The Chavez Lobos ended the 2016 season with a bang. Unfortunately, it was only to finish with a 4-6 record. Chavez opened the season with two wins and lost six of its next seven before hanging 79 points on Houston Math Science and Technology (MST).
The Lobos beat MST, 79-41, to bring up its scoring average for the year. Chavez averaged 30 points a game while allowing 41.
Chavez went 2-4 for fifth place in District 18-6A, just one game away from a playoff berth. The Lobos will reload with a stable of running backs in 2017 and will hope to end a seven-year playoff drought.
Key Losses
OL Alvaro Adams, WR Tavoris Mitchell, QB Devaziea Wilson
Adams was a first-team all-district selection who helped pave the way for a team that averaged 30 points and 350 yards a game.
Wilson was a second-team all-district selection whose main target was Mitchell, the team’s leading receiver with nearly 800 yards in 2016.
Key Returners
RB Dominic Franklin, RB Jaysun Matthews, DB Stephon Ashby, LB D’Marco Horsley
Franklin was a first-team all 18-6A selection who rushed for 6.1 yards per carry and averaged 10 yards per catch with a touchdown. Joining him in the backfield again is Matthews, who rushed for 5.6 yards per carry.
Ashby was a first-team selection on the all-district team and adds experience and leadership along with fellow all-district pick Horsley at linebacker.
Verdict
The Lobos finished strong in 2016, and if they can start strong like they did last season, that momentum could carry them a long way.
The Lobos have firepower in the backfield with Franklin and Matthews, who combined to each rush for more than 5.5 yards per carry and both are threats to catch the ball in the flat or short release patterns.
Having two solid running backs will help ease the burden on a new quarterback, and having experience returning on defense will help keep the opposing side of the scoreboard in the low numbers.
If the Lobos piece it together just right, and get past Houston Heights and its other two 2016 victims, then that seven-year playoff drought could come to a screeching halt.
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