BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
Coming into the season, McAllen Memorial coach Bill Littleton penciled linebacker Jaryd Lara in as one of the key players on the defensive side. Through six games, Lara has delivered, ranking second on the team with 65 tackles.
“He’s just a real solid player,” Littleton said. “We expected him to be one of our top guys.”
Lara also stepped in at defensive tackle when the team needed more of a pass-rush threat last week against McAllen Rowe. On the season, he has 2 sacks and 8 hurries.
Lara worked his way onto varsity during the tail end of last season, appearing mostly on special teams. With the graduation of leading tackler Lucas Rios, Memorial had an opening on that side of the ball, and Lara stepped up to fill it.
“He’s just a hard worker in the weight room,” Littleton said. “He got himself really strong. He’s gotten faster. He did the things he needed to do to be a better football player.”
Memorial’s defense has been middling to this point, ranking third in the district with 316 yards per game allowed.
The biggest issues have come in the first half of games, where Memorial has allowed 84 points. The Mustangs have given up a combined 54 points in the second half.
“We’re still a little erratic in the first half,” Littleton said. “Can’t really put my thumb on it.”
Littleton added that he thinks the Mustangs are getting every opponent’s ‘A’ game as a result of the team’s 6-0 start.
He also noted that players are sometimes sacrificing their gap or assignment to try to make a play.
“I think that’s part of the problem: Not that we’re playing too hard, but we’re trying too hard,” Littleton said. “Instead of trying to do our job, we’re trying to do somebody else’s job, also. It ends up costing us.”
STEPPING UP
When three-year starter Frank Melendez went down with a season-ending knee injury during Week 1, La Joya High turned to sophomore Jonathan Gomez.
Originally projected as a backup and special teamer, Gomez has filled in admirably at outside linebacker, making 32 tackles to rank third on the team.
“Jonathan has done a heck of a job for us,” La Joya High coach George Espinoza said. “He’s bought into the program. He’s here every day, and he’s one of those guys that gets pumped up and motivated.”
Gomez brings good size and an aggressive mentality to the position, Espinoza said.
In last week’s 22-18 win against McAllen High, Gomez racked up a team-high eight tackles, including two for loss, and five quarterback hurries.
“When his number was called, he didn’t shy away,” Espinoza said. “He stepped up. And he’s been getting better week by week.”
WELL RESTED
After a rash of injuries played a major role in a loss to McAllen Rowe, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln used a much-needed bye week to return close to full strength.
Quarterback Obed Fernandez is back near top speed after dealing with a lower-body injury, and running back Adonis Barillas is at 100 percent for the first time since Week 2, coach Tommy Garcia said.
The only lingering concern on offense is at center, where Daniel Gonzalez will be trying to play through a high-ankle sprain.
“Daniel is the one that worries me,” Garcia said. “But he’s going to have a go. He’s a tough kid.”
Linebacker Benito Gonzalez is back in the fold after suffering a concussion, and Garcia said he will need his defense at full strength as Juarez-Lincoln prepares to go up against McAllen Memorial’s district-leading offense.
The Mustangs have picked up 538 yards per game, paced by 284.3 yards per game from running back Trevor Speights.
“Trying to stop Trevor, it would be stupid for us to even say that,” Garcia said. “Nobody has been able to stop him. We try to contain him and do the best we can.”