By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers have been running early and often this season. After five games, the Chargers have racked up 1,452 yards on the ground, an average of 290 yards per game.
Quarterback Marcus Castillo and running backs Derrik Rodriguez and Carlos Garza are each in the top five for rushing for District 32-6A. All have amassed more than 400 yards, and the trio has combined for 14 touchdowns.
It helps to have an experienced offensive line leading the way.
“It all starts with the big boys up front,” Brownsville Veterans offensive coordinator Sam Montalvo said. “To be successful you have to control the trenches, and they’ve been able to do that, especially the last two weeks. We don’t’ really pay attention to (the stats), we just want to take every Friday night one at a time.”
That experience has made the difference. Four seniors — Bryan Lawrence, Erick Vazquez, Mario Gomez and Gage Rivas — and junior Jorge Montelongo either started or received plenty of playing time last season for the Chargers’ offense.
It’s shown in the stats, but in the Chargers’ record as well. Brownsville Veterans is 4-1 overall, 2-0 in district and tied atop the standings with Harlingen High and San Benito .
“We have some experience back, and a year of varsity experience just makes you so much better,” Montalvo said. “Last year we were pretty young, and I think that’s helped a lot. It’s a credit to our offensive line coaches as well, Coach (Gilbert) Meyers and Coach (Fausto) Atkinson. They’ve both done a fantastic job with them this year.”
But it didn’t happen overnight. The front five worked together in the offseason to get even better.
“I feel a lot of it has been our hard work,” Lawrencesaid, speaking for his fellow linemen. “We’re unified, like brothers. I feel like the hard work we put in over the summer and here at practice every day on the sleds, that’s just made us better. I think that’s made us even better than last year.”
Montalvo agreed.
“They’ve done a very good job preparing themselvesfor the season,” he said. “That’s why we’ve been able to do what we’ve been able to do.”
The Chargers’ offensive coordinator said the team is running a more complex offense than last season.
“The experience is showing on Friday nights,” Montalvo said. “But it comes down to the kids up front. We really have some good kids that work really hard.”
Lawrencesaid the offensive line doesn’t mind being out of the limelight.
“We see (the stats) and that’s pride for us,” he said. “We’re behind the scenes. (The running backs) may get all the glory, but it’s us in the trenches, (we’re) proud to see that after all the work we’ve put in.”
Castillo, Rodriguez and Garza make sure the offensive line knows how much they appreciate them.
“They do love us. They (always) acknowledge the hard work we do for them,” Lawrence said. “But we’re humble, we know it’s all about the score and our record. That’s the priority.”
Although there is one thing that the Chargers’ offensive line isn’t humble about.
“Our goal is to be the best offensive line in the district, if not the Valley,” Lawrence said. That’s our sole goal, to be the best that we can, better than everyone else. I feel like it’s shown so far.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter, he’s @andrewmcrum.