Unlike years past, when everything seemed to revolve around an
offense that put nearly a point on the scoreboard per minute,
Gilroy High’s football program is looking more defensive-minded in
its first few practices.
GILROY – Unlike years past, when everything seemed to revolve around an offense that put nearly a point on the scoreboard per minute, Gilroy High’s football program is looking more defensive-minded in its first few practices.
Allowed to begin preparations for the upcoming season last Friday, the Mustangs, who will take on visiting Live Oak Sept. 4, are starting a new era with many key players and a head coach from last season’s team departed.
Greg Garcia has stepped in as coach, taking over a program that has won back-to-back Tri-County Athletic League titles, while senior Nick Marra replaces record-setter Jamie Jensen at quarterback. The changes are noticeable.
“It’s a million times different,” Marra said after Monday’s practice, the first in pads. “Hammond was more of a yeller and [Garcia] is more of come-and-talk-to-me guy.”
While Garcia has tried to keep almost everything the same from the way things worked the past couple seasons, he has added several new coaches to the mix to help keep a watchful eye on everything that occurs on the practice field.
“I brought a lot of coaches on staff so players are getting coached-up on every play,” he said.
The defense looked like it has been doing its homework in practice Monday, as it consistently pressured Marra during a scrimmage while also forcing several fumbles and one interception.
“[Defense] will be the strength,” this season, senior linebacker Logan Sweeney said. “We have a lot more returning guys (than the offense).”
While some players are new, the goals remain the same.
“We’ve been saying it since Day One: TCAL. CCS. Gilroy,” Garcia said.
The chant that breaks every huddle will be familiar and is meant to build the chemistry that was exhibited often in the last two seasons. Chemistry can only go so far if the talent and fundamentals aren’t’ present, though. These next few weeks of practice will be crucial in that respect.
“You’re able to go through full drills at full speed and really work through the drills like it’s supposed to be,” assistant coach Joffre Longoria said.
Getting everyone on the same page, especially on offense, where Gilroy will continue to run its complex, spread formation, which also features the Mustangs going no-huddle, will be vital to keeping teams on their heels. Marra believes that will not be a problem.
“We’re kind of past the point where we;re teaching stuff,” he said. “Everyone should know what they’re doing at this point.”
