BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
Coming into Week 6, PSJA North was looking for ways to shore up its defense.
North coach Marcus Kaufmann made the call to return one of his senior leaders to his roots.
Juan Elizondo played linebacker last year. This year, he has been the team’s top rusher, with 344 yards on the season.
“He was playing outside linebacker this week,” Kaufmann said. “He made a bunch of plays. He did a great job out there for us. We figured we could move him over there, because that is what he is familiar with, and we figured we could use some help over there. … He went right back to that spot, and he played it so well that he probably got that spot back. He will be playing outside linebacker again this week.”
Moving Elizondo caused a chain of events for the Raiders. To make up the production in the backfield, Kaufmann moved dynamic junior Arturo Beltran from wide receiver to running back. The move worked for Beltran, as he rushed for 115 yards.
That move will create another switch this week.
“We have one of our DBs Marco (Salinas, senior), he will be playing both ways, as well,” Kaufmann said. “He will probably be playing a little bit of receiver. We are going to get him involved on offense to get a little bit more of a pass threat, because when we moved Arturo to the backfield, we completed two passes after that.”
Kaufmann feels like he has had to find the right fit for his team this year, but he remains confident the talent is there and that they are closing in on the perfection combination.
“The kids are football smart, so they are able to move around,” Kaufmann said. “We only had four negative plays on offense last week. We are getting close. We are just running out of time. We have to win four out of the next five. But that is our goal is to get that stuff done and improve and finish.”