By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Los Fresnos had a good defense last season, one that helped the Falcons reach the third round of the playoffs.
The defensive unit has been even better this season, allowing 254 yards and 11 points per game.
One of the reasons for the improvement has been a position change for James Vela from linebacker to defensive end. The senior played middle linebacker last year, but coaches needed him to switch with the loss of J.C. Garcia to graduation.
“James does anything the team needs him to do,” Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said. “He moved over and played defensive end for us, he’s been very unselfish and has had lots of success. I couldn’t be happier with his attitude, his work ethic and the way he goes about his business every single day.”
It wasn’t easy at first for Vela. He was used to seeing everything from a different perspective.
“In the beginning it was difficult getting in the three-point stance, trying to see the ball,” he said. “It took some getting used to because at linebacker you can see the play develop, see everything develop. But once you’re on the line you only see half of it and don’t know what else is going on. But I’ve gotten used to it. And I like it.”
The Falcons’ defense has more experience than last year, and it has worked to become better at the little things.
“We started doing things more fundamentally sound,” Finley said. “We focused on not wasting movement. Playing with our eyes, not running before we knew. If you read quicker, you know quicker.
“Adjust and react to what your eyes are telling you.”
The development of the defensive improvement started in the offseason, especially in the weight room.
“James is a strong kid that has put ample time in the weight room to build his body up. It’s paying off for him,” Finley said. “He’s not an overly big kid, but he plays with the big boys because he’s strong and he’s put the work in during the offseason. The physicality hasn’t been a problem for him. He’s done really well.”
Vela has 26 tackles on the season, three for a loss — including two sacks — and a fumble recovery for the Falcons’ defense.
Finley said his senior continues to be effective game after game.
“He’s making the plays whether he gets credit for the tackles or not,” Finley said. “He’s worked tremendously hard, and he’s gotten better and better since the beginning.”
Vela and fellow seniors are driven because they want to play deeper into the playoffs this season.
“We’ve pushed ourselves harder, there’s no next year,” he said. “We want to make a statement, something memorable. We were happy to make it to the third round, but we felt we didn’t show our potential.”
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.