DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. is looking for one thing out of every game this District 32-5A season.
“We just want to make sure we keep rolling,” Adame said.
So far, everything’s going as planned.
The Tigers are 5-1 since starting the season 0-2. They are 4-1 in district. It’s been a natural progression for Adame’s team, which returned just 10 starters from last season and has a starting backfield of sophomores Zach Gomez (quarterback) and Fabian Ledesma (running back).
But as Mercedes has evolved, it’s no coincidence that senior receiver Brandon Gutierrez has found his rhythm as well. Over the last three games, Gutierrez has caught 11 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Tigers the consistent outside threat they need to complement a stable running game.
In all, Gutierrez is second in the district in receiving yards, with 413 and four touchdowns, averaging 19.7 yards per catch. Because of the play of seniors like Gutierrez, receiver Daniel Martinez and running back Isaac Vela, the offense has progressed enough to elevate the Tigers into the district title race.
“We know every game is a learning experience for the young guys, and every game we learn from our mistakes and move on,” Gutierrez said after Mercedes fell to Donna High earlier this month. “But we also know we have enough to win games.”
It’s that mentality that has driven Mercedes. True, the Tigers boast one of the top defenses in the Valley, but if the offense didn’t at least hold its weight, Mercedes would be fighting for a playoff berth instead of a district title. It was a concern coming into the season, but Mercedes has been smart with its play-calling and rarely turns the ball over.
Gutierrez, Adame said, has made sure everyone has fallen in line and worked just as hard, if not harder, than last season, when the Tigers won the district title. Adame’s philosophy is games are won during the week. It’s that standard Gutierrez demands from his teammates.
His intensity is a godsend for a team that has found substantial success through what was supposed to be a reloading process.
“He’s one of those kids that give you full effort, no matter what,” Adame said. “In the spring, summer or fall, he’s going all-out. He’s a competitor. He doesn’t like getting beat and he doesn’t like getting tackled. That’s good. Everything’s a competition for him.”
Adame often talks of players who are about practice or players who are about the game. Gutierrez is both.
“He makes practices game-like with his intensity and fire,” Adame said.
Gutierrez is also Mercedes’ punt returner (averaging 16.5 yards per return), and Adame said he has entertained the thought of playing him on defense as well.
But there is no question that Gutierrez’s worth comes as a release for Gomez. Whenever Gomez scrambles, which is often, the quarterback’s eyes immediately turn to Gutierrez.
Gutierrez has a knack for reading defenses and finding the holes to get open. And once he gets the ball, he said, he knows what to do with it.
“My mentality is that no one can catch me, that I’m the best receiver on the field,” Gutierrez said. “I want the ball.”
During two-a-days in August, Gutierrez said making Gomez’s life easier would be key.
Gutierrez said his main objective was “doing everything in my power to get open and make his job as easy as possible.”
He’s done that.
“When he gets on that field and he gets that ball, he’s gone,” Adame said. “He wants the ball and loves the big play.”