By DAVE FAVILA
Staff Writer
SANTA ROSA – Although they’re only three games into the season, the Santa Rosa Warriors (2-1) have already doubled their win total from a year ago when the squad went a disappointing 1-8.
Thanks to an explosive offense that is averaging 391 yards per game and a defense that is limiting opponents to under 200 yards, the Warriors are doing quite well. Last week, the Warriors shut out Progreso 18-0 and in Week 2 the team belted La Villa 45-14. In fact, the Warriors could be 3-0 but narrowly fell to Hidalgo 21-20 in Week 1.
Veteran coach Gus Cavazos, who replaced Arturo Garcia as the Warriors’ head man during the offseason, knew coming into the season that his 2016 squad had the potential to shine, but he did admit that he’s a little surprised at how well the team has adjusted to his new system.
“What we’re doing now, especially on offense, is very different than what they were used to,” Cavazos said. “Our offense is now a very wide open, spread offense that they were not used to. But I knew from the first time that I saw these kids that they were a special bunch with a good work ethic and willing to learn. So, in a way, I’m not surprised at how well they are doing right now.”
The Warriors’ offense is led by quarterback Alex Ayala, who is averaging 56.7 yards passing per game and 7.4 yards rushing. Through three games, Ayala has passed for 297 yards on 21 of 37 passing with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Meanwhile he’s rushed for 272 yards on 37 carries for one score.
But while Cavazos expected Ayala to have a solid season, he received a pleasant surprise when star athlete Leo Lara retuned to the team after initially deciding to stop playing football in order to concentrate on basketball during his senior season.
Lara is leading the Warriors in scoring so far this year with six TDs – two rushing and four receiving. As a running back, Lara has rushed for 71 yards on seven carries. As a wideout, he’s hauled in 11 passes for 161 yards. He’s even played a little QB, going 5 for 10 for 93 yards and one score.
“Having Leo on the team gives us so many more options,” Cavazos said. “He’s a dangerous receiver, but he can play nearly every position and that’s nice to have. Also, Alex is doing well as our QB, but he is also a very good running back so with Leo around we can always switch things up depending on what’s going on in the game. Having those options is a nice thing.”
As for the Warriors’ opponent tonight, Aransas Pass, which was in the same league as Santa Rosa before being moved up to the Class 4A level during the offseason, is still in search of its first win of the season. The Panthers (0-3) have dropped games to Rockport-Fulton, Orange Grove and, most recently, a tough 6-3 loss to Taft.
Last season, the Warriors ended the regular season with a 42-18 loss to Aransas Pass, who was the District 16-3A, DI champ.
And while the Warriors haven’t had much success over AP in the past couple of years, Coach Cavazos said he isn’t concerned with the past.
“I’m just worried out what we do,” he said. “We do look a little at our opponents’ game plan and see that they do, but I’ve never concentrated much on what our opponents do. We focus on our game and what we’re doing. This week will not be different.”