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
September 18, 2008
Estrada fills dual positions for Warriors
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Heat take 2-0 lead into Boston in East finals
- McIlroy recovers from rugged start for 71
- Former equipment manager sues Rams
- Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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