By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Anthony Estrada fills multiple roles in the McAuley Catholic offense.
On the Warriors’ third possession of last week’s 48-0 victory Drexel, Estrada began the drive playing at tackle.
But when McAuley reached the 1-yard line, Estrada, wearing No. 56, moved from tackle to fullback, and he plunged up the middle for the Warriors’ first touchdown.
“It’s our goal-line offense,” said Estrada, 5-foot-9, 205-pound senior. “Whenever we need to punch it in, I get the ball. I was a little bit surprised. We went over it in practice. I had a feeling I might get one that night.
“There was just a little bit (of an adrenaline rush). I just didn’t want to fumble.”
“It’s our jumbo formation,” Warriors head coach Brenden Gubera said. “We bring in an extra tackle as a tight end, and we move a tackle back as the power back on the right side. We’re trying to find ways to run the football in short-yardage situations. Our three best options in the backfield are two good blocking backs and Brant Russell behind them.”
Tim Schoenfeld, the starting tight end and backup quarterback, is the Warriors’ other blocking back in their goal-line set.
Estrada isn’t a stranger when it comes to handling the football.
“He was a tight end his freshman and sophomore year for us,” Gubera said. “He played tight end in 7-on-7 all summer. Putting him in the backfield is new for him, but playing in a skill position is something he’s used to in his career here.
“Anthony is a good athlete. I have confidence any time we give it to him he will give us what we need, a hard runner. He’s not a juker. He’ll run where the hole is supposed to be. If it’s there, he’ll hit it; if not, he’ll run into the back of somebody.”
As for his favorite position,” I like both of them,” Estrada said. “I’m a little better at tackle, so I prefer that one.”
The Warriors (1-2), after home games the last two weeks, play tonight at Greenfield. Kickoff is at 7.
“We feel like we could be better than 1-2 right now,” Gubera said. “We’ve been in both games (we lost). We’ve steadily gotten better. Our focus right now still is to put together a four full quarters. We did it last week; we’ll go out and give it a try this week.”
Sports
Estrada fills dual positions for Warriors
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