Post by TEAM FALCON on Sept 21, 2011 22:16:43 GMT 3
This will be the Fox Sports Radio 840am game of the week presented by 956sports.com
Listen to Fred Alfaro for scores and updates.
956Sports.com ROCKS!!
Both teams have high-powered ground attacks with talented athletes capable of taking it to the house at the drop of a helmet, but Clint Finley is firm in the belief that the showdown between unbeatens Friday will be decided where it always is: the interior.
“I think this will be won in the trenches, the way just about every game is,” said the second-year Los Fresnos coach, who leads his 3-0 squad into a marquee matchup on the road at Weslaco against the equally unblemished Panthers. “Whose big boys are going to win this game by controlling the line of scrimmage, that’s the question. It’s going to boil down to conditioning, strength, and technique.”
The Falcons are off to a fast start in 2011, with wins against Austin Del Valle, P-SJ-A, and McAllen Rowe, and though the top three runners in the arsenal average 8.0 yards per carry, the heart of the charge might be the offensive line.
“We’ve got four starters out of five from last year, so we feel good about that,” said Finley, who took over for Scott Ford last season and produced a playoff appearance as a rookie coach. “Those guys are experienced and we’ve all put in a lot of hard work. We’ve broken a few big plays this season so far behind that line.”
Los Fresnos can call upon two of the better guards around in Joe Rodriguez and Roy Valdez, 260-pound veterans who open up holes for the ground-pound, speed-of-sound attack. Center Greg Uribe is a junior who has stepped up nicely in his first varsity season, with mammoth 6-foot-6, 275-pound Christian Rodriguez having gotten some looks from college scouts.
“This is the strength of our team right there,” Finley commented. “They’ve come a long way and we’re very pleased with that group.”
So Los Fresnos comes to Weslaco for a Friday night fight with a Panther team that won the District 32-5A title last year. The Falcons own a 5-1 advantage in the series, with last year’s 21-14 Weslaco win marking that program’s first scratch. The first three games were all decided by three points, and outside of a 57-7 blowout win for the Falcons in 2009, it’s been close all the way.
Weslaco also totes a 3-0 mark after victories over Mercedes, Alice, and Harlingen South and its imposing defense is among the Valley’s best. This means the collision between the LF O-line and the Purple D is going to be something to see.
“They have got some heavy tackles and those two big and fast ends,” Finley noted, adding that the entire unit has speed to burn. “A very athletic defense, so we are going to have to come to play. We’re real excited about this game, it’s the ultimate type of game you want your kids to play in.”
Jose Montiel and Jacob Grimaldo are the ends the coach speaks of, and they are playmakers with bulk along with great chase speed. Linebacker Ernesto Tafolla is an experienced hitter and the secondary is full of rangy greyhounds. They will attempt to stop a Los Fresnos offense that has reeled off offensive outputs of 373, 446, and 492 yards so far, with a bushel of long breakaway runs by that electric backfield. The Falcs have gained the lion’s share of yards by the run, but Finley intimated that his team has been working on establishing balance.
“We are a run-first team for sure, and so are they,” he said. “That’s why I say this game will be decided in the trenches. The question is, Who’s tougher? We look forward to seeing if we can keep it going Friday. I think we are going to have to pass sooner or later, especially if they put eight or nine men in the box. You can’t block everybody in that situation, you gotta put it up.”
PLENTY TO EYEBALL
This one is full of intriguing subplots, with Weslaco looking to show the Valley that it has the same magic it unfurled in 2010, when it won 10 times. Los Fresnos is looking for its seventh straight playoff trip and the road starts at Bobby Lackey Stadium.
When the Panthers get the ball they will employ Coach Tony Villarreal’s patented Slot-T offense to throw multiple looks and ball-carriers at the defense. It’s a deceptive, explosive powderkeg waiting for the fire.
“That offense is like a bunch of quail scattering,” commented Finley, and the phrase delivered in his steady drawl is befitting a small-town boy, which he is. “You really have to play assignment football out there, play your responsibility and be in the right spot. If you don’t, they can embarrass you in a hurry!”
Luckily the Falcon D, much maligned the past few years, is coming of age at the right time. Led by some seasoned kids in the secondary, the unit has performed well so far in 2011. Chris Almanzan, a heady student of the game, is at a corner again this year, while two-way difference-maker Christian Losoya has been there, done that in the big games at safety. Finley says basketball player Akeem Simien, a springy junior, has been a pleasant addition to the deep back at corner, giving the Falcons some fliers to slow down the array of interchangeable backs they’ll see Friday.
Los Fresnos depends on middle linebacker Nick Cruz to call signals (along with Almanzan) and make sticks in the heart of the action.
“He’s a good reader, a disciplined kid who handles a lot of the communication out there,” said Finley of his top ‘backer. “We are hoping to get linebacker Benito Mendoza back for the game, he’s been injured, missed the last two. We also have a guy at tackle, Felipe Cantu, who strained a knee and we’re not sure he can go.”
Despite the injury problems, the Los Fresnos D is not a sieve-like entity in 2011, as youngsters like sophomore Mingo Hernandez have come on strong. Hernandez has good size and ran a 16-flat in the 100-meter hurdles to advance to regionals as a freshman. Junior J.J. Hernandez is an up-and-coming end with some heft who will contend with the humongous Weslaco O-line that boasts two 300-pounders.
Other producers on that D are Manny Saldana, Carlos Castillo, and Alejandro Lopez, all of whom have been near the top of the tackle charts through three contests.
One X Factor that will probably not play a part in the proceedings Friday is pedigree. Finley, as most of you know, played college ball at Nebraska and was good enough to make it to the NFL with Dallas and Kansas City. While that is fun to talk about for the media and fans, the fact is, the coach understands that the past has a shelf life when all is said and done.
“Oh, I don’t know, I think that factor wears off quick really,” he laughed. “I mean, I do draw upon my experiences to coach these kids, but they have probably already forgotten that I played in the NFL. They see me on an everyday basis and they know me as their coach. Fine with me, I just want them to listen to me, and I think they do.”
Bottom line, Finley and the Falcons understand what is on the line against Weslaco, which is the chance to set the tone for a 32-5A race that promises to be highly competitive.
“We’re having a blast so far, and winning makes it better,” he explained. “When you’re winning it’s like that, and when you’re losing, it’s bad times for everyone. We started 1-3 last year and struggled, but the kids hung in there and never gave up. That’s the way we are facing Friday, just telling them: “Keep playing, keep playing, keep playing!” It doesn’t matter who’s winning early, but it sure matters who’s winning at the end.”
Listen to Fred Alfaro for scores and updates.
956Sports.com ROCKS!!
Both teams have high-powered ground attacks with talented athletes capable of taking it to the house at the drop of a helmet, but Clint Finley is firm in the belief that the showdown between unbeatens Friday will be decided where it always is: the interior.
“I think this will be won in the trenches, the way just about every game is,” said the second-year Los Fresnos coach, who leads his 3-0 squad into a marquee matchup on the road at Weslaco against the equally unblemished Panthers. “Whose big boys are going to win this game by controlling the line of scrimmage, that’s the question. It’s going to boil down to conditioning, strength, and technique.”
The Falcons are off to a fast start in 2011, with wins against Austin Del Valle, P-SJ-A, and McAllen Rowe, and though the top three runners in the arsenal average 8.0 yards per carry, the heart of the charge might be the offensive line.
“We’ve got four starters out of five from last year, so we feel good about that,” said Finley, who took over for Scott Ford last season and produced a playoff appearance as a rookie coach. “Those guys are experienced and we’ve all put in a lot of hard work. We’ve broken a few big plays this season so far behind that line.”
Los Fresnos can call upon two of the better guards around in Joe Rodriguez and Roy Valdez, 260-pound veterans who open up holes for the ground-pound, speed-of-sound attack. Center Greg Uribe is a junior who has stepped up nicely in his first varsity season, with mammoth 6-foot-6, 275-pound Christian Rodriguez having gotten some looks from college scouts.
“This is the strength of our team right there,” Finley commented. “They’ve come a long way and we’re very pleased with that group.”
So Los Fresnos comes to Weslaco for a Friday night fight with a Panther team that won the District 32-5A title last year. The Falcons own a 5-1 advantage in the series, with last year’s 21-14 Weslaco win marking that program’s first scratch. The first three games were all decided by three points, and outside of a 57-7 blowout win for the Falcons in 2009, it’s been close all the way.
Weslaco also totes a 3-0 mark after victories over Mercedes, Alice, and Harlingen South and its imposing defense is among the Valley’s best. This means the collision between the LF O-line and the Purple D is going to be something to see.
“They have got some heavy tackles and those two big and fast ends,” Finley noted, adding that the entire unit has speed to burn. “A very athletic defense, so we are going to have to come to play. We’re real excited about this game, it’s the ultimate type of game you want your kids to play in.”
Jose Montiel and Jacob Grimaldo are the ends the coach speaks of, and they are playmakers with bulk along with great chase speed. Linebacker Ernesto Tafolla is an experienced hitter and the secondary is full of rangy greyhounds. They will attempt to stop a Los Fresnos offense that has reeled off offensive outputs of 373, 446, and 492 yards so far, with a bushel of long breakaway runs by that electric backfield. The Falcs have gained the lion’s share of yards by the run, but Finley intimated that his team has been working on establishing balance.
“We are a run-first team for sure, and so are they,” he said. “That’s why I say this game will be decided in the trenches. The question is, Who’s tougher? We look forward to seeing if we can keep it going Friday. I think we are going to have to pass sooner or later, especially if they put eight or nine men in the box. You can’t block everybody in that situation, you gotta put it up.”
PLENTY TO EYEBALL
This one is full of intriguing subplots, with Weslaco looking to show the Valley that it has the same magic it unfurled in 2010, when it won 10 times. Los Fresnos is looking for its seventh straight playoff trip and the road starts at Bobby Lackey Stadium.
When the Panthers get the ball they will employ Coach Tony Villarreal’s patented Slot-T offense to throw multiple looks and ball-carriers at the defense. It’s a deceptive, explosive powderkeg waiting for the fire.
“That offense is like a bunch of quail scattering,” commented Finley, and the phrase delivered in his steady drawl is befitting a small-town boy, which he is. “You really have to play assignment football out there, play your responsibility and be in the right spot. If you don’t, they can embarrass you in a hurry!”
Luckily the Falcon D, much maligned the past few years, is coming of age at the right time. Led by some seasoned kids in the secondary, the unit has performed well so far in 2011. Chris Almanzan, a heady student of the game, is at a corner again this year, while two-way difference-maker Christian Losoya has been there, done that in the big games at safety. Finley says basketball player Akeem Simien, a springy junior, has been a pleasant addition to the deep back at corner, giving the Falcons some fliers to slow down the array of interchangeable backs they’ll see Friday.
Los Fresnos depends on middle linebacker Nick Cruz to call signals (along with Almanzan) and make sticks in the heart of the action.
“He’s a good reader, a disciplined kid who handles a lot of the communication out there,” said Finley of his top ‘backer. “We are hoping to get linebacker Benito Mendoza back for the game, he’s been injured, missed the last two. We also have a guy at tackle, Felipe Cantu, who strained a knee and we’re not sure he can go.”
Despite the injury problems, the Los Fresnos D is not a sieve-like entity in 2011, as youngsters like sophomore Mingo Hernandez have come on strong. Hernandez has good size and ran a 16-flat in the 100-meter hurdles to advance to regionals as a freshman. Junior J.J. Hernandez is an up-and-coming end with some heft who will contend with the humongous Weslaco O-line that boasts two 300-pounders.
Other producers on that D are Manny Saldana, Carlos Castillo, and Alejandro Lopez, all of whom have been near the top of the tackle charts through three contests.
One X Factor that will probably not play a part in the proceedings Friday is pedigree. Finley, as most of you know, played college ball at Nebraska and was good enough to make it to the NFL with Dallas and Kansas City. While that is fun to talk about for the media and fans, the fact is, the coach understands that the past has a shelf life when all is said and done.
“Oh, I don’t know, I think that factor wears off quick really,” he laughed. “I mean, I do draw upon my experiences to coach these kids, but they have probably already forgotten that I played in the NFL. They see me on an everyday basis and they know me as their coach. Fine with me, I just want them to listen to me, and I think they do.”
Bottom line, Finley and the Falcons understand what is on the line against Weslaco, which is the chance to set the tone for a 32-5A race that promises to be highly competitive.
“We’re having a blast so far, and winning makes it better,” he explained. “When you’re winning it’s like that, and when you’re losing, it’s bad times for everyone. We started 1-3 last year and struggled, but the kids hung in there and never gave up. That’s the way we are facing Friday, just telling them: “Keep playing, keep playing, keep playing!” It doesn’t matter who’s winning early, but it sure matters who’s winning at the end.”