Cavemen Offensive Linemen Key to CHS Success

By Don Eskins

En route to their 5-3 record, the Cavemen have put up some pretty impressive offensive numbers, and with numbers, come names.

Names like running back Brock Wright, who has rushed for 747 yards and seven touchdowns, wide receiver Robert Castaneda, who has caught 40 passes for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns, and quarterback Marley Munoz, who has completed 70 of his 118 pass attempts for 1029 yards and 10 TDs.

But there’s another group of young men on the Cavemen offense who’ve played key roles in the success of Wright, Castaneda, Munoz, and the Cavemen.

However, you’ll very seldom hear or see their names. They’re Carlsbad’s offensive linemen.

Often labeled as “no names” or “hogs,” their unselfish work on the gridiron takes place in the trenches, where numbers for them are rare and football games are won or lost.

No Names Leading the Way

For the past three weeks, the Cavemen have dominated their opponents in the area of total yards gained. In their 48-21 victory over Clovis, they collected 455 total yards to the Wildcats’ 327; in their 35-7 win over Organ Mt., they outgained the Knights 454-269; and in their triumph over Alamogordo, they gathered in 468 total yards to the Tigers’ 276.

The offensive effort in each game has helped to make the Cavemen a player, once again, in the hunt for a seat in this year’s state tournament.

Cavemen head coach Cale Sanders, when asked what’s made the big difference in his chargers’ offensive success, had no hesitation in spelling out the answer.

“It’s been the play of our offensive linemen,” said the Caveman boss. “Center Casten Sanders, No. 55, left guard Tristan Munoz, No. 52, right guard Jeremy ‘Cowboy’ Vargas, No. 72, left tackle Daniel Acosta, No. 67, and right tackle Jeremy Carrasco, No. 57, have been playing great!

“I’d have to say that every ounce of our success has started up front with them. They’re opening holes for our backs to run through, and they’re giving Marley Munoz the time he needs to throw the ball,” he said. “Without the quality play of these guys, our season would look a lot different.”

Las Cruces and Hobbs Next Up

Carlsbad has only two games left on its regular season schedule, but they couldn’t be tougher. On October 24, they’ll entertain the top-ranked Las Cruces Bulldawgs, and on October 31, they battle the sixth-ranked Hobbs Eagles in Hobbs.

“I wish our kids could close out the season with a couple of teams that weren’t so tough,” said Sanders. “But that’s the way it is. When it’s time to take on the Dawgs and Eagles, our kids will be ready to play.

“One thing’s for sure, though,” he said,” when it comes to offense, we’ll be looking to our unsung heroes, Casten, Tristan, Cowboy, Daniel, and Jeremy to lead the way.”