GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — McAllen Memorial cruised to an undefeated regular season last year, but safety Joey Delgado felt the Mustangs defense was consistently slighted. Those who looked at the program noticed only the 60 points per game and the record-setting production of running back Trevor Speights. They often neglected a defense that yielded a district-low 204 points and ranked second in 30-6A allowing 300.2 yards per game.
“Last year, we would get a lot of criticism,” Delgado said. “We were not a respected defense. We were not as strong as we could be. This year, I don’t want any of that. I want to really shut them out on the offensive side.”
Delgado and linebacker Jaryd Lara, both entering their third year as varsity regulars, will spearhead that effort.
With the graduation of Sam Hinojosa — last year’s top tackler and emotional leader — and second-team all-state defensive tackle Ricky Miner choosing to transfer, Lara and Delgado are taking on greater leadership roles with their attitudes as well as their play.
“I do have high hopes for this defense,” Lara said, “and I do see us making a big impact this year.”
Lining up at Will linebacker last year, Lara finished second on the Mustangs with 140 tackles. Typically a major proponent of the weight room — he could squat 515, bench 310 and power clean 285 in the spring — Lara spent his summer trying to stay lean.
He still became more muscular as a result of four weekly lifts, but he maintained his weight at 210 pounds. As he moves to middle linebacker this season, his focus has been speed. From consistently running the 40-yard dash in about 4.85 seconds, Lara now touches in the 4.6 range.
“It’s making a big impact,” Lara said. “I knew I was going to be in the middle, so I wanted to be able to get sideline to sideline. Make plays on both sides of the field.”
Versatility is one of Lara’s strengths, as last season he sometimes slid down to defensive line to provide a more explosive presence.
Delgado offers a similar adaptability, having broken into the varsity rotation at linebacker as a sophomore before shifting back to his natural safety position.
Last season, he racked up 113 tackles and a team-best 4 interceptions.
“Coming from my sophomore year playing linebacker, I really got to get really good at coming downhill full speed,” Delgado said. “So I’m good at both coming down and playing pass. I can do either one. I’m comfortable.”
Both Delgado and Lara will have tougher jobs this year without Miner, who made 127 tackles with 7 sacks last season and proved an anchor on the interior at 6-foot and 280 pounds before transferring to Brownsville St. Joseph during the offseason.
Already, the Mustangs feel they have another rising star on the defensive line in end Frank Opazo, who has shown an ideal blend of size, speed and athleticism.
“(Miner) was a linebacker’s best friend,” Lara said. “He would be able to take on two offensive linemen, and you wouldn’t have to worry about a guy picking you up, because he’d be there holding him for you, and you’d be able to go make the play. But we have guys who are stepping up, and they’re getting better each day, and they’re slowly making it easier for us linebackers.”
NEXT IN LINE
Freshman Campbell Speights has emerged as the leading candidate to replace his brother Trevor, who graduated after last season as the leading rusher in Valley football history following a 3,195-yard, 50-touchdown senior campaign.
Campbell is already on college scouts’ radar for his performance in various camps and showcases, and coach Bill Littleton said he expects Campbell to be an “outstanding” athlete for Memorial. Still, Littleton has declined to make Campbell available to the media.
“I don’t want him to have to go through the comparison of, ‘How are you going to go with Trevor?’ and all of that. I think he’s too young for that right now,” Littleton said. “I don’t think that’s fair to him. He hasn’t even carried the ball yet. He just needs to grow into himself a little bit. Let him mature a little bit, and let him show you what he can do on the field.”
Junior JoJo Williams was in line to compete for the starting running back job, but Littleton said Williams is unexpectedly out of town and yet to participate in practice.
“He’ll be an impact player for us when he comes in here, gets in shape and does what he needs to do to play,” Littleton said. “But until he gets here, we’re going forward and getting another plan put together.”
IN FLUX
McAllen Memorial has already been dealt two blows to its offensive line, as center Armando Garcia will be out about two months with a broken arm and right tackle Cesar Davila will miss the year with a broken leg.
Esteban Perez, Aaron Ramirez and tight end Trey Earhart are Memorial’s other varsity returners up front.
PROGNOSIS
As a result of injury, absence and transfer, McAllen Memorial doesn’t have all of the pieces it expected to enter 2016. But the Mustangs still have plenty of talent old and new to cruise through District 30-6A.
Projected 2016 Record: 8-4
TENURE
Coach: Bill Littleton
Year at School: 14th
Record at McAllen High: 89-57