Kretz, Falcons chase after first 32-5A title

 

By Mike Gonzalez
The Brownsville Herald

LOS FRESNOS, September 29, 2005 — While watching quarterback Brandon Kretz practice on Monday, Los Fresnos head coach Scott Ford couldn’t help but recall the first time he saw the tall, skinny signal caller throw a football.

It was back in the spring of 2002, and Kretz was only in junior high.

“He had a good arm, fundamentally sound,” said Ford, who at the time had just been hired at Los Fresnos. “I knew he’d be a good quarterback someday.”

Three year’s later, Ford’s prediction has come to fruition.

Kretz, currently one of the top quarterbacks in District 32-5A, has been an integral part of Los Fresnos’ 4-0 start to the 2005 season.

But the work has just begun for the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder and the rest of the Falcons, who are 1-0 in 32-5A. With 13 starters back including Kretz, Los Fresnos set lofty goals to win district and go as far as possible in the playoffs.

“We’re off to a good start, but we still have a lot of games left,” Kretz said. “We still have to practice everyday.”

Ford couldn’t have asked for a better start by his leader. Kretz has been solid all around as he’s gone 43-of-66 for 821 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Kretz’ yards passing ranks him third in district. His breakout game happened two weeks ago against McAllen Rowe when Kretz tore the Warriors defense for 326 yards and four touchdown passes — all to different receivers.

“(As a quarterback), you’ve got to have a trigger,” Ford said. “He’s it for us. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way. He’s gone from good to great.”

With a strong offensive line and a quick running back in Luis Campos, Kretz has had little trouble looking for receivers Chris Garza, Jeremy Springer, Esia Rivera and Billy Walsdorf. When he needs to, Kretz can even find Campos in the flat.

He admitted there are no favorite targets on his team since he believes they all have playmaking abilities.

“I have confidence in everybody,” Kretz said. “If the ball is there, the players will catch it.”

Kretz also mentioned how fast his players are.

“Speed kills,” Kretz said. “We’ve had a lot of big plays (from our players) that have turned games around.”

The key for the third-year signal caller has been experience. Coming into tonight’s match up against Hanna, Kretz has a streak of 18-straight games as a starter. The consecutive starts dates back to his sophomore year when Kretz got the nod in the last four games of the season under then head coach Jeff LeFevre. Ford left Los Fresnos for one season to coach at Joshua High School before coming back to Los Fresnos in spring of 2004.

When Ford returned, Kretz went back to what was taught to him in his freshman year — the spread offense. A mostly pass oriented system, quarterbacks are known for putting up big numbers. Even more challenging is running it no huddle.

“It’s real comfortable for him,” Ford said. “When he was a freshman, we started teaching it. It doesn’t bother him one bit.”

Although not monster numbers, Kretz managed to throw for 2,053 yards with 18 touchdowns passes in his junior campaign. The Falcons still missed the playoffs as they went 4-6 overall and 2-5 in district in their first year at the Class 5A level.

Aside from last season’s experience, one notable adjustment Kretz has made is patience in the pocket. The senior said he’s done it this season with more instinct and learning from the mistakes he made last year.

“I’m not trying not to think to much,” said Kretz, who had 13 interceptions last season. “I was throwing the ball up for grabs last year.”

With experience under his belt, it’s not statistics Kretz is going after in his final year with Los Fresnos.

“(I want) a district championship,” Kretz said. “Team success, I have 10 other guys helping me out.”

mgonzalez@brownsvilleherald.com