Every player will tell you that injuries are part of football, but that still doesn’t lessen the disappointment of getting injuries in Week 1 of your senior season. Angel Almaguer was devastated after a 12-yard rush against Sharyland Pioneer on Sept. 1 ended with him on the turf, nursing his right knee.
“When it first happened, I didn’t believe it,” Almaguer said. “Injuries happen, of course, and I prayed to God and made sure he gave me the strength.”
He was emotional after the game, consoled by his mother and team. It was a rough sight and the question became: Would the injury claim the season of the speedy, mobile quarterback?
Tight end Josh Sanchez, also a senior, was affected by the injury, as well. It put a damper on the season-opening win over Pioneer.
“I’ve been playing with Angel since freshman year. He really knows what he’s doing,” Josh Sanchez said. “It was horrible to see him the way he went down like that. I knew it was going to change a lot of things, move a lot of people around. I knew that we’d still be able to make the adjustments quickly and put everyone in the right spot.”
Littleton’s choice at quarterback in the meantime was Sean Skaugen. The junior was thrown into the fire in Week 2, when the Mustangs traveled to then-No. 1 Weslaco East.
Everyone in the stands expected Memorial to stick strictly to the run, and for the most part, they did. When Skaugen did step back to pass, it worked well. He tossed for four scores in five passes and helped Memorial knock off Weslaco East 28-14.
In the next two weeks, Memorial lost to strong competition, but Skaugen continued to answer the call for his offense. He did a solid job of filling the mobile quarterback role that Almaguer did so well. Skaugen has 254 rushing yards on the season and a pair of long QB keepers for touchdowns.
“He did an amazing job,” Almaguer said of Skaugen’s fill-in work. “He’s just the way he is. I didn’t need to really help. He’s a great player and a great teammate. I’m just glad that he was there to help our team win against Weslaco East, and he played his best against San Benito and Los Fresnos.”
Skaugen is an imposing figure for Memorial. The 6-foot-2-inch junior is listed as “athlete” on the Mustangs roster, and QB is one of the many places he’s comfortable.
“It’s great to play,” Skaugen said. “I’m the type of person who just likes to be on the field, so whatever position I can play and I can get more minutes. I just want the possibility to make as many plays as I possibly can. Anywhere on the field you can get that opportunity.”
Even as Skaugen started against San Benito and Los Fresnos, Almaguer wasn’t stagnant. Before both of those games, he was on the field at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. He was testing the knee, dropping back and simulating QB rollouts even though he was in street clothes.
The question shifted from if Almaguer would return to action to a matter of when he would be fit enough to run the offense. Last season, Almaguer ran for 196 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 515 yards with seven scores.
Last week, prior to Memorial’s district opener against Palmview, Almaguer shocked a lot of people when he let them know he was cleared to play that week. Everyone knew he was itching to get back, but few expected him to only miss three games.
“Almost didn’t believe it when he told us,” Sanchez said. “A lot of people didn’t believe him actually. But we all knew he had the determination. He really wanted to come back for his senior season, and he said he was going to do whatever it takes.”
Almaguer was sporting a brace on the right knee, but he saw snaps in limited action. He split time with Skaugen, completed 3 of 4 passes for 16 yards and did not have a rushing attempt.
His return was modest, but he’s getting back to where he wants to be.
“I believe I’m already there, but of course I have to take it one step at a time and make sure I’m where I want to be at,” Almaguer said. “I’m there, of course. Everyone can improve. I can improve. We’ll see how it goes throughout the weeks.”
District game No. 1 was an all-around success for Memorial. Almaguer returned, Skaugen did his job at QB and, most importantly, the offensive line and run game were back to its bread and butter.
Skaugen, Sanchez and Almaguer all credited the offensive line for not missing a beat through the QB change. Center Marcus Robles and tackle Rick Garcia were praised by name.
Their work was on full display last week.
The Mustangs rushed for 345 yards against Palmview. Campbell Speights found the end zone four times and Emiliano Cruz punched it in twice. Memorial’s 2017 team looks like it can pull off another perfect district season.
Almaguer knows that nothing is given in district play. With a target on its back as big as ever, Memorial will aim to outwork and outperform its opponents.
“Consistency of course and reputations throughout practices,” Almaguer said. “It’s hard when it comes to doing the same thing over and over. But once you perfect our craft, each individual,l because it takes 11 players to make a good football player and get a win.”
The senior QB will get action against bruising linebacker Steven De Leon and Mission this Friday.
He knows that his injury could have been worse and had a message for some other seniors who have had injuries derail their years.
“Thankful this injury wasn’t season-ending, of course, and prayers out to the players that got injured,” Almaguer said. “I feel good, and we’ll see where it goes from here. I have all the talent around me. Hopefully I can be used to the best of my ability.”