MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Mission Veterans Memorial’s practice on Monday won’t be remembered for its play on the field.
Coach David Gilpin admitted there are areas his players still need to improve. But as far as enthusiasm and effort is concerned, the Patriots didn’t appear to lack any coming off a 14-7 season-opening victory over their rivals, Mission High, and heading into a road game against Odessa Permian on Saturday.
“I’ve been coaching for 25 years and if it wasn’t the best Monday practice that I’ve ever been associated with, it’s in the top two or three,” Gilpin said. “It wasn’t that we did everything correctly; we made a lot of mistakes. It was about the mentality and an energy level that most Mondays are missing at most programs.
“You do everything you can not to drag through a Monday, but that’s difficult because that’s the further point (in the week) from your game. So Monday’s a tough day. But I tell you what, the coaches were on point, the kids’ attitude was point from the word ‘go’ at 7 a.m. Our kids were in tune with what we were doing. Everyone had a bounce in their step. With a Mission win and a Permian team on Saturday, it all added together.”
That spirited effort perhaps trickled down from the coaching staff, which got together at 5:30 a.m. Saturday — hours after beating Mission — to break down film from the night before. The usual 9 a.m. practice was moved to 7 a.m. to give the staff ample time to address the team before driving four hours to watch Permian take on McAllen High in Converse.
Gilpin said he could’ve waited to receive Permian’s game film Monday morning but he chose to go in person to “see where they were on the sidelines and see their energy level on the field.”
ATTENTION TO DEFENSE
Roma placed plenty of emphasis shoring up its defense this season, and in Week 1 it came in first among District 31-5A teams in yards allowed, giving up a meager 82 in a 14-7 road win over La Joya High.
“These guys stepped up,” Roma coach Max Habecker Jr. said. “I think the coaching staff did a great job working together to make sure all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. And I think the guys did a great job on the field communicating with each other.”
What’s more, Roma did that despite having to make plenty of adjustments. Marte Guerra, a center, came out with an injury, and sophomore Juan Castillo slid into that role from guard. Sophomore Sylvestre Grimaldo, a defensive end, filled in for Castillo. Later, Grimaldo checked out of the game with cramps, replaced by Joaquin Cantu to close out the final drive that sealed the game.
So was it any surprise that Roma’s defense hung in, considering the changes?
“Yeah, but I think that’s a tribute to our kids and the style that we practice,” Habecker said. “We have a lot of depth. We play both ways. We practice both ways. And that in it of itself gives us more depth with more quality players.”
FINE-TUNING
There were plenty of positives Edinburg Vela could take from its 56-21 victory over Brownsville Pace. Ebher Lopez completed 14 of 21 passes for 241 yards and five touchdowns. His SaberCat teammates tallied 243 yards on the ground.
But to beat Harlingen South this week, Vela coach Michael Salinas understands his team needs to do the little things even better — like protecting the ball (two fumbles last week) — in an effort to avoid close margins at intermission.
“We’re going to have to play cleaner, less penalties and play better with special teams,” Salinas said. “Harlingen South went into Weslaco last week and played a really good Weslaco ballclub and came out on top (28-18). They’re a very well-coached team.
“It’s going to take a great effort in every phase of the game. South’s a very disciplined football team. So we’ve got to eliminate the big plays.”