Organization Key To Banegas’ Success

— The Rogers Heritage offensive line started the season with just two returning starters and several questions at other spots.

Senior Richard Banegas has the answer thus far.

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Richard Banegas

School: Rogers Heritage

Height: 5-7

Weight: 230

Class: Senior

Notable: First year to start on the offensive line for the War Eagles. ... Played tackle as a freshman. ... Helped Heritage go from averaging just 98 yards per game on the ground last season to 200 per game in the first four weeks.

Banegas has been the starter at right guard and helped the War Eagles establish a solid running game and protect quarterback Josh Qualls. Heritage has averaged 200 yards per game rushing in its first four games, more than double the War Eagles’ average a year ago.

The end result has been a 4-0 start. Credit for the increased run production falls on the offensive line, and Banegas has been a key part of that.

“He’s been rock solid,” Heritage coach Perry Escalante said. “A strong kid, runs pretty good and puts a hat on a hat.”

Banegas, who graded out highest among the offensive linemen in the spring and in two of the first three games, slipped to number three in week four, Heritage offensive line coach Jason Upton said.

However, Banegas still found a way to catch Escalante’s eye. The 5-foot-7, 230-pounder got downfield to throw a key block on a 42-yard touchdown run by Brandon Gates in the second quarter last Friday.

“That’s what we like to see,” Escalante said. “We want our linemen getting downfield.”

Escalante admitted he expected Banegas to be pushing for playing time last season and wasn’t sure why he didn’t. But the senior came to spring practice with renewed vigor.

“He’s just been more committed I think,” Upton said.

That started in the spring and also over the summer as Banegas earned Elite Eagle status for his work in the weight room during the offseason. To earn Elite Eagle status, players must get 20 or more days in the weight room over the summer.

Banegas said he’s been more organized this season. He works 25 to 30 hours a week at McDonald’s in addition going to school and playing football. But he also admitted to struggling with a few personal problems last year.

“I had distractions last year,” Banegas said. “But I’m more focused this year. I’m working more hours this year, but I had more core classes last year.

“Last year it was like it all came at once — work, school, football. But now I just try to focus on what I’m doing at that time. I’m more organized now.”

Banegas laughs when asked about free time since he works at least four days a week. Of course, he’s occupied on Friday nights in the fall. He usually spends Saturdays with his family or friends during football season.

He also works hard to reduce any homework in order to give him more time to rest.

“I try to get my school work done while I’m at school,” Banegas said.

Escalante and Upton agreed Banegas isn’t a one-dimensional lineman.

“He’s not just a good run blocker or a good pass blocker, he can do it all,” Escalante said.

His lack of size can even be an advantage, Upton said.

“He’s got a low center of gravity and gets leverage on people,” Upton said. “He’s really aggressive and his feet are pretty good. This year he’s figured out how to put it all together.”

The offensive line isn’t surprised by their success thus far, Banegas said.

“We went in confident in what we could do,” he said. “We just made sure we knew our assignments.”

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