By ANDREW CRUM,Staff Writer
Every coach emphasizes offense and defense. Those equally adamant about special teams tend to find success.
Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley is no exception. He views the unit as important as the other two.
“Everything has been pretty consistent, and we’ve done a good job,” he said. “It’s paid dividends for us when it comes to winning tight football games. We’ve definitely have had our share (this season).”
The Falcons have been successful this season because of the importance they put on special teams. A number of plays shifted momentum and oftentimes changed the outcome of the game.
A kickoff return for a touchdown by Raul Lopez against Harlingen South. A fumble return by Fabian Rodriguez for another touchdown. Three blocked punts that were returned for touchdowns. A handful of blocked extra points and field goals by Rodriguez. Another blocked field goal attempt that preserved a shutout against Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
And just last week against Del Rio, another blocked extra point.
The exact significance wasn’t revealed until the final outcome was determined, a one-point victory for Los Fresnos.
“It’s always a big aspect of the game, every point counts,” Brandon Santamaria, the Falcons’ holder for field goals and extra points, said. “In the last game (against Del Rio) we won by one point, they missed one extra point. Otherwise it goes to overtime and it’s a whole different ballgame.”
Rodriguez, who has been involved in numerous big moments for the Falcons’ special teams this season, agreed.
“Special teams is a big part in football,” Rodriguez said. “Not everyone takes it serious, but it helps you out a lot. It’s very important here. As long as we can keep points off the board, it’s going to help our defense and our offense as well.”
Rodriguez said studying film has helped him get his timing down to get to the kicker.
“I just time it,” he said. “I check the movements they make before they snap the ball. It helps me to be able to block the ball and to keep as many points off the board as I can.”
The Los Fresnos coaches emphasize the importance because “anything can happen.”
“When you’re out there on special teams, it’s a big play because the ball is in the open field,” Finley said. “Anytime the ball is in the open field, anything can happen. You know it’s going to be a big play, just go out and get it done, make it happen. And they’ve done it all year long.”
Santamaria praised his teammates for the hard work they’ve put in during the season.
“You can’t coach effort,” he said. “The guys always put in the effort on special teams, that’s what make the special teams special. A lot of people shun special teams, but we always try to excel. There are a lot of yards that are gained and lost in special teams.”
Finley’s philosophy is that plays on special teams are equal to those on offense and defense.
“There’s so much to do in a week, so much to get ready for, but remembering that special teams play can beat you just like any other play,” he said. “You have to remember that, it happens. It’s happened to people we’ve played, and I’ve had it happen to me before. You can’t take them for granted, and we haven’t (this season).”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.