CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx. — It will be the first time in three years that the quarterback position will be open for the Ray Texans.
Brad Breckenridge, one of the best quarterbacks in not just South Texas but the entire state, is off to the college ranks leaving the Texans needing to fill 2,700 yards of passing and 28 touchdowns through the air.
The Texans open up fall camp with a different style quarterback taking first-team reps. The speedy Robert Vasquez has been pegged as the signal caller for the Texans this year. And changes are coming to the Texans' offense, proving it is more than just a plug and play system.
"We're not going to be able to just drop back and throw the ball all over the place," Ray coach Craig Charlton said. "We have a good plan going in with what we've got with our speed to implement a good offensive scheme."
Vasquez is no stranger to the big moment. He took over for Breckenridge when he was sidelined with an injury against Victoria East last season. The Texans won the game on an incredible last minute drive conducted by Vasquez; the win kept their playoff hopes alive. It was at that moment Vasquez knew he could be next in line for the starting job.
"It gave me the confidence," Vasquez said. "The seniors got behind me and supported me."
Vasquez will bring a different dynamic to the Ray offense. Listed at 5-foot-5 and registering a 4.7 second 40-yard dash time, he brings speed to the table. His teammates marvel at his elusiveness.
"He can move and throw and run," Ray running back Joey Calero said. "You never know what he is going to do, he is so unpredictable."
The departure of Breckenridge left a hole in the Texans' offensive scheme, and while Vasquez looks poised to fill the void, he is not the only quarterback capable of taking the helm. Charlton believes the quarterback depth this year is quite good, leaving the Texans with a backup plan if something were to happen.
It is no question that Ray will miss Breckenridge, who is attending Amherst College. He earned multiple honors including winning a statewide award. But his absence has not left the Texans desperate and the expectations remain high.
"We don't talk about playoffs right now," Charlton said. "We expect it."
The Texans will show off their new look offense on the road in San Antonio when they face East Central for the first game of the season on Aug. 30.
