BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — The music blares over a speaker. Coaches are dancing and joking with each other, while the players are working hard on the field.
A typical PSJA North football practice is sometimes like a business party —fun, but also with a workmanlike mentality. The atmosphere is proof that first-year coach Marcus Kaufmann has made an impact.
“Last year, after practice, we were sore and we would say, ‘Man, we have to do this again?’” senior strong safety Raudel Alvarez said. “This year, we come in excited and are like, ‘I can’t wait to practice.’ It’s fun.”
There is good reason for the excitement. For all the fun and laughs, the Raiders are 7-0 overall, 4-0 in District 31-6A. The key is the defense, the best in the Rio Grande Valley, allowing 170.3 yards allowed per game.
That figure is staggering, considering last year the Raiders were one of the worst defenses in their district. But with a new coaching staff and a switch in philosophy, the Raiders have excelled at shutting down opposing offenses this season.
Last year, PSJA North employed a 3-3 stack defense — three linemen and three linebackers. This year, new defensive coordinator William Littleton, son of McAllen Memorial head coach Bill, and Kaufmann brought in the 4-2-5, with four linemen and two linebackers.
“They were blitzing a lot (last year), which ended up transitioning good for us because those kids were already used to attacking gaps and getting to the football as fast as possible,” Kaufmann said. “We really don’t blitz as much; we let them run to the ball. They are already used to being super aggressive and going to the ball, so it was an easy transition.”
“We are trying to get a little more sound and changing up the coverages,” Littleton said. “We try to be as multiple as we possibly can.”
The system allows the linebackers freedom to attack, and seniors C.J. Gaitan and Leroy Vazquez have made the most of the opportunity. Vazquez leads the team with 51 tackles, and Gaitan is third with 42. They have a combined nine tackles for loss.
“I see the improvement with the new formation,” Alvarez said. “Our linemen are taught to hit the offensive linemen and not let them get to the second level. The linebackers are making a lot of tackles right now. I am seeing the ball a lot more. We are not blitzing as much, so that’s a plus for us, because we get to read the ball. We play 11 hats to the ball, which is better for us.”
Alvarez has been a major factor in his final campaign. He has 44 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. He’s also the leader of the unit, because of his experience and know-how.
“If I was allowed to, I’d hire him to coach for us right now,” Kaufmann said. “He’s that good of a leader. He’s a guy that studies the film. He goes in there and sometimes he sees stuff that we don’t see.”
Kaufmann said it’s often that Alvarez demands something out of a teammate, and the teammate responds with a ‘Yes, sir.’
“Raudel is the best leader I have ever been around,” Littleton said. “I have been around football for a long time, and he’s one of the best. He plays through anything. He does anything we ask. He’s the most physical football player we have. He’ just a great kid.”
Tonight, PSJA North faces its toughest test to date in Edinburg Vela, which has the best offense in the Valley. The Raiders host the SaberCats at 7 p.m. at PSJA Stadium.
“Every day we talk about wanting to be the best,” Alvarez said. “You have to beat the best to be the best, and that’s our task this week.”
[email protected]
