Bastrop head coach Gerald Perry is still high on his secondary despite losing all-state defensive backs Pete Rodriguez and Bernard Blake.
Nevermind the fact Blake and Rodriguez were two of the most feared cornerbacks in District 25-5A and both grabbed late interceptions in three of the Bears nine wins in 2009.
Also nevermind that Rodriguez and Blake combined for nine interceptions and over 100 tackles.
And Blake contributed three blocked field goals.
“We have a lot more speed in our secondary,” Perry told me back in the spring.
It may seem to the casual fan that the losses of Blake and Rodriguez would deplete Bastrop’s defense more than graduation.
And lets also not overlook that the Bears also lost Colton Tucker, who, despite the lack of postseason accolades, still played an important role in Bastrop’s secondary.
Perry’s high stance on his secondary comes across as good public relations or, as we sports writers like to call it, “coach speak.”
Of course, Perry or defensive coordinator Todd Patmon, won’t say publicly that their secondary had to be rebuilt from the foundation.
But maybe there isn’t as much “coach speak” as it seems.
Justin Froncek has a lot of speed that he displayed in the spring, leading Central Texas in stolen bases as part of the Bears baseball team.
He will replace the speed lost with the graduation of Blake.
Mustafa Akbar played slot receiver in 2009 and caught 28 passes for 322 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Akbar’s hands will be a good replacement for Rodriguez, who led the team with six interceptions.
Anthony Perez is the only returning player in Bastrop’s secondary, thus making him the leader by default.
The only battle still left undecided, according to Perry, is at the safety position where Luke Greigo and Glen Miller are battling for that final spot in the Bears secondary.
While the loss of Blake and Rodriguez might appear on paper to be a big deal, Perry high praise for his secondary is definitely founded.
They have speed, the hands and will knock receivers out of their socks.
Bastrop’s secondary won’t get a big test until Sept. 10 when Akins comes to town.
However, with Bastrop’s defense getting exposed in the final two games of the season in 2009, there may not be too many teams ready to throw the ball against the Bears.