The Española Sundevils have a new senior leader on the football field
Alex Chavez, the starting running back from a year ago, will take over as the team’s starting quarterback in the 2023 season, bringing a new dimension to the team’s offense. The Sundevils provided glimpses of what the offense could look like at the 7-on-7 summer football camp in Taos on June 29.
During Chavez’s year at running back, coach Tylon Wilder saw something special in him.
“He inspires people, people play better around him,” said Wilder, who also praised Chavez’s work ethic and grades. “Every play, he plays hard.”
Chavez replaces Nate Chacon, a more traditional pocket passer (with some running ability), who led the team on and off the field for three seasons, through highs and lows. Chacon had by far his best season as a senior under Wilder’s system, passing for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns.
“It’s been a ride,” Chavez said. “Playing QB, it’s a big step. Just coming in, I’m trying to stay positive, trying to learn as much as I can. Trying to make my receivers actually like me (laughs).”
Though Wilder said that Chavez will be starting, he also expects others, also with speed, to rotate into quarterback.
Chavez still considers himself new to football. He joined the team his sophomore year, and barely played in 2021. Last year, he was the team’s starting running back.
He started the year slowly, with just 120 yards in the first four weeks. But he improved notably as the season went on, becoming more decisive and finding lanes to use his top-end speed.
Chavez rushed for 100 or more yards in four of the final six games, including 170 against Santa Fe Indian School, and four touchdowns against Navajo Prep. His average improved from 3.6 yards per carry in the first four games to 8.3 in the remainder of the season.
For his effort, Chavez was named second-team all-state by the New Mexico High School Coaches’ Association.
But Chavez’s role this year will be completely different.
According to MaxPreps, Chavez threw four passes last year, late in blowout games.
“He can make all the throws that I need, but he’s an athlete,” Wilder said.
At the Taos camp, Wilder was not paying close attention to the scores of the games, but the team was focused on just getting practice reps.
The day’s games were played on 30-yard fields, with four downs and first-down markers, and were two-hand touch games. The 7-on-7 format, though, focuses on passing, while Española’s offense will likely have a more dangerous rushing attack with Chavez behind center.
“Here at the 7-on-7s, it’s the same (offense as last year),” Coffeen said. “But once we get into a real game, it’s going to be really different. We’re going to have a dual-threat quarterback who can run the ball whenever we want, who can pass the ball whenever we want.”
In the morning, the Sundevils played close games against St. Michael’s, who made the state finals in 3A a year ago.
“We’re competing with schools that would have messed us up a couple of years ago,” Coffeen said. “Everybody’s just getting better at their job, getting faster, getting stronger.”
Their offense struggled against Capital, where Chavez threw two interceptions including one at the goal line. Capital scored twice on offense and once on an interception, while the Sundevils were scoreless.
The offense got back on track against Questa, a smaller school, with strong passing plays, including two touchdowns from Chavez to Adrick DeLeon. Both Abraham Tamayo and Irvin Primero scored on interception touchdowns. Against Raton later in the day, Chavez threw a touchdown to Victor Parra, and also threw a tipped interception.
“I don’t put too much stock into 7-on-7, to be honest with you,” Wilder said. “It’s just good for the kids to come out, compete and have fun.”
While he was quiet at times at the start of last year, he is now letting his personality show through, wearing big earrings and running the snap count with a deep voice. But while taking on a leadership role off the field, he is trying to not take on too much pressure, spreading the role with fellow seniors.
“I’m trying to keep my mind straight,” Chavez said. “I don’t want to put all the pressure on me. I just can’t get in my head.”