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Robert Huizar's name is peppered all over New Mexico School for the Deaf's football history.

Entering his 11th year as coach, Huizar graduated from NMSD in 1993. He played on the Roadrunners first playoff team and quarterbacked NMSD into the 1991 six-man semifinals.

This interview was taken from recent e-mail correspondence.

Trib: How does the center know when to snap the ball?

Huizar: He taps the player on the side of the leg a number of times, depending on the offensive play. If the QB is in shotgun, he uses hand signals.

Trib: Every coach I've seen has yelled at some point. How do you make points more emphatic in sign language? Can the players tell by your facial expression?

Huizar: Ha, that's funny. I think I yell in sign language so much and yes the boys KNOW when I'm yelling and when I'm disappointed in a play. I'm very expressive.

Trib: What's the most rewarding aspect of your job as coach?

Huizar: I just love the game so much. Being around the boys is a blessing. To get the boys to trust you on and off the field is something you can't just ask for, you have to earn it. I'm very close to my boys and care for them a great deal. To see them enjoy this year's success is a wonderful feeling.

Trib: Tell me about some NMSD football traditions.

Huizar: NMSD in my opinion is a football school! We have other sports, but we excel in football, it comes naturally to them I guess.

Trib: What effect did playing high school football have on your life?

Huizar: I just fell in love with the game, the concept of playing with your buddies as a team, working together, winning and all that competition is just an addiction for me. It made me a better person and has given me values and ideas that in life you need to work hard and be a good team player.

Trib: With the arrival of eight-man football this year, are you concerned that the six-man game may be dying?

Huizar: It's a concern, but if we can advocate and get other small schools to participate . . . then I think we can save six-man, but it depends on the people in New Mexico, the fans and the schools. Eight-man is good. I like eight-man. We played (it) every year before it came out, so I have nothing against eight-man. I just want other schools to give six-man a try.

Trib: What advantages, if any, does a deaf team have over a hearing team?

Huizar: An advantage probably not hearing the other kids talk trash, ha. Really, I think all teams have advantages and disadvantages; we're no different. I hardly ever think I have an advantage over any other team besides our boys' playing hard.