By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
The San Benito Greyhounds have one of the best defenses in District 32-6A this season.
Led by senior defensive end and one of four team captains, Chris Padilla, the Greyhounds have been wreaking havoc against opponents’ offenses.
The three-year varsity player, including the past two as a starter, Padilla has shown the way in the offseason and on the field this season.
“Chris is a leader by nature,” San Benito coach Dan Gomez said. “He’s a hard worker, not only with what he does on the field but in the weight room and in the classroom.
“His words mean a lot when he speaks to these kids.”
Those words and actions have meant a lot. Padilla was the poster child for offseason workouts, and his teammates took notice and followed his lead.
“It was all kinds of drills, you name it,” Padilla said of the numerous things he did to get ready for the season, including running stairs, plyometrics and the usage of blocking bags to perfect his techniques.
Gomez certainly took notice.
“He put in the time in the summer, and I think that’s has got him to where he is now,” he said. “A lot of hours in the summertime to get his body in shape and his mind right to give a good example for the younger kids.”
Padilla may lead the way, but he doesn’t take the credit. This squad has a lot of heart.
“This year we have a lot of hard workers on the team,” he said. “They’re coming in the morning to workout as a team. It’s not about me, it’s all about my team.”
Even with a new defensive coordinator and new schemes, the Greyhounds have found their way.
“We struggled early,” Gomez said. “We knew what we wanted and (where) we wanted to be come district time. Now it’s coming around, now the kids have a better understanding of the defense. It has to do with everybody, from the defensive staff to the last man that works behind some of the starters.
“They do a really good job. They take it very personal to have one of the best defenses (in the district).”
Padilla likes to be multi-functional leader. He leads by example in the weight room, but on the field he is the motivator, the one talking to his teammates getting them pumped up.
Padilla has been wherever the Greyhounds’ defense has needed him. He has played multiple positions on the line, and because of that he is among the team leaders in all defensive categories, including tackles, hurries, forced fumbles and tackles.
All one would have to do is take a look at Padilla’s helmet and face shield to see the impact he’s made on the defense. Both were scratched and chipped, with an allotment of jagged colors over his golden helmet.
“Chris has played all across the line,” Gomez said. “He’s very versatile, and he plays each position hard. He’s (been) a big difference (for us).”
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.