BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
Over the past eight years, Mission Veterans coach David Gilpin carefully molded the Patriots into one of the most consistent and lethal offenses in the Valley, a standard the team’s defense rarely matched.
Heading into the 2016 postseason, the Patriots had allowed more points (313) than any other playoff team in District 31-5A. That total was more than 100 points greater than the next highest total: Sharyland High’s 204.
Mission Veterans allowed 29 points per game through the first four games of 2016. This season is a much different story. The Patriots (4-0, 2-0) give up 18.5 points on average, while the offense churns out 472.3 yards per game, tops in the district.
“Our defense is rocking and rolling right now,” Gilpin said. “As a head coach, when you’re clicking on all three phases — offensively, defensively and on special teams — you’re pretty happy.”
The Patriots secondary, led by senior cornerback Aaron Fernandez and senior safety Giovanni Grimaldo, is a big reason for the team’s defensive resurgence. Grimaldo is the team leader in tackles (59), while Fernandez wowed Gilpin in his first full season of football since 2015.
“Our safeties make a lot of tackles because of our scheme,” Gilpin said. “That’s why guys like Gio are out there making tackles. And I’ll tell you what: Aaron Fernandez is playing as good as a corner as I’ve seen in 28 years as a coach. He is just shutting people down. Even the passes that have been caught on him, Aaron is right there in their grill. He’s a heck of a ballplayer.”