BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — On Dec. 20, Michael Evans was named the new head football coach at PSJA Southwest.
Right away, Evans knew he would be bringing a new defense and offense to the school.
Defense has been Evans’ specialty throughout his career. He was a defensive coordinator at Los Fresnos for four years before taking the same role at Brownsville Veterans last season.
The key to making the offensive transition easier for Evans is finding the right quarterback. Evans has used spring football to do just that.
“We have a battle between Greg Bostic and J.Z. Zamora,” Evans said. “Both guys are fighting hard. It’s been a good little battle.”
The pair of seniors has shared time at the starting spot this spring so Evans can see both of them with the first-team offense.
Bostic ran a spread offense at McAllen High before transferring in 2015. Evans’ new offense is also a spread, so Bostic has an edge in that area, according to Evans. But Jose Zamora, known as “J.Z.” to his teammates, is a punishing runner, capable of making unique plays from under center, Evans said.
“It’s been a great battle,” Zamora said. “We both want the position, but we both want what’s best for the team.”
Whoever gets the starting spot will inherit an offense that is looking to get up and down the field in a hurry. The new system is a welcome change. Last year, the team ran a Wing-T offense, which meant the Javelinas threw the ball less than 100 times for the entire season.
“It’s a lot more exciting,” Bostic said. “It involves the quarterback more. It involves the receivers more. It’s not just about the linemen and the running back. It involves everybody.”
Despite the position battle, no animosity exists between Bostic and Zamora. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
“Me and J.Z. have a good relationship,” Bostic said. “I have to say he’s probably my best friend out of the whole team. We get along very well. Whenever he has his head down, I pick it up, and whenever I have my head down, he picks me up.”
Zamora tends to have that effect on people
“My best friend is actually J.Z.,” senior wide receiver/running back Andrew Becerra said.
Bostic might have a slight edge thanks to his experience in a similar system, but that doesn’t mean Zamora will be on the bench the whole season if Bostic is chosen. Evans mentioned the possibility of both quarterbacks playing at points in the season, creating a “one-two punch.”
“I would like it if they did each play a little bit,” Becerra said. “Maybe Greg starts one game and J.Z. starts the next. Or maybe Greg starts a half and J.Z. starts another half.”
HANDY ANDY
Becerra leads the Javelinas returning skill players in both receiving and rushing yards. Evans plans to use that versatility in a vital new role. Becerra is moving to the slot, which gets a lot of looks in Evans’ spread offense.
“I’m starting at slot, but they are going to be putting me in at running back, too,” Becerra said. “Whenever I go in, I’m just going to try my hardest to get good yards and run hard.”
Because of Becerra’s experience last year, teammates are looking to him to be a leader in the offensive huddle.
“He is the one who has more experience,” Zamora said. “He has more pressure on him to teach the new players. He has to be the leader, especially with the impact he had last year.”
Zamora said he has embraced the role and is looking to help teammates pick up the new offense.
“I’m trying to get the team together, because we are a little team,” Becerra said. “There are not as many of us. Overall, I’m trying to keep this team together. Me, Greg, everybody, we all want this offense to click.”
STAFF DIRECTORY
Evans isn’t the only new face on the coaching staff.
Evans added Carlos Longoria as the offensive coordinator. Longoria was a head coach at Rio Grande City for five seasons before being reassigned in 2015.
Evans also added David Duty as the special teams coordinator and offensive line coach. Duty was the head coach at Hidalgo for the past two seasons.
Evans said the goal was to find coaches who could help the team right away.
“They were just coaches I saw as good hires,” Evans said. “They are the best people I could find.”
PSJA SOUTHWEST
Returning starters (O/D): 4/4
Returning lettermen: 19
Key players: WR/RB Andrew Becerra, MLB Joaquin Perez Jr., QB Greg Bostic, QB J.Z. Zamora
Coach: Michael Evans, 1st year at school
2016 Record: 4-6