The Parkland Matadors wrapped up their spring practice over the weekend with a scrimmage on Saturday at the Sun Bowl. Interim head coach Eric Frontz had talked about the great opportunity it was to play at the home of the UTEP Miners and saw the culmination of hard work play out on a warm, sunny morning.
“I definitely think we got better during the spring. These kids worked extremely hard,” Frontz said following Saturday’s scrimmage, “It was a productive spring because we got to see a lot of different kids get an opportunity so we’re pleased.”
His team is also pleased with the work they put in the spring, but they know that their work to build off of last season’s success is only beginning.
“I still feel like we need to get better all around,” said Parkland linebacker Davontey Hankins, “There were a lot of good things but we need to work on consistency on both sides of the ball.”
One of the biggest areas of improvement that both coaches and players noticed was the need to build strength.
“We need to work on getting stronger,” said running back Deion Hankins, “Last year, we had speed but we just weren’t as strong as we needed to be. We need to not get our heads down and just keep moving forward.”
-
- El Paso Parkland QB A.J. Briggs (Photo: Tony Venegas/ TexasHSFootball.com)
-
- Parkland WR Zarcariaous Presha (Photo via Tony Venegas, TexasHSFootball.com)
-
- El Paso Parkland RB Deion Hankins (Photo: Tony Venegas, TexasHSFootball.com)
-
- Hankins earned a week four game ball after Photo by Tony Venegas/ Texas HS Football
-
- Parkland DE Nathan Mendoza (91) will be a big part of the Matador rush on Friday against Lubbock Cooper. (Photo: Tony Venegas, TexasHSFootball.com)
-
- Photo via Tony Venegas, TexasHSFootball.com
“We still have a lot of work to do, especially in the weight room,” Frontz said, “We need to get stronger and that was something that was a weakness for us last year.”
One standout from Saturday’s scrimmage was senior quarterback/defensive back Adrian Cisneros. He spent the majority of the time as the second team quarterback, but showed off his athleticism and speed as he broke off two several long touchdown runs and showed off his elusiveness, avoiding defenders and making plays.
Frontz noted that he’ll most likely spend his time in the secondary, but feels good having another option to rely upon behind returning starter A.J. Briggs.
“He did a great job for us,” Frontz said of Cisneros, “He’s a guy that joined us a little bit late last year. We saw him at quarterback but we think he can be a guy that will be a playmaker for us in the secondary.”
As the Matadors head into summer workouts, the team emphasized just how important the summer was to improve consistency and become closer as a team. After the progress shown this spring, Frontz believes he team will be ready for the challenge by the time the Matadors get set to host El Paso Jefferson in the season opener.
“I just want them to understand what it takes mentally for them to be successful,” he said, “They had a little taste of it last year, but we’re not satisfied with just getting there. Our goal is to make it a few rounds deep in the playoffs but I expect these guys to work and I expect them to be bigger faster and stronger by the time the season starts.”
Brought to you by:
