QB embraces leadership role

FORT STOCKTON Sergio Corral has always had the physical talent.

Now, the mental aspect of his game is catching up.

The Fort Stockton senior quarterback is primed and ready for his third year as the starter under center.

“He has matured a lot,” head coach Tom Howard said. “He grew a lot last year, but still made young mistakes. So far this year his mind has slowed down and his feet have caught up.”

Corral finished his junior season 54-of-131 passing for 1,116 yards, eight interceptions and 11 touchdowns.

He also rushed for 645 yards on 118 carries with 13 touchdowns.

“It seems like it is coming along easier and the leadership role is easier,” Corral said. “I know what I have to do to get the team ready for games this year.”

Corral led the Panthers to third place in District 1-3A and they lost 53-28 to Andrews in the area round of the Class 3A Division I playoffs.

Fort Stockton has never won a football playoff game and last year seemed to be a golden opportunity, playing a 3-7 Andrews team it had beaten earlier in the season

“I want to build off of what our team individually did but forget the end and start off with a bang and possibly win a couple of playoff games,” Corral said.

The best way for the Panthers to end the playoff drought is to shore up their defense.

Fort Stockton’s defense was solid against the run last year but was weak in the secondary and it showed at the end of the season.

“We know what the downfall was,” Howard said. “Our run defense was awesome all year long. In the sixth or seventh game people started throwing on us and our pass defense was horrible.

“We made some adjustments this spring.”

Howard expects his run defense to be solid again, led by defensive tackle Rene Corral.

“Our front three are back and that’s the key to it,” Howard said. “We are not huge, but we are quick and that’s what our scheme requires.”

Offensively, the Panthers will look a little different after the graduation of fullback M.J. Salmon.

“We’re going to be spreading the ball around a lot more this year,” Howard said. “We don’t have a big fullback and won’t be able to line up in the I (formation) and pound the ball.

“We will be a lot more versatile in our formations.”

The new look on offense will be thanks to split end Hunter Stennett and running back Frankie Ruiz.

“Everyone is working together,” Sergio Corral said. “We are going to have all 11 on defense swarming to the ball.

“Everyone knows the plays and are trying to make the plays. Hopefully we are going to win a district championship and move onto the playoffs.”