DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
A lot has gone right during this historic season for PSJA Southwest.
The Javelinas (4-2, 2-1 District 32-5A) have 32-5A’s top running back in junior Jesus Acosta. They’ve managed to stay, relatively, injury-free. And they have a veteran coach in Jesus Reyes whose patience has paid off sooner than even he expected.
But perhaps the biggest thing for Southwest has been the progress of the defense. The secondary, led by the aggressive Jorge Cantu, is not big, but it is quick. The defensive line, anchored by Jorge Sanchez, has gotten better every week. And the linebackers are paced by stalwart Joe Angel Garcia.
For the first time in program history, the Javelinas are averaging more yards gained than surrendered.
“I could not be more proud of them,” Reyes said. “This defense is undersized, but these boys fight. They do a great job of moving on to the next play. They have short memories, and that’s big.”
Southwest is averaging 303 yards offensively and giving up 287.7. The Javelinas allow just over 20 points per game, opposed to when they gave up more than 33 per game each of the last two years.
YOUNG CHIEF
It’s been a rough go for Donna North’s offense this season. The Chiefs (0-6, 0-3 32-5A) are averaging just 12.2 points on 153 yards. That’s what happens when your top two offensive players are sophomores.
The promising sign is the Chiefs have those players, quarterback Manny Ramirez and running back Dominic Ochoa, for this year and the next two. As underclassmen, they are asked to lead coach Tommy Sauceda’s spread offense.
Each has shown the potential to fulfill that responsibility, particularly Ochoa. At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Ochoa is ideal for the Chiefs’ running game, accompanying his size with toughness and speed.
“I’ve always said he can be a very good back,” Sauceda said. “His work ethic has gotten better, and once he learns how to practice at a high level, that will transfer to the games. He’s just a sophomore. He’s still learning how to prepare.”
Ochoa is seventh in 32-5A in rushing, amassing 315 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He has accounted for more than 62 percent of Donna North’s success on the ground.
SURGING ‘O’
PSJA High (4-2, 2-1 32-5A) has experienced an offensive epiphany of sorts lately.
Since giving the ball to senior Troy Flores under center the last two games, the Bears’ offense, which had previously been last in the district and dreadful with a plethora of giveaways and poor execution, is averaging 34.5 points on 289 yards, with demonstrative wins over PSJA Southwest and Brownsville Pace.
Flores adds a running dynamic at quarterback, and his ability to extend plays has opened more opportunities for teammates. Receiver Jerry Perez has become a factor, and fellow wideout Nathan Sifuentes has become more dangerous now that PSJA High has more of a vertical game. Coach Steve Marroquin said he has been able to mix up his offense more, incorporating more passing to an offense that had been one dimensional.
Still, the go-to guy has been senior Andrew De La Cerda. He is unquestionably the rock of the Bears’ offense.
Since Week 1, De La Cerda has embraced being the main guy. The running back has compiled 433 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while adding another 124 yards and two scores on receptions.
“The majority of our kids on offense, only three or four were fulltime starters last year,” Marroquin said. “He’s one that played quite a bit last year, and we needed him to step up. He’s done that.
“He’s very even-keeled and he’s stepped up big for us. He’s always been there for us.”
Now he has more help.