LA JOYA — La Joya Juarez-Lincoln’s Edward Garcia entered last season as the third-string quarterback, but he was thrust into a starting role in only the team’s second game.
Starter Ramiro Garza had gone down to injury, and the Huskies’ primary backup had worked mostly at receiver during practice that week. So Garcia was the next man up.
On his first snap, against Rio Hondo, Garcia ran for a 55-yard touchdown.
“That took all of the nervousness out of me,” Garcia said. “From there on, I kept going.”
The ride wasn’t always smooth, but Garcia played in every game the rest of the way, working in a platoon with Garza when health allowed.
Garcia returns as the starter this season, looking to elevate a 4-6 Juarez-Lincoln team into the playoffs.
“I learned a lot of things from (last year),” Garcia said. “I learned the speed. I learned reads. Everything that has to do with football. I’m ready for this season.”
Garcia says running the ball is his biggest strength. Juarez-Lincoln coach Tommy Garcia is excited about what his quarterback can do as a passer and a leader, as well.
“He’s a double threat: He can throw the ball really well, and he’s got wheels,” coach Garcia said. “He’s done a real good job taking control of the huddle. He commands respect.”
Because Juarez-Lincoln has an inexperienced offensive line — three sophomores are expected to start — coach Garcia said Edward will be under more pressure to execute a quick passing game. Juarez-Lincoln usually likes to run 60 percent of the time, but coach Garcia said that ratio might be switched around this season.
“Our strength is going to be our receiver core,” coach Garcia said. “We’re going to adjust to our personnel.”
The Huskies return wideouts Carlos Barrera and Brandon Ramirez and welcome Palmview transfer Anthony Mora. Coach Garcia praised Mora for his speed, and he and Edward already have some chemistry. Before district boundaries sent them to separate teams, the duo won a championship on a sixth-grade team in Alton.
“We’ve trained all of our lives together,” Edward said. “We’ve got our timing down. That’s just a big plus for the team: me and him and our connection.”
Mora said he and Edward never lost touch, and that the chemistry between the two is still strong. After struggling through a 1-9 season at Palmview last year, Mora said he was excited to move to the city champs. He hopes he and Edward can bring about a repeat of their little league days.
“For the first time, I feel like I’m on a team. There’s so much pride in this school and the football program,” Mora said. “We have to make something happen again.”
YOUNG LINE
The strength of Juarez-Lincoln’s offense will hinge on how quickly the young line can come together. Not only is the group starting three sophomores, but senior returners Jose Ortiz and Santiago Solis are both out with injuries heading into Friday’s scrimmage against Grulla.
“They’ve got to grow up really, really fast,” coach Garcia said.
With size lacking and depth an issue on both sides of the line of scrimmage, coach Garcia said he would consider using some players both ways if necessary.
DEFENSIVE STRENGTH
Coach Garcia said he is “expecting big things” from Juarez-Lincoln’s linebacker group. Dustin Ruiz, a three-year starter and All-District 30-5A honorable mention in the middle, leads the unit.
“He’s a force to be reckoned with,” coach Garcia said. “I’m hoping he has a breakout season.”
PLAYOFF DROUGHT
During coach Garcia’s first two years, the players have hung their hats on being city champions.
“As a coaching staff, we’re not satisfied with being city champs,” coach Garcia said. “We want to get in the playoffs.”
Since the La Joya ISD split following the 2007 season, none of the teams have been able to do that. The past two seasons, Juarez-Lincoln has been close. Coming up just short has been driving the Huskies, and this group is hoping they can get over the hump.
“It was a great feeling being in that position that late in the year and trying to make the playoffs,” coach Garcia said. “But at the same time, us coming up short is what fuels us and gets us going. … We believe that we are a contender for the title, and only time will tell.”
Added Ruiz: “We already had two chances to go, but we made too many mistakes. We can do it this year.”
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Prognosis
With a lot of youth and very little depth on both lines, the defending city champs will be hard pressed to snap the La Joya ISD playoff drought.
2014 Record: 3-7
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Tenure
Coach: Tommy Garcia
Year at school: 3rd
Record: 9-11