A Floydada Whirlwind Flag files outside of Payne Family Pharmacy in September 2021. (Alex Driggars/Floyd County Record)
ACUFF — Last Friday the Floydada Whirlwinds faced something different in the New Home Leopards no-huddle offense. This week the Whirlwinds (1-3) will have the task the controlling Roosevelt’s triple-option flexbone offense. You can probably count the number of teams on one hand throughout West Texas that run some version of the triple-option that takes you back into the 1970s.
“Roosevelt (4-0) is undefeated for a reason. The Eagles are a very solid and fundamentally sound team. Preparing for the triple-option scheme has caused us to change the way we practice this week. We are going to have been very disciplined on defense, and everyone has to play their assignments for this kind of offense,” said Floydada coach J.R. Compton.
Roosevelt is passionately committed to the running game, averaging 430 yards per game rushing and has passed for only two yards in their four victories. The Eagles are very balanced in their attack with the fullbacks (option one) averaging 155 yards per game and have scored eight touchdowns; quarterback Alex Trevino (option two) is producing 157 yards each outing going primarily off-tackle and has scored 11 times; then the slot-backs (option three) have been contributing 99 yards a game and have reached the end zone six times going mostly wide around the ends.
“We went to the flexbone four years ago because of two reasons,” Roosevelt coach Matt Landers explained. “One, we wanted Roosevelt to be unique during a time when a very large percentage of teams across Texas are running some version of the spread; two there are a lot of quarterback prospects each year who can run, and are limited in the passing capabilities. With the flexbone, the quarterback is all about the run. It is working for us, and we are committed to it,” said Landers, who is now in his fourth year as the Eagles head coach. So far in 2021 the Eagles are outscoring their opponents an average of score of 45-3 per game.
“Roosevelt is equally talented on defense. They are very aggressive in disrupting the opponents. Their middle linebackers — Alex Trevino and J.J. Diaz — are heart and soul of their defense,” Compton said.
Floydada’s run defense has been probably the most consistent aspect of the Whirlwinds game this season by allowing a stingy average of 104-yards per game. Opposing teams have passed for an average 175-yards to make the total offense allowed of 279-yards per game. Lockney was most run oriented team the Whirlwinds have faced, and the Longhorns had 196-yards on the ground that night. Below are some stats of the leading Whirlwind defenders.
The Whirlwinds will counter with a balanced offense out of the spread. Quarterback Trace Glassock has 646 yards passing and three TDs this season; running back Andres Mendoza has 314 yards rushing and five scores; inside receiver Saul Reyes has 19 receptions for 311 yards; while Aiden Trevino has 13 catches as another inside receiver.
Game Facts:
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday at Eagle Stadium, Acuff
Season records: Floydada 1-3, Roosevelt 4-0
Live broadcast coverage: KFLP 106.1 FM, video at FloydCountyRecord.com
Series record: Floydada leads 13-10
2020 results: Roosevelt won 58-5
Whirlwind individual defensive stat leaders:
Tackles per game: Izaiah Alvarado – 14; Jayson Cooper – 9; Hagen Hinsley – 6.5; Davian Ramos, Aiden Trevino and Donovan Rocha – 5 each
Tackles for Loss (TFL) for season: Hinsley – 9; Trevino – 5; Alvarado – 2
Interceptions for season: Saul Reyes – 2; Cooper, Alvarado and Ty Henderson all with 1 each
Fumble recoveries on season: Ramos, Andres Mendoza, Phillip Rodriguez, Cooper and Reyes – 1 each
Floydada opponents’ games this week:
TULIA (3-1) vs. Ama. Highland Park (0-4)
LOCKNEY (3-1) at Odessa Compass (0-4), Sat. 11 a.m.
SMYER (0-4) at Wink (2-2)
NEW HOME (3-1) at Roscoe (3-1)
ROOSEVELT (4-0) vs. FLOYDADA (1-3)
TAHOKA (0-4) at Ropes (3-0)
POST (0-4) vs. Slaton (1-3)
SUNDOWN (2-2) vs. Farwell (4-0)
NEW DEAL (4-0) at Idalou (4-0)
HALE CENTER (2-2) at Olton (2-1)
*District 2-2A-I members in bold
