JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — What a difference a year can make.
Last fall, Cristian Espinoza was playing quarterback for the Edinburg North freshman football team, a budding talent eager to start under center on a bigger stage. Now, he’s taking starting snaps on a rejuvenated Cougars team (4-3 overall, 2-1 District 31-6A).
Espinoza’s skill set is apparent: accuracy in the air, quickness on the ground and poise in the pocket. In his first start, a 30-14 win over Edinburg High in Week 7, he completed 7-of-10 attempts, gaining 125 passing yards and a touchdown. For the season, he has amassed 117 rushing yards.
But what began his assent up the depth chart was simpler than stats and football jargon. It was opportunity.
The Cougars graduated 41 seniors, including 19 starters from a year ago, leaving many holes in head coach Rene Saenz’s roster. But Saenz refused to use the term “rebuilding,” not wanting to diminish his team’s expectations. He’s more comfortable with the more apt term, “retooling.”
“We’re just trying to find our starting group,” Saenz says. “And over the past couple of weeks we’ve settled into a very solid rotation.”
Espinoza is taking the promotion in stride, refusing to succumb to the pressures of the gig.
“It’s business as usual,” Espinoza said. “I just try to focus and concentrate, and all the pressure goes away.”
Saenz was initially apprehensive about a sophomore helming the most important position on the field, preferring the experience of senior Martin Rodriguez. However, after a 42-0 loss against PSJA North, Espinoza was inserted into the starting unit.
“(Cristian) proved himself every day in practice.” Saenz said. “But I like our sophomores producing, because we have them for three more years.”
The move hasn’t changed the Cougars’ run-first offensive approach; it’s simply made it more efficient.
“(Espinoza) has been more of a runner than (Rodriguez),” Saenz said.
Together with senior running back Matt Whitesides, who leads the team with 722 rushing yards, the pair makes for a formidable run attack.
For Espinoza, improving his rushing abilities was a priority coming into training camp.
“I just worked on my speed,” Espinoza said. “I’m always trying to get faster.”
Rodriguez, who sees himself as a leader on a team brimming with younger talent, has responded to Saenz’s decision with grace. During practice, he and Espinoza often communicate to each other, the senior coaching his successor.
“I’m always showing him what’s happening, what to do and what do look for,” Rodriguez says. “We’re brothers on the field.”
Espinoza’s second start will come Friday on the road against Weslaco High (2-4, 1-1). The Panthers, who are coming off of a bye week, are one of three teams tied with Edinburg North for first place District 31-6A.
“It will be about mental toughness,” Rodriguez said. “We have to go all out on it.”