By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Seniors Abraham Caram and Adrian Garza, juniors Miles Fowkes and Javier Gonzalez, and freshman (and younger brother of Abraham) Gabriel Caram are helping the Bloodhounds” offense put up some pretty impressive numbers this season.
“We knew coming into this season with the running backs and quarterback that we had, we had to really establish the run,” St. Joseph coach Tino Villarreal said. “We have to be a running team when we need it because (quarterback) Kai (Money) can do a good job and pass the football. I’m really proud of these boys because they’ve opened up big holes for (running backs) Mario (Garcia), Anthony (Cantu), and for Money all season.”
“Everyone asks how we score so many points, and it’s not a secret,” Villarreal said. “Having multiple weapons and being able to pick and choose what the defense gives you, sometimes teams are too run heavy and others are too pass heavy. Our offensive line has given us the luxury to pick either play.
“We even trust them to give us a fourth-and-10, a fourth-and-13, and that’s no problem for us to run the football behind them if (the opponent) is going to have five men deep.”
The five players are fine with being rather anonymous. They prefer their work done in the trenches, and the rewards of their toils have come in the win column. That has come to fruition six of seven times this season.
“As long as we can get a space for Kai or the running backs to score, that’s all we need,” Abraham Caram said as the spokesman for his fellow linemen. “As long as we win, that’s the priority.”
The Bloodhounds’ offense is so efficient because of the bond that starts up front with past experience. All are returning starters except for the younger Caram.
“Whatever coach asks us, we’ll perform it to the best of our ability,” Abraham Caram said. “We’ve been together for almost two years, so that chemistry has helped us this season.”
“It is for real, and it’s because of those five guys,” Villarreal said regarding the Bloodhounds’ turnover margin. “Kai has time to read the defense, our running backs haven’t coughed up the football … they’re giving us chances to break the line, hold onto the ball, analyze the field a little better without those blindsides, or sacks or pressures that create trouble for an offense and cause them to turn over the football.”
The Bloodhounds can do multiple things offensively, which has made it hard for opposing defenses to stop.
“We’re able to run the football, especially against these big teams from San Antonio right now,” Villarreal said. “We’re in a good spot to pick and chose and be multi-dimensional instead of just being someone who’s depending on the pass a lot once you get down to these tough (district) games.”
And Abraham Caram and the rest of the offensive line are up for the challenge.
“Every week has been harder and harder, more intense, but we know what it takes to win at the end of the day,” he said. “We’re working hard to accomplish our goals, (including) a district championship.”
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.