By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
ROMA — After years of falling short of the playoffs, Roma coach Max Habecker Jr. embraced change.
He understood he couldn’t have players go both ways, as he did when he first took over the program eight years ago. Nor could he continue to proceed with a 4-3 defensive alignment that required size. So Habecker made the most sensible adjustment he could three years ago in switching to a 3-4 formation.
With a collection of “mids” — players weighing between 200 and 225 pounds — the Gladiators found how to best utilize their talent, and it’s paid off in the form of two consecutive playoff appearances — after a 23-year drought — and one of the stingiest defenses in the Valley.
“Really, our defense is just about fitting the right pieces into the puzzle,” Habecker said. “We don’t have a crazy amount of individuals that have all these tackles or things like that. The way our stat sheet is, it’s broken up pretty evenly. But everyone goes there, gets 5-6 tackles, and that’s what we preach.
“Everybody does their job, and you trust the guy next to you make the play. Everybody has a role.”
Roma (8-2 overall, 4-2 in district) enjoyed its best regular season in program history this year, after narrowly qualifying for the playoffs in 2014. The Gladiators opened this year 5-0 before winning three straight going into tonight’s bi-district showdown against Edcouch-Elsa.
The success comes in large part from the philosophical changes. With only 38 players, Habecker felt the margin for error was slim, meaning every decision was calculated and debated. The staff chose to keep its “mids” intact, but operating under a different defensive formation, while featuring its size on the offensive line to protect workhorse running backs.
The moves resulted in the Gladiators putting together one of the most effective defenses in the Valley, while producing a ground-and-pound offense that helped it win nine out of 10 games (dating back to last year), before a Week 7 loss in October.
“We can’t afford to leave any stone unturned when it comes to gaining a winning edge,” Habecker said regarding his staff’s decision-making process. “We have to find a way to be successful.”
Middle linebacker Gerardo Gonzalez was a freshman starter three years ago when the team began implementing changes on the defensive side. Right away, Gonzalez noticed how players were afforded more space and more time to get to the ball.
“You could really see the difference,” the junior said. “The linebackers are more outside the box, and everyone played their zone. That’s why our defensive coordinator (Francisco Villanueva) made the change, because everyone was able to run to the ball and gang tackle. That’s what the defense at Roma is all about.”
Gonzalez is the leader of a defensive unit that is largely comprised of juniors. Last year, they came into their own as sophomores, taking their lumps at times. But with eight returning starters on defense, Roma has been able to build on that foundation.
Naturally, they’re quicker on the field. But their grasp of the schemes has also helped accelerate the learning process this season. During the regular season, they allowed a district-best 222.4 yards per game, second only in the Valley to Mercedes (212.9), while consistently holding teams below their season averages.
“I just think the kids take it to heart that they don’t want to give up all those yards,” Villanueva said. “They want to be known as a suffocating defense.”
For a second straight year, Roma finished first in district in yards allowed. It forced 24 turnovers this season, while committing 12 turnovers itself — an encouraging sign for a team that’s continually looking to get better.
“What’s really amazing about this team is that since we’re all young, we know we could still grow a lot more,” Gonzalez said. “That’s what keeps that fire going inside of us.”