Football: Morton Ranch optimistic through growing pains of new regime
Under new coach Nick Cavallo, Mavericks see promise, potential through 0-2 start
Through heartbreak and periodic frustration, Morton Ranch took considerable steps forward in Saturday’s 24-21 loss to Magnolia West at Legacy Stadium.
The oh-so-close result in the Mavericks’ non-district finale stamped growth for a precocious team, with many starters in their first year of varsity play and other youngsters in new roles under a new coaching regime.
Morton Ranch, 0-2 heading into this week’s District 19-6A opener Saturday against Katy, trailed 3-0 at halftime. The offense ailed but the defense kept the Mavs in contention.
Morton Ranch engaged in an offensive shootout with Magnolia West in the second half, putting up 21 points on 217 total yards, as the offense woke up, but ultimately came up short, in large part because of an exhausted defense.
“The energy wasn’t there,” senior linebacker and team captain Jonathan Duarte said. “In the first half, we came out strong. In the second half, the energy wasn’t there. If we come out with that energy that we had in the first half on every single play, we’re going to win. We’re working on that.”
Morton Ranch postgame interviews and game recap
Morton Ranch led at three different points of the second half. The offense established consistency by the line doing a better job getting off blocks and being more physical and aggressive, and the insertion of senior backup quarterback Edward Vasquez.
Vasquez connected on 9 of 12 passes for 99 yards, completing throws to four different receivers. The Mavericks have a litany of speed and athleticism at the skill positions, and they eventually took advantage.
“We made some good adjustments,” said Nick Cavallo, in his first year at the helm of Morton Ranch after six years leading George Ranch. “In getting ready for district, we’re going to face some tough defenses that are predicated on stopping the run, so being able to do some things where you can get one-on-one matchups and loosen the box a little bit is going to be big.”
Morton Ranch’s youth and inexperience, however, showed up. Perhaps that should be expected. Learning how to finish games is a trying task for teams seeking identity.
On Magnolia West’s go-ahead winning touchdown drive with 3:45 left in the fourth quarter, which resulted in a 3-yard catch by Kaleb Matusek on fourth down, Morton Ranch’s defense had penalties of 15 and 13 yards, respectively, that aided the Mustangs’ cause.
Morton Ranch fumbled in Magnolia West territory on its next series with less than two minutes left. With no Maverick timeouts left, Magnolia West bled out the clock.
“I think the effort, the energy is there,” Cavallo said. “We’re just making mistakes, all around. As coaches, we’ve got to put them in a better position. We’re young. We’ve got to do a better job as coaches of knowing that, and simplifying and making everything click for them a little faster until they can get some more experience under them.”
The Mavericks returned eight starters, five on defense, from a 2-8 team. Cavallo was hired in December following the retirement of Ron Counter, who led Morton Ranch the last seven seasons.
Cavallo made wholesale changes on and off the field.
On the field, he brought in three new coaches—offensive and defensive coordinators, and a freshman coach. He introduced a more open, spread offense. A faster tempo. New plays, new verbiage.
Off the field, school administrators are thrilled with Cavallo’s energy and contagious optimism. He has given the whole athletics department a spring in its step.
“I like where it’s going, and I’m hoping great things are going to come from this,” senior offensive lineman and team captain Adrian De La Garza said.
Defensively, Morton Ranch still works out of a base 3-4, but it’s a “broken stack” alignment that demands different responsibilities out of back-end coverage than what the Mavs were used to.
Cavallo said the biggest thing is getting coaches who remained on staff, and there are plenty, used to the new verbiage. There’s growing pains for all involved, not just the players.
Cavallo said everything schematically won’t be completely installed until next season.
“You look at our offense now, and it’s probably not anywhere close to where it’s going to be,” Cavallo said. “We’re not trying to put too much on them. Just finding the things we can do good, and get really, really good at those things and then have a couple wrinkles off of it.”
Cavallo started sophomore Jayceon Jenkins at quarterback the last two games, while Vasquez has also seen significant time. He plans to keep the platoon system.
Jenkins brings a scrambling run element to the position, showcased by a 47-yard touchdown spree in the third quarter Saturday. He thrives when things go off script. Vasquez has more size and is more of a pure passer. He is the more experienced of the two and understands how to manage a game.
Eight of the 11 offensive starters Saturday were playing their second varsity game. Others are playing new positions. The safety position consists of mostly underclassmen.
But there is plenty of talent, albeit most of it raw.
Cavallo has a strong leadership core with guys like Duarte, De La Garza, senior receiver Noah Lopez and junior receiver Tyler Williams.
Junior running back Tyler Gilmore, who has emerged as a feature back after playing some varsity last year, sophomore receivers Chasley Meche and Chase Williams, sophomore defensive lineman Henry Reed and junior defensive lineman Great Obikili have all pleasantly surprised with their contributions.
“The buy-in is there,” Cavallo said. “But I tell our kids this all the time: It has to be player-led. Seniors are going to have the hardest time buying in. Not because they don’t want to, but since seventh grade on, they’ve had six years of someone else. The faster the seniors buy in and take control of the leadership, the quicker you’ll see the program shift completely. It’s definitely there.”
Duarte said things have changed, and he and his teammates are excited for it.
“One thing with us is it’s all about family,” said De La Garza, who said Cavallo is “amazing.” “Win, lose. We’re all in this together.”