On a weekend where the season hung in the balance, the Javelinas needed a kicker and Gilbert Garza was the one called upon by Coach Michael Salinas.
In Odessa, Texas, where the Hogs took on the University of Texas-Permian Basin on Nov. 6, Garza ended the game with 17 points, leading the Hogs to a 29-22 victory over the Falcons. Those 17 points scored by Garza were the most in school history, breaking a 36-year-old record held by Walter Rule since Nov. 2, 1985.
Long Snapper Clayton Engelhardt gave insight on working closely with Garza as they both play a key role on special teams.
“Working with Gilbert is always fun. We hold each other accountable when one of us messes up. We always help each other out to fix our mistakes,” Engelhardt said.
The long snapper to kicker dynamic is an important part of the kicking game in football, because of this, Engelhardt sees Gilbert’s accomplishments being his as well.
“It does give me much excitement because every kick starts off with me. As the long snapper, it is my job to get the ball back to the holder perfectly for Gilbert to get the kickoff. I see it as if Gilbert succeeds then I do, too,” he said.
Garza is a Redshirt-Freshman from Weslaco East High School in Weslaco, Texas, who came to Texas A&M-Kingsville during the COVID year. Garza has started all nine games this season as kicker for the Javelinas and has an 86-field goal percentage on the season including a 5-5 day at UTPB. Garza’s leg accounted for more than half the points in the game, hitting field goals from 47 yards deep in the huge Javelina victory.
“It felt good helping my team get the victory; coach Salinas puts a lot of trust in me to get the job done and I’m just glad I could deliver,” Garza said.
Special Teams Coach John Cotton has confidence in Garza’s ability.
“Gilbert is always working on his craft, it’s the one thing he has to do and that all he works on every day,” Cotton said. “We always expect him to be ready when we need him”
The Javelinas would take on San Angelo in the final regular season game on Nov. 13, and fell 58-19, ending the season with a .500 record for this first time since 2016.