By Pete Vasquez, Sports Reporter
sreyna@cherryroad.com
The Alice Coyotes were more durable and faster than the Corpus Christi King Mustangs in their 55-0 season opening win at Cabaniss Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 24.
The deep balls of sophomore quarterback Lucien Cruz to wide outs Justin Arellano, Landon Rodriguez and Matthew Carrillo were electrifying.
“They’re going to help us stretch the field vertically as well as just controlling the ball. These kids show up everyday with a hard hat mentality and get after it. They’re great leaders on and off the field for the younger kids,” Alice head football coach JR Castellano said.
The ground game with Roel “Tres” Gonzalez and Nik Garza breathed new life into a Coyote offense that previously seemed to lack that smash mouth attack. The coyote offensive line didn’t just outwork the Mustangs; they out executed them. Alex Botello, Jose Ramon, Diego Treviño, Fernando Ramirez and Miguel Saenz put in the grind down in the trenches.
Defensively, the Coyotes were physical in between the whistles. Sacks, tackles and pancakes by Tyler Rosales, Jesse Villarreal, Saenz, Dante, Damian and Trey Alviar were jaw dropping. These coyotes led a stout defense.
“These guys are here to work. They give maximum effort. They’re not here to just go through the motions. They’re here to be physical on both sides of the football,” Castellano said.
The Coyotes are now preparing for the Veterans Memorial Eagles who will visit the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium on Sept. 1.
