DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — After starring during the first six games last season, throwing for 1,765 yards and 19 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, Mission Veterans Memorial quarterback Diego Hernandez damaged a muscle between his tibia and fibula that abruptly ended his season.
And though Landry Gilpin, son of head coach David Gilpin, came on impressively in relief to ultimately lead the Patriots to a Class 5A bi-district title, coach Gilpin made it clear from the moment the question was asked that there would be no ensuing quarterback controversy.
Hernandez, then a junior, was QB No. 1, and would be QB No. 1 in 2016. Landry, then a freshman and the 2015 All-Area Newcomer of the Year, would be his backup and utilized more elsewhere.
“It brought a smoothing comfort to me and motivated me to work harder,” Hernandez said of coach Gilpin’s reassurance. “I knew I was going to be the man and I knew I had to work for that. I’m more vocal now, I’m picking up on smaller details and that intangible stuff is making a difference.”
Coach Gilpin said the instant dismissal of any quarterback competition was an easy call to make.
“There are a lot of good quarterbacks down here in the Valley and there are a lot of good quarterbacks around this state, but I ain’t trading Diego for nobody,” coach Gilpin said.
Hernandez returned from his injury in January. By the time the Patriots reached the final phase of their football offseason in March, he was cleared and 100 percent ready to go.
By all accounts, players and coaches, Hernandez, who completed 58.3 percent of his passes and averaged 294 passing yards per game, looks like he never stepped off the field.
“He looks awesome,” said Landry, now used as a primary playmaker at receiver and on special teams. “He looks like he’s in full effect already, full stride. It’s like he hasn’t skipped a beat. He’s the most accurate quarterback I’ve seen anywhere.”
Hernandez said the toughest part of dealing with his injury last season was not the initial pain or rehab. It was watching his team play on without him. But while standing on the sidelines for six games, Hernandez picked up on different techniques and reads.
“The pocket presence and the separation between corners and receivers were big for me,” Hernandez said. “Hitting receivers on time as they’re coming out of breaks, I saw how quick the release had to be and paid attention to the reaction of cornerbacks coming out of those breaks.”
Gilpin said the emotional Hernandez has improved most in his poise and self-control.
“He’s super, super intelligent,” coach Gilpin said. “He reads defenses like the coaches who are sitting up in the box watching. He has a tremendous grasp of our offense and what we’re trying to do. He has a big arm and his leadership just continues to improve.”
Though only five starters return for the Patriots this season, they have experience at skill offensive spots with Hernandez, Gilpin, and senior receivers Roman De Leon and Jacob Guerrero, and junior Buda Gonzalez.
“I love being a part of this offense, because you put the ball in anybody’s hands and they make plays,” Landry said. “Diego’s doing a great job spreading out the ball and taking advantage of it.”
INEXPERIENCED BACKFIELD
Gonzalez played running back last season, compiling 375 yards and a touchdown, but has been moved to slot receiver.
The Patriots will lean on seniors Qaulib Limon and Johnny Martinez out of the backfield. Athletic sophomore Jazz Vallejo is the team’s future at running back, but he will start the season at outside linebacker,
YOUNG ON DEFENSE
The Patriots return one starter on defense, senior linebacker Juan Barradas. Most of the players at defensive back are coming off the junior varsity.
Jacob Garcia, an outside linebacker last year, has been moved to safety to serve as a veteran leader in the secondary.
“That’s a young, young group,” coach Gilpin said. “We’re scheming to see what we can do to shore this area up. We’ll have it all figured out by the time it’s go time.”
Coach Gilpin said he didn’t know what to expect from the defensive front going into spring ball. That changed with the improved production of 6-8 players who are stepping up at linebacker and on the line.
“We’re getting things going, especially the defense,” Barradas said. “We know a lot of guys need to step up. We lost a lot of guys and we have to make up for that. We’re all working hard, and that’s what matters.”
================================
MISSION VETERANS MEMORIAL’S PROGNOSIS
Mission Vets has a few studs at key playmaker spots, but is mostly young and inexperienced. That hasn’t deterred expectations. The third round is the goal and the Pats have enough to get there.
Projected 2016 Record: 9-3
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: David Gilpin
Year at school: Eighth
Career record: 47-32