DONNA — This is a year of firsts for Donna North.
Their first year as a varsity football program. Eventually the Chiefs will earn their first win, score their first touchdown.
And they already have their first quarterback competition. Sophomore Manny Ramirez (6-1, 175) and senior Oscar Colon (5-9,180) have split reps during practices to see who will lead coach Tommy Sauceda’s spread offense.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve wanted to play varsity football,” Ramirez said. “Now it’s here. It’s difficult when you’re competing for a spot with a guy older than you, but I’m getting there. I’m working hard.”
Sauceda said he would like to pick one guy before starting the season at La Feria. But, if necessary, he will go with two.
“They’re both competing, and that’s the thing,” Sauceda said. “The quarterback has to be our leader, and they’re both progressing. Up to this point, they’re battling and we’ll see how it goes.”
The Chiefs pretty much have their other skill position spots set. Juan Torres and Richard Gomez are promising talents at wideout, and Sauceda raves about his backfield of Marco Cruz and Dominic Ochoa.
Now the job is finding out if Ramirez or Colon, or maybe both, is the answer under center. Colon said the toughest thing to learn has been reads to the different types of defensive coverages the Chiefs will see, but each quarterback has improved his footwork, timing with receivers and knowledge of Sauceda’s system.
“It’s a matter of staying positive, no matter what happens,” Colon said. “There are going to be good days, there are going to be bad days. Manny’s a good quarterback. No doubt.
“Whether they go with me or him, the good thing is we’ll win either way.”
Even their teammates are split. Ramirez is more of a prototypical spread quarterback in size, and he has slightly better arm strength, but otherwise the two are tit for tat in skillset.
“They’re both good quarterbacks,” Gomez said. “It comes down to who works harder. Both are very talented, I’d take either one, but I want the one that works harder.”
And as Cruz puts it: “Those guys are going to make plays on game day. That’s the bottom line.”
INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE
The Chiefs played a junior varsity football schedule last season in the school’s inaugural year. Donna North went 5-4 playing against Class 2A and 3A schools, and some 5A junior varsities.
“To play against varsity teams was a good experience,” Gomez said. “It only gives us more confidence, and we need that going into such a tough district.”
Sauceda said the experience was invaluable, particularly with a 32-5A slate looming against teams like in-town rival Donna, Edcouch-Elsa, Mercedes and PSJA High.
“The biggest thing we got accomplished is we were able to play some Friday night games,” Sauceda said. “We won’t be deer in the headlights. We’ll know what to expect when the lights come on.”
THE START OF SOMETHING
The Chiefs have about 105 players in practices this month, and Sauceda is hoping that number can reach closer to 130 by the time the season starts in two weeks.
“We have something to play for now,” Sauceda said. “Our kids are excited. We have an uphill battle, we understand that, but we’ll be ready.”
The Chiefs are eager to start their own tradition and represent the Donna community on their own standing.
“It’s exciting,” Cruz said. “You’re going against people you know, for the pride of the community. It’s on us to start something this community can be proud of.”
CHIEFS TO WATCH
Other Chiefs that have stood out in practice include sophomore linemen Juan Martinez and Luis Castillo, sophomore running back Dominique Ochoa, junior defensive lineman Manuel Lerma, linebacker Carlos Huertado and junior safety Dominick Castillo.
“For us to be successful, they’ll have to lead us,” Sauceda said. “And right now, they’re doing a great job leading by example.”
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PROGNOSIS
The tools are in place for Donna North to be competitive sooner rather than later. Going .500 would be a considerable first impression for the Chiefs, but District 32-5A is loaded with talent.
2014 Record: 4-6
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TENURE
Coach: Tommy Sauceda
Years at school: 1
Record at school: 0-0