PSJA High coach Steve Marroquin sees what everybody else sees in PSJA Southwest, Friday’s District 32-5A opponent at PSJA Stadium.
“I see a hungry football team,” Marroquin said. “I see a team that’s well-coached. I see a team that has grown and will be ready to play.”
He’s right on all accounts. In their third year of varsity play, the Javelinas are one of the pleasant stories in Valley football. Last week’s district-opening win against Donna High not only gave Southwest its first district win ever, but also gave it win No. 3, its most in a single season.
The Javelinas are 3-1 overall after a 1-9 2013 campaign, using strong senior leadership, a dominant run game and opportunistic defense to help right the ship.
“Right now we’re on a high,” Southwest coach Jesus Reyes said. “We’re practicing well, everything’s on the bounce. The kids are moving. The first district win gave us a boost and the kids are proud of themselves. They feel they’re playing up to their expectations.”
The Bears, however, are in flux. PSJA High is 2-2 and coming off a 21-7 loss to Edcouch-Elsa in its district opener at home last week.
Once again, offense was the issue.
The Bears turned it over three times and could not sustain offensive momentum. PSJA High, which has the district’s best defense statistically but second-worst offense, has just two passing touchdowns to 10 interceptions.
The answer to those woes, Marroquin said, is simply game reps. Junior quarterback Andrew Castaneda will be making just his eighth varsity start tonight, but something needs to happen offensively or else PSJA High, considered a district title contender entering the season, could find itself on the outside looking in.
“We’ve been in every game,” Marroquin said. “We’re giving ourselves a chance. We’ve just got to keep learning. I see we’re competitive. We’re telling our kids to keep doing the little things right and big things will happen.”
The Bears’ offense looked its best in the second quarter last week when Marroquin used four quarterbacks — Castaneda, a talented passer; gifted runners Troy Flores and Bobby Guajardo; and sophomore Marc Castillo. The diversity had Edcouch-Elsa’s defense on its heels.
It was in that frame that PSJA High found the end zone for the only time of the night. The mixing and matching under center is something Marroquin will continue doing.
“We played with more energy,” he said of the second quarter. “We settled more into the game and got more into the flow. I like what each kid presents. The possibilities are good and it’s only a matter of time before we get going offensively.”
While falling 0-2 in district would be a precarious situation, Marroquin is not placing more significance on tonight than any other game.
“Every game in district is a must-win,” he said. “This is important. We know how big it is. We want to play our best on Friday night, there’s no doubt about it.”
Southwest, meanwhile, has been strong in almost all aspects. The offense averages 33 points on 344.5 yards. The defense allows 20 points on 287.3 yards per game.
The Javelinas have the district’s top rusher in junior Jesus Acosta and an offense that doesn’t hurt itself with giveaways.
The result has not only been a good standing this season, but enough to establish something — anything — for the program moving forward.
“We don’t have background,” Reyes said. “We have nothing to compare this to. Going up 2-0 (in district) continues building standards and expectations. It makes things easier. This is big not just for this season, but for building something, period.
“We’re telling the kids we don’t win games on Fridays. We win them with our preparation Monday, our attitudes Tuesday and our push on Wednesday. We don’t hype anything. It’s simply game five. Let’s just get better.”