San Antonio Churchill Looks To Charge Up For Another Playoff Run In 2017

If you were to say the Churchill Chargers would be playing in the state quarterfinal at the beginning of the 2016, San Antonio locals would have thought that you were crazy. Hopes were high after handily defeating their rival, Clark Cougars, in the San Antonio Gucci Bowl, but inconsistency showed as they dropped the next contest to O’Connor Panthers by a hefty margin.

Little did they know, Head Coach Ron Harris and his Chargers had plans to not only prove their city, but the whole state of Texas wrong.With the untimely, tragic passing of senior Josh Pollard, the Chargers strung together a remarkable season for their fallen brother, who turned many into believing this team of destiny could make a state title run.

However, their season would end at the hands of their 210 foe, Cibolo Steele, only one game away from the chance to play for a state championship. With the foundation and culture the departing seniors have left, the Charger faithful have much to be excited about for potential the next couple of seasons.

Key Losses
QB Jordan Billups, LB Cort Jaquess

Two senior leaders, one on the offensive side of the ball, the other on the defense, Billups and Jaquess will be sorely missed next season. Billups, who all but dazzles anytime he steps on the field, amassed 24 totals TD’s (18 passing, 6 rushing) all while throwing for close to 1400 yards. The dual-threat play-caller also rushed for close to 600 yards meaning the Chargers will lose a lump sum of their offensive production.

On the opposite side of the ball, it was hard for oppositions to know acknowledge the presence of Jaquess who recorded 165 total tackles on the year, 50+ more than any other Charger on defense. Not only was the Chargers linebacker a force in the box, but Churchill might miss his leadership even more as Jaquess was known to be a very vocal presence amongst the team.

Key Returners
RB Diego Vela, RB Austin Castilleja, S Luke Rosas

Although the Chargers suffered a heavy defeat to Steele in the State Quarterfinal, one player who seemed to give Churchill some promise looking forward was running back Diego Vela. While small in stature, Vela is an effective runner between the tackles, but can get out on the edge for the homerun touchdown if needed.

Vela is also a reliable catching back, showing he has the full package, schools at the next level are beginning to take notice. Another offseason of experience and the sky is the limit for the now senior, and he will look to best his 964 yards from last season.

Running back Austin Castilleja will also be back as the team’s second-leading rusher. The junior rushed for 695 and four touchdowns in 2016 and will give the Chargers a solid one-two punch in the backfield.

On defense, Luke Rosas will be back and taking on a bigger role in the secondary. The District 26-6A Defensive Newcomer of the year finished his sophomore season with 71 tackles and five interceptions. He was a true breakout in 2016 and there will be more expected from the rising junior.

Verdict

For the 2017 season, replacing the aforementioned stars will be a task in itself. Paired with the fact that the rest of the district is reloading could pose problems for this young group, but with a players like Vela and Castilleja in the backfield, problems such as these could become non-threatening issues. If the Chargers can establish an effective run defense, they will not only return to the playoffs, but a bi-district championship could be in their sights.

As they say, offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships, and the Chargers will have no problem of people taking notice with their exciting playmakers on offense, but to win a championship, their defense will have to follow suit.

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