FOOTBALL POW: Moralez gets defensive in Yellow Jackets' victory

Kermit gained only four first downs and 119 total yards Friday night, and its run-oriented offense averaged a mere 2.4 yards per carry and reached the end zone just twice.

The Yellow Jackets still managed to double up Crane on the scoreboard, however, winning 28-14 because of a kickoff return for a touchdown and a defense that forced six turnovers while scoring six points of its own.

“The way I see it, defense wins games. Offense sells tickets,” Kermit senior Rene Moralez said. “If you don’t have a defense, you can’t stop a team from scoring. And whenever the offense doesn’t work out, the defense can get it done.”

That’s exactly what happened in a critical District 2-2A Division I game at Kermit’s Walton Field, and Moralez again got things done for the Yellow Jackets’ defense. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound outside linebacker intercepted a screen pass and returned it 25 yards for a third-quarter touchdown, recovered a fourth-quarter fumble to help seal the win and finished with 15 tackles — eight more than any of his teammates.

STORY: The area football honor roll

Moralez, the Permian Basin Player of the Week, has 90 tackles this season and leads his team by a margin of 38. He also ranks second among Yellow Jackets with four sacks, and he’s had a hand in seven takeaways.

“He moves pretty well, runs real well and reads very well,” Kermit coach Coby Owen said of Moralez’s defensive abilities. “He just kind of has a natural instinct to get to the football. And he loves playing the game, so that’s one of the major things.

“He works hard in practice and studies film and studies scouting reports and everything. He takes it serious and does a good job on Friday night.”

Moralez, who is a sprinter for the Kermit track and field team, also makes an impact on offense. He’s the team’s second-leading rusher behind quarterback Joe Pearson, with 51 carries for 323 yards, and Moralez’s third touchdown run of the season gave the Yellow Jackets an early lead against Crane.

Kermit running backs coach Arick Heredia called Moralez a “north-south runner” with a no-nonsense style and a knack for finding holes.

“There’s nothing fancy about him. He’s not going to dance,” Heredia said. “He’s a tough kid, and he’s going to fall forward every time you tackle him.”

While he’s made his presence felt on the field, Owen and Heredia said Moralez is more of a quiet, well-mannered type off the field. Owen said Moralez prefers to let his play speak for itself instead of being a vocal force in the locker room.

Heredia said Moralez will pipe up if he feels the need, though, and Owen said he’s one of several seniors who has kept his teammates in line and focused on their goals this season.

One of those goals is qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and last week’s win against Crane put Kermit on the verge of doing just that. The third-place Yellow Jackets (5-3 overall, 3-1 district) can secure a postseason berth a win at Alpine (5-3, 1-3) Friday night. 

“It feels good,” Moralez said of the opportunity. “It’s something that we really want and something we’re really striving for. We’ve been working since spring to make the playoffs and go far.”

>> Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter at @OAZuvanich

THE BASICS

RENE MORALEZ, KERMIT

>> Height: 5-foot-10.

>> Weight: 165 pounds.

>> Class: Senior.

>> Position: RB/OLB.

>> Favorite player: Lawrence Taylor.

>> Favorite college team: University of Texas.

>> Favorite TV show: Nitro Circus.

>> Highlights: Moralez made 15 tackles, recovered a fumble, returned an interception for a touchdown and also rushed for a TD in a win against Crane.