McALLEN — When McAllen Rowe lost quarterback Justin Owens to a season-ending injury during the team’s fifth game, sophomore Hector Bosquez was called up from the JV team and thrust into a starting role. Admittedly, he was nervous.
“I was shocked,” Bosquez said. “Having a good quarterback like Justin, it’s tough to fill in a role like that. To come in trying to fill in those big shoes for the team was pretty tough.”
After losing Bosquez’ first start, Rowe won three of its final four games. Now, Bosquez returns for his junior season with more experience and greater comfort — factors that the Warriors are hoping can help them get back to the playoffs after last season’s 4-6 finish.
“The first couple of quarters for him were probably a blur,” Rowe coach Paul Reyes said. “After that, things started getting clearer for him.”
Before suffering a neck injury against San Benito, Owens ranked among the Valley’s best and most valuable players. In just five games, he had thrown for 1,061 yards, rushed for another 684 and scored 18 total touchdowns. Reyes called Owens a prototypical, once-in-a-lifetime talent.
For Bosquez, replacing that was no small task.
“He had to mature real quick,” running back Ino Rios said. “I told him, ‘Hector, with Justin Owens going down, you have to be the leader out here.’ And he’s definitely stepped up to the plate. He’s really been amazing with the offense. He stepped up, and you can tell by the way we’re looking out there.”
Bosquez may not be able to do everything Owens can — Reyes said the team will likely rely less on the deep ball and have more of a short- to mid-range passing attack this season — but the junior finds ways to move the ball.
“He’s a playmaker,” Reyes said. “He may not throw the best ball or have the great form, but he does things with his legs. He finds ways to get things done. That’s just the way he is.”
The game has started to slow down, and Bosquez has adjusted to the size and speed difference between JV and varsity. He’s also learned how to better make reads and diagnose coverages.
Receiver Victor Adame has seen an improvement in Bosquez’s accuracy.
“He’s a lot more confident, and his passes are a lot better than they were last year,” Adame said. “He’s a lot more on target.”
Bosquez’ experience and improvement make him Rowe’s frontrunner at quarterback, but pocket passer John Perez has been competing with him in practice.
Whatever his role ends up being, Bosquez is confident he’ll be a better player than he was a year ago.
“I had little bumps,” Bosquez said. “It took me a couple games to start getting used to it. Coming into this year, I think we’re looking real good.”
BLAZING SPEED
Reyes knew that Rios was fast, but this summer he found out just how fast. Competing at the Blue-Grey National All-American Super Combine this summer, Rios ran the fastest 40-yard dash in his position group with a 4.34.
“It was really an unbelievable experience to hit that time,” Rios said.
Rios ran for 176 yards and four touchdowns last season, and Reyes is looking for ways to get Rios and fellow back Jose Chavez more involved in the offense.
“We need to focus a little bit more on getting them the ball sometimes,” Reyes.
NEW COORDINATOR
Rowe is excited about the potential of its defense, which is expected to implement more four-man fronts under new defensive coordinator Michael Uribe.
Uribe was the head coach at Mercedes the past five seasons, racking up a 32-24 record.
“As soon as I found out he was available, I knew this was a move I needed to make,” Reyes said.
Reyes said the switch to get more linemen on the field is due to the strength of the position group and a desire for the defense to become more aggressive. He added that the players have had an easy time picking up the new wrinkles to this point.
“It’s working amazing,” defensive end Dakota Mireles said. “Our defense is so solid.”
PLAYOFF CHASE
Rowe finished last season 3-5 in District 30-5A, two games out of a playoff spot. Reyes and his players have said that shortcoming is driving them this season.
“That’s one of my biggest motivations is coming up short,” Rios said. “That just brings the fire in my eyes and in my heart and it’s just leaving a big chip on my shoulder. We’re going to get there, and we’re going to be the top team this year.”
Reyes said he can see the difference in practice.
“These guys that remain from last year, they’re not happy about the way things ended,” Reyes said. “It’s a bitter taste in their mouth, so they want to atone for it. So no doubt, it’s a driving force.”
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PROGNOSIS
With 11 returning starters and a few new wrinkles on defense, Rowe should expect to make it back to the playoffs after missing out last season.
2014 Record: 6-5
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TENURE
Coach: Paul Reyes
Year at School: 5th
Record at School: 20-22