MISSION — Sharyland Pioneer’s Jason Wheeler understands where his team stands in the pecking order.
His Diamondbacks are entering their inaugural season, in a district with teams like Sharyland High, Mission Veterans Memorial and Edinburg Vela. A postseason berth isn’t expected. But that isn’t tempering his ambitions for this season.
“Everybody’s like, ‘Well, you’re a first-year program, just do the best you can,’” Wheeler said. “But I don’t see it that way. We set high expectations. I think we have enough talent here and facilities and coaching staff that I’ve put together that we can be successful now, and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
Wheeler hopes his Diamondbacks are in the running for the postseason in what appears to be a top-heavy district. If not now, then at least by next year.
The goal is to create a winning culture from the outset. Wheeler, a first-time head coach, was a defensive coordinator at Port Isabel last year. Before that, he was at Hidalgo. And from 2006-2010, he was on Scott Ford’s staff at Los Fresnos.
Wheeler will implement much of the same defensive principles he had with those teams. The Diamondbacks have a strong linebacker corps that will more than likely line up in a 3-4 formation. Joe Garza, a junior who started at linebacker last year for Sharyland High, will lead that side of the ball for Pioneer.
Last season, Garza tallied the third-most tackles (77) on the team. As the only Sharyland High starter to make the move to Pioneer, Garza’s looking to bring the same mentality to a relatively inexperienced squad.
“We just want to run to the football and have teams scared of us,” he said. “We just have to be physically ready and mentally ready. Hopefully we’re strong everywhere.”
In the end, defense could ultimately determine how far Pioneer is able to stretch its season.
“It’s going to be fun,” Wheeler said. “We’ll go through our growing pains. There’s some good athletes in this area, I think people know. There’s some kids that can run. But I stress a lot of time watching our offensive line, defensive line, that’s where it starts. If you don’t have a good line, no matter how fast you are, you’re not going to be a very good football team.”
AIMING HIGH
Wheeler was part of a state title-winning team with Denson in 1983. Even though a Valley team (Donna) has yet to win state since 1961, Wheeler believes there are four programs each year that have a shot of competing for one: Edcouch-Elsa, Harlingen High, Port Isabel and Sharyland High.
At Pioneer, his goal is to thrust his program into the conversation.
“It’s exciting and it’s something that I talked about in my (job) interview,” Wheeler said. “I truly believe the gap is closing with Valley football. Harlingen had a good run, going four rounds deep. I felt our team at P.I. (last year) should’ve gone a couple more rounds. But, you know, it’s time for one of those teams to break that barrier. I get tired of hearing that the Valley is weak and all that stuff — Round 3. Just like a lot of coaches in the area, I’ve got a lot of pride. I know there’s talent here and it can be done. Sometimes it’s more of a mental (hurdle) than physical.”
He added: “I’d love to be coaching here for 13 years. I told them when they hired me, ‘I’ve got 13 years to bring a state title to the Valley,’ and that’s the kind of how I approach it. I’m a very goal-oriented person. I had a goal to be a head coach. Now that I got a head job, I want to do something in the Valley that hasn’t been done in a long time. That’s what I’m striving for now. Rome wasn’t build in a day. So you’ve got to start somewhere.”
QUARTERBACK BATTLE
There’s a three-man race for the starting quarterback role and Alex Ramirez appears to be the leading candidate. The junior, who played on JV last season at Sharyland High, understands the offense well and has shown a knack for reading defenses, too.
He isn’t a running threat yet, but his throwing ability makes up for it.
“I think I’m able to lead the offense, knowing where to put the ball, knowing who to give it to,” Ramirez said. “Just looking to keep the offense calm in high-pressure situations.”
Alec Garcia, a 5-foot-6 sophomore, is also in the hunt. A track and field standout as a freshman, Garcia’s speed makes him a viable option at slot receiver, as well. There’s also Taylor Trigg, who at 6-foot-1, 240-pound offers plenty of size and options. He’s played halfback before and also tight end. He’ll be on the field in some capacity.
GETTING STRONGER
Pioneer isn’t anticipating laying off the weights as the season progresses. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.
“We’re probably going to lift more than most people do during football season,” Wheeler said. “We’re all coming back next year, so why wouldn’t we? The more I talk to the Cibolo Steeles and the Katys, the schools that are very dominant, it’s changed a lot. Instead of maintenance, you actually lift to get strong during the season so when you get to the playoffs, you have a stronger football team. So I’m trying to adapt that philosophy with these kids.”
=======================
PROGNOSIS
The Diamondbacks are aiming for the playoffs in their inaugural season. But with plenty of young pieces in place, Pioneer could be primed to make a run next season.
2014 Record: 3-7
======================
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Jason Wheeler
Years at school: First
Record at school: 0-0