DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
ELSA — Almost any other year, the 7-on-7 football season would be irrelevant for Edcouch-Elsa. Nothing more than a chance to get some reps, stay in shape and somewhat of a jump on fall camp in August.
But change has graced the Yellowjackets since Gene Garza, head coach at La Villa from 2007-2011 and an assistant coach at Edcouch-Elsa for five years prior to that, was brought on board as the new offensive coordinator in February. For the first time in awhile, Edcouch-Elsa bypassed spring ball, meaning this 7-on-7 season is the first chance for players to acquaint themselves with a more open, pass-friendly offensive style of play.
“We want the offense to be faster, quicker. We want pace,” 7-on-7 coach Victor Urbina said. “When we’re done with one play, our minds should be focused on the next play already. Speed is what we want.”
So far, the Yellowjackets are seeing the benefit of the new look. They are one of four Rio Grande Valley programs, along with Hidalgo, Mission Veterans Memorial and La Feria, competing in the 64-team state tournament that begins Thursday in College Station.
Edcouch-Elsa is in Division I Pool B with Cedar Hill, College Station and Cy-Falls. The Yellowjackets begin Friday with Cy Falls at 1 p.m., College Station at 3 p.m., and Cedar Hill at 5 p.m.
“The way we play together is a big thing,” junior quarterback Marco Aguinaga said. “We’ve played so much together now that we’re beginning to really make progress. Now we’re seeing the results.”
The Yellowjackets have historically employed a conservative offense. The last couple of seasons, they have worked out of a spread alignment but run the ball out of it more often than not. Sixty-six percent of Edcouch-Elsa’s total yards came via the run last season.
But with an assortment of quick, elusive players — like Aguinaga, and seniors Tey Valdez and Andrew Segura, among others — head coach Joe Marichalar’s directive during the offseason was implementing more juice into his team’s attack.
“Coach (Marichalar) believes this is one of the fastest teams we’re going to ever have here at Edcouch-Elsa, and we want things to open up,” Aguinaga said. “Speed has been a big difference.”
The new offense has even allowed the Yellowjackets to find unheralded talent. Guys like junior J.J. Flores and senior Adrian Rodriguez have emerged as potential key contributors after playing modest roles last season.
Success in 7-on-7 is hardly a barometer of how well a team will do during the regular season, but the opportunity to refine timing and coordination between quarterback and receiver is essential for a passing offense that relies upon that relationship. That’s where 7-on-7 comes into play.
“There are different routes. There’s more passing,” Aguinaga said. “We’re going to work the short game more and more, and especially in 7-on-7 that’s giving us a chance to see something that will translate to the real season.”
“The offense looks a lot smarter,” added senior middle linebacker Sammy Alaniz. “There’s a lot more movement and misdirection. They can give it to any guy who will make a play. It makes the defense think, and as a defensive player it keeps you on your toes.”
The top two teams in each pool at the state tournament advance to the championship round on Saturday morning, while the remaining two teams go into a consolation bracket. Each division’s championship game will be played at 4 p.m. Saturday.
“We’re excited,” Alaniz said. “This is the first time we’re going (to state 7-on-7) as a varsity team, but we’re not just happy being there. We want to win our pool and try and make it to the championship.”