NATHANIEL MATA | THE MONITOR
McALLEN — McAllen Memorial quarterback Sean Skaugen leans his chest forward when he breaks the plane of the goal line — just like he’s running track on a Saturday morning, only in full pads.
The junior expected to be a part of the Mustangs’ 2017 success, but in a much different role than he ended up taking.
“I started off as a wide receiver, and I was actually supposed to play both ways this year, kind of just be an athlete and play wherever I like to play,” Skaugen said. “I like to make plays, and I like to be on the field as much as possible.”
Skaugen played on both sides of the ball as a freshman before he reached the varsity team. In Memorial’s season opener against Pioneer, he recorded two solo tackles and three in total.
The plans took a twist when senior quarterback Angel Almaguer was injured early in Week 1 against Pioneer. Skaugen was called on to fill that role.
“I really like to lead, and I really like to take charge,” Skaugen said. “Being the starting quarterback is a very disciplining role. You have to make sure all your guys are disciplined. You’re in charge of all 11 guys, including yourself.”
Skaugen was under center during Memorial’s two losses on the season — against San Benito and Los Fresnos. Even though he threw an interception in each of those games, he made dynamic plays with his legs. Against the Greyhounds, he ran for a 44-yard score, and long touchdown runs almost became routine. The QB found daylight for touchdown runs longer than 50 yards in five of the next seven games, including two long scores in Memorial’s bi-district win against Laredo United South.
Skaugen is part of the potent run attack that has accumulated 3,571 yards in 11 games, led by Campbell Speights with 1,506 yards. Skaugen is second on the team with 893 yards on 81 carries — 120 less than Speights.
“The great thing about our offense is no one is guaranteed a lot of carries,” Skaugen said. “Some days, I’ll only have four or five carries. Some days I’ll have 14, 15 carries. It depends who’s having a great night that night.”
All three of the team’s top rushers — Speights, Skaugen and fullback Emiliano Cruz — have been Memorial’s go-to ball carrier on certain occasions.
A sprinter, Skaugen had to admit that one of his teammates has him beat when it comes to a foot race.
“Whenever you have that friendly competitiveness, it really pushes everybody to meet their max potential,” Skaugen said. “I have to say Kelechi (Nwachuku)’s got us on that one. I’m not that far behind, but he’s got us on that one.”
Skaugen saw Nwachuku’s speed firsthand when they ran 400-meter relay together last season. The strong safety has been used in the run game, as well, carrying 16 times for 112 yards. His running style is just another in the array of Mustangs called to carry the ball this season.
“We have like a buffet back there,” offensive lineman Ricky Garcia said. “We have all styles. Whenever we need them, they’re there. They always step up and rise to the occasion. It’s great.”
Giving Skaugen the room to hand off or carry the ball is Memorial’s seasoned, veteran offensive line. That group will be tested against San Benito, which allowed only 250 rushing yards the first time they met. Only twice after the Week 3 meeting against the Greyhounds were the Mustangs held to 250 yards or less: against Los Fresnos and La Joya High.
“The O-line has gotten better as the games go by. We got our right starting tackle back — big Cesar (Davila). He stepped up and came back from an injury, and that made a big difference for us.”
Garcia, Skaugen and Memorial’s offense will hope to crack the case of the San Benito Greyhounds, who haven’t lost since facing Laredo United South in the area playoffs a year ago.
Confidence is high at Memorial, and the play at QB is a big part of the momentum.
“Sean is a really good quarterback,” Ricky Garcia said. “He knows when to keep it, knows when to give the ball off. He makes our job easier, because he can get those long yards.”