Despite a late regular-season loss to Fort Stockton last year, the Andrews football team still had strong showing during its 2020 campaign.
The Mustangs went 8-4 and advanced to the area round of the playoffs after defeating Clint Mountain View 67-0 in a bi-district round game.
Andrews figures to be stronger this season with a number of returners looking to improve on last year’s District 2-4A Division I second – finish.
Head coach Ralph Mason, now in his 10th year leading the Mustangs, was pleased with the leadership he saw when his team started fall practices.
He believes that will be a key factor if the Mustangs want to advance deeper in the playoffs in 2021.
“What that leads to is a lot of hard work, that’s going to get us there,” Mason said. “Right now we’re in practice mode and we’re either reviewing or we’re learning in some instances.
“It’s just about unifying and becoming one team, one heartbeat. That’s what is going to get you down the road in the playoffs.”
Veteran playmakers quarterback EJ Lopez, running back/linebacker Brock Tijerina and linebacker Luis Cervantes are among the team’s key returners.
Lopez was an All-Permian Basin team selection last year after he threw for 4,174 yards and 46 touchdowns, while Tijerina contributed 592 yards and seven scores on the ground.
Cervantes, a senior, has been starting at linebacker for Andrews since his freshman year.
“We have really got a lot of kids that are stepping up and becoming leaders,” Mason said. “We’ve got a really good blend of juniors and seniors this year that are going to contribute not only to the performance on the field, but also the leadership.”
Tijerina feels comfortable with his new role, getting to take control and teach his younger teammates lessons at practice.
He feels the Mustangs are set up to have more success this season.
Andrews will open its 2021 season with two straight road contests, first against Lubbock-Cooper then against Monahans.
The team will face tough tests against Greenwood and Canyon before opening district play against Big Spring on Oct. 22.
“We were a really young team last year,” Tijerina said. “Our whole offensive line and defensive line is coming back, we lost a little bit of secondary but we still have some good athletes who can come up and fill those spots.
“I think we’ll be a really good team this year.”
Mason senses that this group is closer than any of the others he has coached before.
Like many teams across the state, Andrews felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic last season.
The head coach feels good about where his program currently stands and everyone has handled any new developments.
Tijerina said he’s ready to do whatever it takes for his team to move past the second or third round of the playoffs and do something that has never been done before at Andrews.
“I really don’t care what I have to do to fill those shoes, whether it’s special teams or offense and defense,” Tijerina said. “I want to win a district championship and make a run in the playoffs.
“Whatever the team wants me to do, I’ll do it.”
Although Mason wants to see his team win as many contests as it can over the season, he has a bigger goal in mind for his athletes.
He wants to see them be successful off the field and when they finish playing football.
“That’s my ultimate goal, we want to win games and I want them to be good football players but I want them to be good people,” Mason said. “That’s on my shoulders and that’s what I hope to get out of it.”
>> Follow Chris Amaya on Twitter at @OA_CAmaya
ANDREWS MUSTANGS
— COACHES —
>> Head coach: Ralph Mason.
>> Coach’s overall record: 79-31.
>> Coach’s record at school: 79-31.
>> Assistant coaches, duties: Scott Kello, offensive coordinator; Tom Harvey, defensive coordinator.
— TEAM INFORMATION —
>> 2020 overall record: 8-4.
>> 2020 district record: 2-1 (Second, District 2-4A Division I).
>> Last district title: 2019.
>> Last playoff appearance: 2020.
>> Stadium name: Mustang Bowl (6,000).
>> Base offense: Spread.
>> Base defense: 3-4 Multiple.
— PLAYERS —
>> Returning lettermen: 21.
>> Returning starters: 15 (7 offense, 8 defense).
>> Key returners: Brock Tijerina, 5-10, 188, LB/RB, Sr.; Luis Cervantes, 5-11, 185, LB/RB, Jr.; EJ Lopez, 6-0, 170, QB, Jr.; Zeke Rivera, 5-11, 245, C/DL, Sr.; Andrew Vasquez, 6-1, 213, DL, Sr.; David Zamora, 6-1, 226, DL, Sr..
>> Key newcomers: Jaxon Lawdermilk, 5-11, 219, LB, Jr.; Anthony Trevino, 6-0, 180, WR/LB, Jr.; Shawn Parker, 6-2, 175, LB/WR, Jr.; Gehrig Morris, 6-1, 155, WR/DB, Jr.; Manuel Rojo, 6-0, 180, WB/DB, Jr.; Sebastian Rodriguez, 6-4, 261, OL, Sr.
