Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Ask any coach that ever had to face a Devine football team over the last 25-30 years what was one thing they would remember, and it would always be how physical those Warhorse kids were even though they were undersized a majority of the time.
New Devine Defensive Coordinator Danny Sanchez had heard those same rumors prior to accepting a position on Head Coach Paul Gomez’s staff, and now, he has seen it up close and personal.
“One of the main reasons I came to Devine was to coach tough nosed kids,” Sanchez stated after the Warhorses battled perennial-powerhouse Navarro in their second and final scrimmage prior to their season-opener versus Randolph. “This past Thursday, the Warhorses did not disappoint!”
Coach Sanchez’s deep and multiple-styled defense flew around the field relentlessly against the Panthers, something he hopes to see much more of over the course of the next 10-plus ballgames.
“I feel confident that the defense will contribute mightily to the team as we expect to create turnovers, and to pressure offenses with multiple looks and various stunts.”
Devine’s defensive front made quite the impression in Navarro.
“Our defensive line set the tone in the trench and controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the night. We got impressive play by Izzy Reyes, EJ Gonzales, Nate Martinez, Trystan Lafond, and Gavin Socarras, and Jackson Hagdorn showed the depth, and strength, of the unit and also showed why we plan to rely heavily on our ‘bigs’ this season.”
Sanchez also spoke highly of his linebacker unit, saying, “I was and continue to be extremely impressed with the play of Matt Gomez, Riley Gutierrez, Edward Perez, Jayson Ramirez, Eli Contreras and especially Ty Sadler this past weekend. These young men made correct reads and filled the running lanes with impunity.”
As long as the front and the backers continue playing as Sanchez described, it will allow some freedom for secondary players to concentrate on coverages primarily while picking off some passes as well.
Navarro challenged the secondary a few times in the scrimmage, but Sanchez liked the ferocity those back end players showed when they were heavily counted on for run support.
“Led by Ayden Leal, Wero Torres, Mario Vicente, and Brayden Reyes, they were challenged often with Navarro’s passing game, but they passed those challenges with flying colors as they showed discipline and the willingness to fill the alley and add on to the run game.”