EAGLES FOOTBALL GRIDIRON NEWS
Eagles defeat the
Somerset Bulldogs 4 to 2
By: Conrado Perez, Jr. – Eagle Pass Sports Central
“Your best and only source for local sports news in Eagle Pass”
The 2019 Eagle Pass Eagles varsity football team mentored by head coach Tom Gonzalez ventured to Somerset, Texas on Friday, August 16, 2019 to give their Loyal Legion of fans a sneak preview of coming attractions with a 6:30 PM first of two scheduled preseason gridiron scrimmages. The predominately youthful Eagle Pass Eagles who were decimated by graduation last season employed the services of several sophomores in this scrimmage the majority of whom were getting their very first taste of varsity football competition on both sides of the ball. The Eagles prevailed in this first of two scrimmages by the score of four touchdowns to two touchdowns.
The Eagles versatile offense under the guidance of offensive coordinator Javier Cardenas is expected to be orchestrated by new starting signal caller Allan Rodriguez as well as their stellar workhorse running back Jose Hernandez. Being the first scrimmage of the 2019 season the Eagles offensive unit utilized the services of several players to get them much needed varsity football experience as well as giving the coaching staff a firsthand opportunity to evaluate the talent and make their final decisions as to which players will earn a roster spot on the varsity team and even a possible starting job. The Eagles used three quarterbacks in this scrimmage with Allan Rodriguez starting followed by Fernando Sarabia and Domingo Fuentes The Eagles offense however did manage to mount three well executed three 75 yard scoring drives scoring drives against the home standing Bulldogs in this scrimmage through the ground and via the airway. The first scoring drive culminated with a two run to pay dirt by running Jose Hernandez. The second scoring drive was capped off with a sensational 50 yard touchdown run by backup tailback Isaac Caballero and the final offensive touchdown was a 75 yard TD pass from reserve quarterback Domingo Fuentes to wide receiver Carlos Santos. Coaches had high praise for the wide receiving duo of Chris Hiller and Cgc Ritchie who each registered three pass receptions apiece to sustain scoring drives. Overall the Eagles passing game found great success.
The Eagles defense under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Roger Olivas who last season showcased arguably the best defensive unit in the entire history of the Eagle Pass Eagles football program was greatly decimated by graduation also. Two of their three returning defensive starters from last year sat out this scrimmage nursing injuries. The vastly inexperienced defense started several young sophomores who are vying for a roster spot and perhaps even a potential starting position made a few mistakes such as missed assignments and alignments which enabled the Somerset Bulldogs two tally a pair of short touchdown runs but those mistakes will be easily corrected by the time of the season opening kickoff. The Eagles employed different fronts and secondary coverages throughout this scrimmage to see how the young players perform and react under game like conditions. But to their credit a few of these youngsters grew up pretty fast during the scrimmage and once they settled down they began to play the typical Eagles defensive style of play. The Eagles defense got into the scoring parade when strong safety Orly Martinez returned a pick six 28 yards for a touchdown. Notable players that had a good scrimmage were Mike Linebacker Jacob Salinas, Free Safety Kristian Barcena, Anchor End MJ McGehee, Sam Linebacker Joe Samaniego, defensive tackle Santana Martinez and nose tackle Tommy Cantu.
The Eagle Pass Eagles will close out their preseason scrimmage schedule next Thursday, August 22, 2019 when they journey to Laredo, Texas to tangle with the Laredo Martin Tigers in a 7:00 PM matchup at venerable Shirley Field. Eagle Pass Sports Central invites the Loyal Legion of Eagles fans as well as the community of Eagle Pass, Texas to come out and support the mighty Eagles as they get ready to kickoff their 2019 season the following week.