By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — There’s going to be several points on the board, without a doubt.
Two of the best offenses in District 32-6A collide when Los Fresnos plays host to San Benito in the Brownsville Herald’s Game of the Week during Week 6 at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Leo Aguilar Stadium.
Both teams know how to score and score often.
The Falcons, who average 398 yards and nearly 37 points per game, are led by Rene Ortega, who is one of the top passers in the district and has thrown for 859 yards and 13 touchdowns already this season.
“They’re a very solid, a very good football team,” San Benito coach Dan Gomez said. “They pass the ball really well, and they have some very strong runners. They do all three aspects of the game very well.”
The Greyhounds, who average 455 yards and 47 points, are led by Edward Alvarez and JR Gaitan, who have combined to rush for 1,012 yards and 15 touchdowns thus far.
“They have a very explosive, talented, big, strong, fast offense and their defense is the same,” Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said. “They have the whole package. They’re very well coached. They are definitely the biggest test we’ve faced up to this point without a doubt.”
With both teams so potent on offense, which unit is going to make fewer mistakes? And can the opponent take advantage?
Last week, the Greyhounds used their passing game instead of a usual heavy run game to get past Hanna. While out of the norm, San Benito worked it to perfection, and that could help against the stout Los Fresnos’ defense.
“Every game, you go in with a game plan and you stick with what’s working. That’s what was working, so we stuck with it,” Gomez said. “Whatever the defense gives you, we do our best to take advantage of it.”
The game could come down to which defensive unit makes the biggest statement. The Falcons’ defense is the top unit in the district, allowing 228 yards and 10 points per game. San Benito is fifth in the district at 335 yards and nearly 29 points allowed.
Los Fresnos has tried to keep the focus on getting better at the little things this week.
“We focus on us and get better at being the best that we can be,” Finley said. “We watch film, we study and we try to plan for what we think is coming, but it really comes down to how good are we? We try not to let another team take us out of our element and keep us from doing the things we need to do to better ourselves.”
Regardless of the different approach in practices this week, the main focus is on the opponent.
“Last week’s win was important to our program, but the kids have done a good job of shutting that off after the weekend,” Gomez said. “They’ve moved on to the next opponent just trying to remain focused on the task at hand. That’s a very dangerous and explosive Los Fresnos team with a very solid defense.”
The Falcons know it’s going to take a great effort to come out on top.
“They do a great job in all three phases of the game,” Finley said. “It’s going to take a full game in all phases. We’re going to have to play well in all phases.”
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.