EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Bobcats have a chance to win ... even in 3A
The excitement in Ron Gallegos’ voice came through loud and clear. Even though McCurdy High School is stepping up a notch in classification to 3A, the Bobcats football coach is optimistic about what’s in store for his squad.
“We’re experienced,” he said. “All 11 spots on offense and defense are filled with experienced players. We lost only three seniors, but the backups are just as good, if not even better.”
Throw in a strong group of sophomores, many of whom saw action last season, and Gallegos can hardly hide his glee.
“McCurdy is going to be a little better than in the past few years, even going up to 3A,” he said. “Nobody is going to expect it. They’re scheduling us for their homecoming. But we’re going to surprise quite a few teams.”
Since last season ended, the returning players have taken it up a notch or two, Gallegos said.
“My whole coaching staff, we’re just pushing them to the level that I haven’t done since I was in the Marine Corps,” he said. “They’re accepting everything and they’re taking on the challenge.”
And it’s a good thing because not only are the Bobcats facing teams with larger and deeper programs, but also they are coming off a 3-7 season. So that added commitment will be put to the test.
“Since we moved up to Class 3A, people are not going to expect us to be that good,” Gallegos said. “But our summer workouts have been great. They want to be there. And that’s what makes it special. They’re there on time, getting to things on time. They’re calling assistant coaches to open the weight room so they can come in and get in some extra time on their own.”
It helps to have a player like senior Andrew Ortiz, who will be playing all over the field.
“He’s the one that takes the field first,” the coach said. “He’ll start exercises, warm-ups. He’s an all-around utility player. Running back, wide receiver, slot back on offense. Defense, outside linebacker, safety. He will hit you and make you know that he’s there.”
Senior Andres Martinez is another team leader who entered the summer as the presumptive starting quarterback, but he’s being pushed hard for the job, Gallegos said.
“Just because of his position as quarterback, he’s a leader for us, too,” Gallegos said of Martinez, who will be on the field somewhere if he’s not under center. “He guides us.”
As a matter of fact, the competition is fierce for nearly every position on the field.
“I’m kind of flabbergasted about who’s going to start and do what at what positions,” he said. “I mean, I’ve got a senior QB being challenged by two sophomores. I can sit one player down and his replacement can come in and do just as well, if not better.”
For instance, a sophomore class of 11 members are all pushing for starting slots and should all be factors on game day, especially wide receiver/ defensive back Ernesto Martinez.
“He’s a calm, cool, collected kid and when I put him in the right spot, things happen,” Gallegos said. “He’s got the speed. He’s the fastest kid on the campus.”
The plethora of talent has the coach just waiting for the season to start.
“I’ll say we’ll go .500 or better,” he said. “That’s my whole plan. The seniors, they put it on the board. The goals are to win the first game, against Raton, win Homecoming game and make it to the playoffs.”