BULLDOZER
Belen’s Casillas, who’s also a star linebacker, has been the linchpin of Eagles’ offense in their run to the 5A final
BELEN — “Beast,” was how an opposing coach described him.
“Monster,” marveled one of his offensive lineman, Rowdy Robinson. “Animal,” quarterback Zach Halterman said. Any of these words are applicable for Belen High School junior running back Diego Casillas.
Surprising would be another, since this particular player thought Casillas’ 2017 season would be notable for his work as a linebacker.
“No way,” Casillas said, asked if he could have anticipated this type of success carrying the ball for the Eagles. “I wasn’t expecting this big of a season.”
What Artesia quarterback Taylor Null’s right arm is to the Bulldogs, who play host to Belen on Saturday afternoon in the Class 5A final, Casillas’ powerful legs are to the Eagles.
Coming off a season-best 302-yard performance in the semifinals last week against Roswell, Casillas is approaching 2,500 yards — not for his career, but this season.
He’s rushed for 2,439 yards and more than 10 yards a carry this season for Belen (12-0), with 31 touchdowns.
And, oh yeah, he missed Belen’s season opener and carried it only six times in Week 2 against Highland as Eagles coach Greg Henington limited his work as a “precaution” due to an arm injury.
Six times this season, Casillas, a 6-foot, 195-pounder, has topped 250 yards in a game.
Which is why Roswell coach Jeff Lynn called Casillas a “beast” before the semis last week.
“That’s a good word,” Henington said. “That sums him up, it really does. There are a lot of fancy words you could use, but that’s the best one.”
Casillas, born and raised in Belen and converted to a running back just three years ago, as an eighth-grader, said it would have been difficult to project these gaudy numbers.
Belen’s offensive line from last year had graduated, and two of his teammates —including Robinson — asked Henington if they could join that O-line as it retooled. Casillas holds deep admiration for his blockers.
“I was a little worried,” Casillas said of the line. “But those guys (on the line) are the real deal.”
The offseason for Casillas was spent largely, he said, on strength and mobility skills, but he admitted this had more to do with his desire to improve his linebacking than to possibly lead his classification in rushing. If he wants a college career as a running back, he admits he’d better find another speed gear.
“I was expecting more of a defensive year,” he said. “I like defense better. Now I’m starting to move more toward offense.” Starting? A visitor asked. Casillas smiled. He’s already there, the visitor said.
“He’s a downhill runner,” said Henington. “But he has got (moves) as well and he’s shown that breakaway speed.”
And endurance, too. By Henington’s estimation, Casillas is on the field for about 90 plays every game, which translates into nearly 1,000 plays, and countless hits, both absorbed and delivered.
But Casillas and his coach say the running back’s body is holding up just fine.
“He’s tough,” Henington said. “And I think we do a good job at practice of not over-hitting.”
Artesia figures to target Casillas on Saturday at the Bulldog Bowl. Of course, most everyone goes after Casillas, with little effectiveness.
“He knows he’s got to carry the ball, and they know he’s got to carry the ball,” Henington said.
Halterman, Belen’s excellent QB who’s been sticking the ball in Casillas’ gut all year, said his running back has a special quality.
“I’d say an animal,” Halterman said as he looked for that word to define Casillas. “If you saw the Roswell game, in the red zone, he chucked, like, three guys. He’s also shifty, too.”
So Artesia’s defense has its hands full.
“I got all the lineman,” Casillas said confidently. “If they want to stop me, they to have through them first.”