Gilroy High travels to take on Saratoga tonight at 7:30 p.m.
The Mustangs had more yards on the ground than through the air – 178 rushing to 113 passing – in their season-opening 35-30 victory over Live Oak last Friday.
Balance is the key this year, and judging by the numbers alone – 21 pass attempts to 26 rushes – the offense’s success appears to be directly proportionate to the sum of its equal parts.
Injuries prevented the Mustangs from being able to fully utilize players at the skill positions a year ago. Thus, a concentrated effort during the offseason on maximizing each player for positive gain in any formation has, after one game, translated into a balanced attack.
“It’s been part of our success in the past,” head coach Greg Garcia said. We want to exploit the defenses to our advantage. If they are going to pack the box, we are going to throw the ball. If you lighten the box we are going to run it.”
Leading the ground attack from the Mustangs’ spread offense was junior Christian Salazar. The 5-foot-5, 125-pound junior also found the end zone three times.
“He has a good knack of seeing the hole early and he is very explosive,” Garcia said. “That ball hits his hands and you better be in the right spot to make a tackle or else he is going to be running.”
This week, the Mustangs stay on the road and travel to Saratoga to face the 0-1 Falcons, who lost 46-28 last week to Santa Teresa.
“The outcome doesn’t reflect how good their football team is,” Garcia said.
Garcia added that the Mustangs defense , which forced five turnovers against the Acorns will remain aggressive against a Falcons team that will run the ball, and run it a lot.
“They like to run the ball,” Garcia chuckled, knowing his defense will have to stay stout against the Falcons front five. “Tim Lugo has done a great job there. They are a fundamental football team, they are very disciplined. They are going to stick to what they do, because they do it very well.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Saratoga.
