By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — When Manny Campos bursts free from his defender and doesn’t get the ball on an open route, he’s OK with it.
Playing a multitude of roles at Sharyland High, Campos has come to see the game from different vantage points — as the quarterback, a ball carrier or inside receiver — and it’s made him a more understanding player.
“It’s all about communication and trusting your teammates,” Campos said. “I know where they are, and what they’re feeling. I know you could get panicked there at quarterback.”
In those rare instances of missed opportunities, Campos lines up again, waiting for his next chance — to carry the ball again, make a diving catch or even go under center. As one of two returning starters on offense, Campos has been counted on to deliverer in various ways this season, from on-field production to a leadership standpoint.
He’s played inside slot when Seth Carter started at quarterback, and the team has been able to successfully swap the two at a moment’s notice. That’s why the Rattlers find themselves in the area round against Calallen at 7:30 tonight, despite some turnover from 2014.
Campos has thrown for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 65.8 percent completion rate, while rushing for 604 yards and five scores and hauling in catches worth 311 yards and 3 TDs this season. He has a quick release on the ball, and even faster burst.
“He’s a slasher,” said Joe Alex Leal, the team’s lead assistant. “He’s hard to take down and tough to get a solid shot on defense. He can stop on a dime and take off. He’s not a kid who stops and waits to accelerate. He can accelerate on a dime, and that’s what makes him special.
“I call him ‘gato,’ because he’s got cat-like quickness.”
Campos has been fast to adapt to virtually anything. In practice, he splits snaps with Carter. They alternate every five reps, readying either one to start the next game. If one has an off-night, the coaching staff has shown little resistance to switching players.
“It’s been a smooth transition for them and us,” Leal said. “We don’t have to have all these coaches meetings, explaining to them who the quarterback is. They understand their role, and when they get on the field, they can play anywhere and be successful.
“There’s no griping or anything. If you’re hot, you’re in.”
With Campos nursing back issues during two-a-days, Carter earned the starting role. Carter exploded for 247 passing yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 295 yards and three more scores in a one-point loss to Edinburg Vela. After making a switch, Campos took a loss against Roma but was able to lead the Rattlers to three straight wins to close out the regular season.
Last week against Mercedes, Campos passed for 310 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for 114 yards and three more scores.
“As soon as he gets the ball, he becomes a magician with it,” Leal said.
The two have had big moments together and on their own. Campos found Carter on the go-ahead score to help Sharyland beat Laredo Alexander 16-14. A couple weeks later, Campos was inserted in the second half of their game against Mission Veterans Memorial, and led the Rattlers’ winning drive.
“The kids don’t care who’s back there,” Leal said. “The kids love Seth and they love Manny. They’re best friends, so there isn’t any kind of animosity with them. They’re team players. If they’re not team players, they can’t play for us. They understand that.”
At any moment, Sharyland coach Ron Adame understands the game can change course, which is why he believes a baseball analogy is fitting to describe the two signal callers.
“It’s like a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher,” Adame said. “They both play important roles on the team. They both bring great qualities to the table.”
Both came up big last year, when Sharyland beat Calallen 28-0. And now they find themselves in enhanced roles, as seniors, with their season on the line. Just as he has the past five games, Campos will start at quarterback, and the Rattlers will ride that wave of momentum for as long as it holds.
“In my opinion, (Campos is) probably the most unselfish type of kid we’ll ever have a quarterback, because he’s not the type of kid who wants to limelight to himself,” Leal said. “He wants to succeed, and Seth is the same way. They’re unselfish. They don’t care who’s in the limelight. They just love the game, they love the competition, and they’re here for the team.”