Every team that beat Pasadena Memorial in 2016 made the playoffs. The Mavericks took care of the teams they should have and played gutsy in the losses to Vidor, Pearland, La Porte and Deer Park.
Memorial ran into a proverbial buzz saw in the first round of the playoffs, though, facing a Galena Park North Shore team that was seeing red all year. The Mustangs throttled Memorial, 55-0, in their march to the state quarterfinals.
Memorial averaged 22.6 points a game, and it started with shifty running back Alex Williams, who galloped for more than 1,400 yards in just 11 games. The Mavericks defense gave up 281 points in 11 games, but 105 of those came between North Shore and District 22-6A champion La Porte (50-14).
The Mavericks are ready to reload and gun for another playoff appearance in 2017.
Key Losses
WR Noah Trevino, OL Ethan Wells, DE Dylan Gonzalez
These three seniors were all named to the first-team 22-6A all-district squad.
Key Returners
RB Alex Williams, OL Michael Caver, DB Joseph Campbell
Alex Williams is an absolute treat to watch. Lining up at tailback — and sometimes in the slot — Williams has moves that can break a Slinky’s ankles. He can start, stop, cut, and rev back up again Reggie Bush-style. And if he gets around the corner or in open field, forget it. He can flat book it to the end zone.
Williams averaged 8.4 yards per carry and racked up 1,408 yards and 11 touchdowns last year as a junior, bringing home the District 22-6A Offensive Player of the Year honor along with it.
Campbell was a unanimous pick for first-team all-district last year as a sophomore, and he’ll be rejoined on the defense by defensive tackle Jesse Facundo.
Verdict
The game plan is simple in 2017 — turn around and hand the ball off to Williams. Heck, grab someone from the student section to do it. Pitch it to Williams. Throw short screens. Let him take direct snaps. And most importantly, keep him healthy.
Though Williams will headline the Mavericks, it will take a complete team effort, especially on defense, for Memorial to challenge for a district title and make another run at the playoffs.
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