Gustine football could take flight with DB-turned-QB Flores

Legislation forced Gustine High School to drop “Redskins” as its mascot, but that isn’t the only cultural change sweeping the campus.

The football team also has a new look – on the sideline and under center.

Native son Mike Mendonca takes the reins from former coach and good friend Russell McWilliams, who left his alma mater to coach Enterprise in Redding. Mendonca served as McWilliams’ top assistant and has made a seamless transition to the lead seat.

“We tear it down and build it back up every year here,” he said. “My job really hasn’t changed much in six years, except now I’m the one in charge.”

His first order of business: fast-tracking Trever Flores as the new quarterback. Flores was raised a quarterback in the Pop Warner system but has flourished as a safety in high school.

He was named to the all-Southern League first team last fall after racking up 74 tackles as the Reds’ last line of defense. He also had one interception and three fumble recoveries.

In the Battle for the Wooden Chief, a game that ultimately decided the Southern League title, Flores had 14 tackles and limited Orestimba wide receiver Toby Silva to 4.8 yards per catch (five catches, 24 yards).

“As a QB, you’re always reading the free safety,” Flores said. “In some ways, that made it easier for me. I was able to read the offense.”

Flores rarely played on offense in 2015 as Gustine strung together runaway victories. The Reds won their first nine games and then beat Rio Vista 70-54 in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VI playoffs.

“He was an all-league defensive back, which is weird for a quarterback,” Mendonca said of the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Flores. “He’s an amazing tackler.”

His time on offense was limited to mostly mop-up duty. Flores backed up quarterback Sebastian Figueroa, appearing in four games. He completed 2 of 6 passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Mendonca said Figueroa was the perfect fit for Gustine’s personnel and personality. With 2,000-yard running back Brandon LaBry, Gustine pounded teams into submission.

In two seasons, Figueroa was 17-6 with two playoff berths. In 2015, he threw for 1,318 yards and rushed for 624, accounting 26 touchdowns. His only reception went for a 65-yard touchdown, lifting Gustine to a 24-21 victory over Ripon Christian.

“Trever was ready to go last year. If Figueroa was to go down, we wouldn’t have skipped a beat,” Mendonca said. “I know he’ll get after it (this season). ... If it weren’t for Sebastian’s versatility, Trever probably could have been a three-year starter.

“He’s pretty inexperienced, so it might take him a few games to get into the flow of things. But, the talent will flash.”

Flores’ promotion may also signal a stylistic change in the offense. Mendonca said Gustine may attack more through the air, especially on first down.

The reason is two-fold, Mendonca said. Part of that is because the Reds don’t have a dynamic ballcarrier like LaBry, but much of that has to do with his confidence in Flores’ arm and decision-making.

“He’s more of a prototypical passer,” Mendonca said. “He’ll surprise you with his running ability, but he’ll take his shots downfield. He’ll push teams, vertically, because he’s a better arm talent.”

Said Flores: “He’s always had that kind of confidence in me. I’ve just never had the opportunity.”

Flores has talent on the perimeter, too. Senior wide receiver Tony Fontes is in his third varsity season. Fontes exploded onto the scene with a six-catch, 146-yard performance against Mariposa two years ago but hasn’t had more than 62 yards in 15 games since. Fontes finished with 19 catches for 267 yards and four TDs last fall.

Trever’s twin brother, Tyeler Flores, is a scrappy, speedy slot back who will be the featured player when the Reds’ run the jet sweep.

Senior tight end Lawrence Borba is another familiar target. Borba had just two catches for 29 yards in seven games last fall, but the coaching staff raves about his ability to catch and secure the football.

Gustine opens against Linden on Sept. 2 and closes the nonconference schedule with trips to Hilmar, the defending Trans-Valley League champion and Division VI finalist, and Modesto Christian.

“We have been Jekyll and Hyde in practice,” Mendonca said. “Sometimes, we’ve looked as good as we’ve looked in six years. We’re just not deep. As long as we stay healthy, I don’t foresee a problem with us scoring on teams.”

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Gustine football could take flight with DB-turned-QB Flores."