yet,” he added. “We got to win this game to make the playoffs. We still have work to do, have to make the plays and get the job done.”