For the Escalante Lobos, it’s back to a familiar offense now that they’ve found a head coach.
Jesus Maes, former offensive coordinator at Española Valley High School, was named coach in July after two other men declined the offer to replace outgoing Lobo coach Dusty Giles.
Maes, who played against Escalante as a Dulce High School student, ran a spread offense at Española and that’s the offense he’s installed at Escalante. Giles ran a spread offense his first year at Escalante, in 2006, before going to a run-oriented wishbone last season.
The Lobos took to Maes’ offense like ducks to water, he said.
“They picked it up quick,” Maes said. “It helped that the kids already knew the terminology.”
Maes said it also helps that Escalante’s athletes have a respectful attitude.
“They’re hard-nosed, coachable kids that say, ‘Yes sir, no sir,’” Maes said. “It’s great to have kids like that.”
Despite the late start in finding a head coach, Maes credited assistant coach Thomas Royston with keeping the summer program going. And Giles left the team with solid experience, Maes said.
“These guys already knew the fundamentals,” Maes said. “We were able to take the scheme to the second level.”
Since a difficult 2004 season, when Escalante had to cancel its program due to a lack of players, the Lobos have won two District 1A championships and were district runners-up last season.
This season, the Lobos have no seniors on the team, but there’s a wealth of experienced juniors ready to lead the way.
Justin Atencio, a two-year starter at wide receiver, has been throwing passes as quarterback. He hasn’t entirely given up catching them — he hauled in a touchdown pass from second-string quarterback Andrew Garcia, another junior, in a scrimmage Aug. 23 against Santa Fe Indian School.
“Just as long as I’m in the game,” Atencio said.
Atencio may be the better runner, but Garcia is the more accurate passer — and he ran for a touchdown on a quarterback draw against Indian School.
“We may mix them up for a change of pace,” Maes said.
The scrimmage went in Escalante’s favor; they scored six touchdowns to Santa Fe Indian School’s five. Michael Cano, another junior, scored the decisive touchdown, running the ball in from the eight-yard line on the Lobos’ last possession.
“You dug deep on that last series,” Maes said to the team after the scrimmage. “You were tired but you got it done.”
Cano will likely be the running back in the single-back spread offense. Sophomore John Romero is the fastest Lobo and will also be carrying the football.
“We pass to run,” Maes said.
Sophomore Isaiah Maldonado will be a receiver that Atencio or Garcia will be looking for when they drop back to pass.
“He’s going to be special,” Maes said. “He grew four inches, has been lifting weights and he’s a big target.”
Anchoring the line and making the all-important direct snaps to the quarterback will be junior Carlos Casados at center.
“We don’t get the glory,” Casados said. “For us it’s all about protecting the skill players.”
The scrimmage was the Lobos’ first taste of physical play, since Maes didn’t have them hitting during practice.
“These guys are excited to come out and hit,” Maes said.
The Lobos open their season Saturday by hosting Estancia, the team that Giles now coaches.
“The kids kind of have a chip on their shoulder,” Maes said. “They know I’m not going anywhere until we get that (state championship) ring.”