CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Week five of high school football wrapped up with Incarnate Word Academy making their 11-man football debut on Saturday.
IWA defeated Bishop Reicher Catholic, 27-20, playing at a neutral site at St. John Paul II High School.
The Angels were 3-1 so far in six-man football. Last year was the school's first season with a six-man team. That team finished 7-4, including a win in the playoffs.
IWA Head Football Coach Jay Aleman said that the IWA community was ready for football and they are embracing it. The Angels have more kids this year than last year, and Aleman said that they expect to have 32-35 kids next season.
"We're just looking at the future," Aleman said. "How are we going to make sure that each of these kids have the opportunity to play. In six-man, we can only play six kids. This week, everybody gets to play so everyone's excited."
Aleman added that kids want to be a part of this team as it makes history for the school.
IWA running back Damian Salazar and offensive lineman JB Jackson talked about making the transition to 11-man football.
"We always got a lot of energy, always so excited to get out there and go win," Salazar said. "So, I think it's really going to pay off, especially in 11-man, think it's going to be fun."
"It's been amazing being able to make history both in six-man and 11-man for this school and for this team," Jackson said.
Aleman's message to his team as they transitioned to 11-man football was that it is still the same game with the same helmet. The difference is the schemes on both sides of the ball, he explained.