El Paso’s Burges Mustangs On “Payback Tour 2011″

By Christian Molinar
Burges High School Sports reporter for KROD

Walking into the Burges football locker room, the mission is clear. The words, “Payback Tour 2011” hang on the white board, and players can’t miss it.

Cathedral High School was the first on the “tour” schedule. Burges paid back the Irish in a 35-7 win after losing to them last year.

Now, the Mustangs look to continue the momentum and head on to their second stop of the “Payback” tour, when they travel Friday night to Riverside to take on the undefeated Rangers.

“This year it’s all about really getting every team back for the beatings they gave us,” junior linebacker Israel Sanchez said. “This year we want to turn the tables around and return the favor. A lot of games slipped away that shouldn’t have been losses. In my mind, we shouldn’t have lost all those games. Riverside should have been closer. This game will be closer because of this rivalry heating up from last year. The competition between us is amazing and this will be a good one.”

Last year the Rangers beat the Mustangs 41-23.

The Rangers carry some momentum as they also stand 2-0 after beating two 5-A teams in Eastwood and Hanks. Players and coaches agree that Riverside is the first true test of the season.

“They’re a tough team,” senior quarterback Adrian Montes said. “But any team is beatable. We’re going in there for the upset. This is the toughest team we’ll face by far. Everything about them is tough- their linemen are big, the offense is great and the defense is very strong- no doubt about it, but we have the talent to win it.”

The Ranger offense is a pass heavy team that has thrown the ball 64 percent of the time against opponents. Their offense is led by senior quarterback Brian Hinojo, who has thrown for nine touchdowns and run for two in just two games.

“Our secondary has to work harder,” senior safety Eddie Avila said. “We have to stay disciplined with our eyes by staying with our man, have good footwork and not looking at the quarterback. We notice in film that [Brian] Hinojo likes to scramble to extend the play, so by staying with our man, that should force him into throwing it away. That’s what we want. Andrew Hernandez and JB Frontz are their best wide receivers, so we must cover and shut them down. If we can do those things, we’ll will be fine. Our offense can break us away for the win, but our defense has to step it up.”

PLAYER TO WATCH:

Armando Ochoa
Senior- Defensive Tackle, Offensive Guard
6’0, 210 pounds
Wears jersey #51
Last season accomplishments- 1st team All-District

SEASON STATS-AFTER 2 GAMES

Sacks-5.5
Tackles-14
Fumble Recoveries-1

FAVORITE TV COMEDY:

“ ‘Family Guy.’ I love that type of comedy. It’s very simple and enjoyable. Stewie would be my favorite character. It shows that kids do have their own voice even though you can’t understand them. It’s a funny show. period.”

FAVORITE FOOD:

“Bananas. They are a great source of potassium and they taste great.”

FIRST VARSITY GAME EXPERIENCE:

“I was a sophomore and I was scared. I didn’t know what to expect against Bowie. When I went onto the field, I got an adreneline rush and did really well for my first time.”