MERCEDES — Mercedes senior safety Roel Garcia is four interceptions away from setting the school record. But he hasn’t had time to fine-tune his craft during practices this month, not with the Valley’s top returning passer and receiver also wearing the same colors.
Senior quarterback Rene Presas and senior receiver Joshua Garza are the closest thing to a dynamic duo that the Valley has this season; Presas, the gunslinger who threw for 2,475 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, and Garza, the beneficiary who hauled in 42 passes for 942 yards and nine TDs.
“They’re good. They’re tough,” said Garcia, a three-year starter who also plays receiver. “They already have chemistry. They do everything real fast. Everybody in this offense knows where they’re supposed to be and when they’re supposed to do it.
“You have to be on your game to be ready to go up against that offense.”
It’s Presas and Garza that have made Roger Adame Jr.’s transition from defensive coordinator/first assistant to head coach seamless. In the 6-foot, 225-pound Presas, last season’s RGVSports.com All-Valley Newcomer of the Year, Adame sees a breakout season waiting to happen.
“The communication with the receivers, the communication with our staff has just been awesome,” Adame said. “Even before 7-on-7, Rene was getting those guys out there, throwing routes, building relationships with guys. He’s taken the bull by the horns.”
And then there’s Garza, a 5-10, 165-pound wideout who gives Presas the ideal target.
“When you have a guy like Josh Garza, one of the best receivers in the Valley, he’s going to test you, so we’re only getting better as a defense every day in practice,” Garcia said.
The fact that his two premier offensive talents also happen to be his best leaders is a plus for Adame. Presas and Garza have spent as much time in the weight room and running routes on empty fields as they have in the film room.
“We have potential. We have guys who can make plays, and we can’t take anything for granted,” Adame said. “You look at someone like Josh Garza, and he’s fighting out here like he’s battling for a starting spot. That’s what I want. Those are the leaders I’m looking for.”
Aside from Presas and Garza, the offense has seen players like explosive running back Isaac Vela and sure-handed receiver Brandon Gutierrez blossom into bigger roles. The more, the merrier.
“We have a lot of weapons,” Garza said. “We put in a lot of work this summer. We’ve gotten better — our receivers, Rene. Everyone’s stronger, everyone’s on the same page.”
THE HUNTED
With 13 returning starters, including seven on defense, the Tigers are a favorite to win the District 32-5A title.
It’s about time, senior linebacker Rick Blanco said.
“Usually we’re always being underestimated, that we won’t be on top, but at the end we always come out proving everybody wrong,” Blanco said. “We love that feeling.”
Mercedes is two years removed from its last district title, when it shared it with Edcouch-Elsa and Mission High in 2012.
THE BEST ‘D’?
The Tigers have just one defensive line starter returning, but they’ve got two linebackers returning and their entire secondary, which is also their sprint relay team during the track and field season.
Also, keep an eye on junior linebacker Fabricio Quintanilla, who has opened eyes this offseason.
“Everyone’s on the same page,” Blanco said. “We’re working hard and we’re ready. We’re going to be in the best shape ever.
“We should be the best defense in the Valley.”
TOUGHER, STRONGER
If there’s one big difference under Adame, who has kept the offensive and defensive terminology the same, it’s that the Tigers are a more physical team.
It started in practices, with more one-on-one drills and more situational football, like the offense going against the defense at the goal line.
“We feel it,” Blanco said. “Everyone’s getting hit hard, everyone’s getting bumps and bruises. Coach is pushing us hard and he’s making us feel how hard we need to go.”
Adame said the physicality needed to be taken up another level if the Tigers are to meet their expectations.
“We want a district title and to win in the playoffs, and to do that we need to be more physical,” he said. “These guys have embraced that. You find out quickly the guys who only look great in shorts and a T-shirt.”
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PROGNOSIS
Mercedes returns a lot of offensive firepower, and the defense has experience. If the Tigers can stay healthy and focused, the sky is the limit. The program’s third district title since 1999 is definitely within reach.
2014 Record: 10-3
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TENURE
Coach: Roger Adame Jr.
Years at school: 1
Record at Mercedes: 0-0