Gilroy offensive line goes about its business without
fanfare
The glory guys don’t play offensive line.
They’re the guys you don’t even notice until they’re called for a holding penalty or a false start.
But ask Paul Gonzales and Travis Reyes the reason why they have been able to gain yardage rushing in chunks this year and they will point in the direction of the O-line.
Gilroy High runs nine or 10 players in on both of its lines. The one constant is Carlos Estrada, who plays both ways. Joining him on the offensive line most of the time are Filemon Bobadilla, Gerry Rodriguez, David Barmore and Valentino Quistan.
“We work really hard,” said 6-3, 275-pound tackle Barmore, the biggest of the quintet. “We lift the most in the weight room. We’re the ones coach likes to say are ‘overworked and underpaid.’ When we go to games, we’re the ones who get shoved in the corner of the end zone (in pregame warmups).”
Whereas Barmore is a two-year starter, the 6-0, 250-pound Estrada is a three-year starter. And when he starts at center Friday in place of the injured Jonathan Bobadilla, Estrada will have started at one time at every offensive line position.
“I told coach I wanted to do it,” Estrada said of playing center. “I have the most experience and I have played every other position. I’ve been working with the quarterback on the snap (exchange).”
After all, Estrada doesn’t want to get “noticed” because of a fumble.
The 5-8, 235-pound Quistan, a first-year starter at tackle, has the typical offensive lineman’s mentality.
“We’re the ones in the trenches where the battles are being fought,” he said. “We’ve learned how to work together. We kind of think alike, and all hang out together. We have a lot of the same ideas.”
One of the ideas is not getting caught up in the Homecoming festivities Friday.
“I try not to get involved,” Estrada said. “This is probably our biggest game of the season. We’re in a big hole if we don’t beat them.”
“We just worry about the game,” added Barmore. “If it wasn’t for us (football team), there wouldn’t be a Homecoming, so we’re playing with that in mind.”
Even with powerful Palma on deck a week later, Gilroy doesn’t figure to be looking ahead. The stakes are too high this week.
“We either win this week or we won’t get in the playoffs,” Barmore said. “If we beat them, we get some breathing room.”
Additionally, a win would keep GHS undefeated in league and set up a showdown at Palma next Friday. It would keep the Mustangs in the hunt for a Tri-County Athletic League title, something unthinkable after the first four games of the season.
“This is our most important game,” coach Rich Hammond said. “This is the game that could make or break our season.”
That means another strong effort from the offensive line, which includes 5-9, 250-pound guard Gerry Rodiguez and 6-0, 235-pound guard Filemon Bobadilla, the brother of injured center Jonathan Bobadilla. They have opened the holes for the backs to gain more than 400 yards the last two weeks. So are they satisfied?
“This week we’ve been working on our pass blocking,” Estrada said. “We need to be more balanced against Alisal.”
That’s just the attitude Hammond likes.
“As a group our offensive line has improved every week, moreso than any other group on the team,” Hammond said. “That’s not surprising. It takes time to jell as a unit.”
