Friday, Nov. 27, 1998

Whatley's switch pays off for Coyotes

Change from two-quarterback rotation has allowed Escobar to shine

By JAVIER BECERRA
Staff Writer

   ALICE - Days before Alice High School's season opener against Victoria, senior Joe Escobar still wasn't sure what his role on the Coyotes' varsity football team would be.
   Last year, Escobar shared time with J.P. Pruneda at quarterback under eighth-year Alice coach Van Tom Whatley's two-passer offense. The two rotated at the position on virtually every play. Neither was able to develop much rhythm or consistency.
   This season, Whatley decided to buck the tandem quarterback system he had employed for the last two years, and gave Escobar the nod to lead the offense, while moving Pruneda to defense.
   It paid off.
   Escobar and the Coyotes meet the Belton Tigers for the Division I Region IV-4A championship, Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Alamodome in San Antonio.
   The winner advances to next week's state semifinals against the Region III champion Nederland or Bay City for a shot at a state championship berth - an opportunity Escobar said the Coyotes have an excellent at surpassing.
   "We've been getting better every week," Escobar said. "We only have two losses, and both of those we should have won. Since Calallen we've been a different team. I think we have a good chance to go all the way."
   The 5-foot-8, 148-pound Escobar has been the catalyst in Alice's offense this season, which has allowed the Coyotes to flourish in both the rushing and passing attack.
   Escobar has passed for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns this season, and has also rushed for 306 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Mike Saldivar has rushed for 784 yards on 101 carries, and has had two strong performances in the Coyotes' lopsided playoff wins over Los Fresnos (32-0) and San Antonio Lanier (52-0).
   "Mike can hurt you," Escobar said of Saldivar, who rushed for 105 yards against the Falcons and 129 yards against Lanier. "He doesn't get the ball a lot, but I know he could easily have as many yards as (Calallen's James) Edwards."
   Both Whatley and Escobar also point to improvement on the offensive line as another reason for Alice's success. Whatley said it all stems from Escobar.
   "The key has been Joe Escobar," Whatley said. "All the kids have done a great job, but Joe has provided the leadership. He's playing as good as his abilities allow him. Joe's been a big influence."
   Alice has rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and passed for 1,100. The Coyotes gained 321 total yards against Los Fresnos and 494 yards against Lanier - 417 of that on the ground - and have raised their per-game average to 330 yards.
   Whatley said it's going to take more than points and yards to stay alive in the playoffs.
   "I don't like to rate the team by the points we score," Whatley said. "Against Los Fresnos we played really well. But scoring 52 points against Lanier is not a big deal. They're not a good team. We'll see this week."
   Belton's defense is allowing opponents just under 200 total yards (119.1 rushing, 78.5 passing) per game.
   While Alice's offense has been putting up big numbers in the playoffs, the Coyotes' defense has been keeping theirs low, having posted two straight shutouts. Alice has given up just nine points in its last six games.
   "The most important part of our defense is being able to read the offense," Whatley said. "We have to read the keys. If we miss, they'll have a big play. With a defense like ours, you have to take chances. They've realized that and done a good job."
   Led by tackle Brandon Bunch and end David Munoz, Alice's defense is giving up just 9.7 points and 189.8 total yards per game.
   With only two players over 200 pounds - Bunch and Munoz - on the defense, Whatley said the Coyotes will have to focus on Belton's various formations and keep a sharp watch on the Tigers ajustments.
   "They're much bigger and much stronger, and can line up and smack you," Whatley said. "We don't know what kind of things they're going to throw at us. We just have to play hard and line up in the right spots."
   Belton has several weapons on offense and has been equally adept at rushing, passing and receiving. The Tigers have rushed for 2,551 yards behind an offensive line anchored by 6-2, 315-pound senior tackle Noah Mays.
   Running back B.J. Soto and quarterback Cody Fredenburg have combined for 1,317 yards and 17 touchdowns. Fradenburg has passed for 884 yards, split between Dontrel Thomas-McCraney (15 catches, 396 yards) and Kory Douglas (19 catches, 308 yards).
   Escobar said the defense has been the main reason the offense has had so much success.
   "They're getting the job done and keeping (the offense) in the game," Escobar said. "They've definitely gotten a lot better. Even though we're not that big, they're still going to have to fight them off. They're going to have to really put some muscle into blocking our guys."
   Whatley and Escobar said the team has undergone a tremendous growth process this season, which has allowed the team to develop a greater sense of leadership.
   "There's a lot more leadership. There wasn't as much last year," Escobar said. "Now we want to practice. A lot of teams have to try not to get bored during practice. Not us - we keep make it fun. Now we have to make it last."
   CLASS 4A
   DIVISION II
   BELTON VS. ALICE
   

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