HARLINGEN — After advancing to the second round of the playoffs last season, the Harlingen South Hawks took to the practice field for two-a-day practices this week knowing that the road back will be one that involves a lot of learning.
As the Hawks prepare and condition, they do so with the intention of trying to get his team as much experience as possible, even if it is only practice reps.
“We’re not experienced and we have to get experienced quickly. We’re trying to get game experience at practice, but we’re getting better everyday, we just have to speed up the process as much as possible,” said Harlingen South head football coach Lanny Wilson on Tuesday.
“These guys are tough guys. We’re right where we should be. We need to get in a little better shape, but we’re right where we should be.”
The Hawks return just four starters and eight players overall from last year’s 10-2 squad that made it to the area round of the playoffs before being bounced by Edinburg North 39-14.
Still, the confidence is there among the returning players as they head into a slightly different District 32-6A.
“I feel we picked up where we left off. Everything looks good and everyone looks like they are ready to compete. We feel really good coming into practice. We’re running a lot — it’ll help out in the long run,” senior center Jake Martinez said. “We need to keep a high head, work hard, come to practice and not take anything for granted.”
Martinez will be one of the leaders on a team with few lettermen returning as he commands the rest of the offensive line.
On defense, senior safety James Carpio returns after a solid junior season where he recorded 84 tackles and recovered four fumbles.
Carpio feels that his team’s seniors will need to step up as leaders if the 2014 Hawks are to have success this season.
“It’s the first week back. It’s about getting the little things done, knowing where every one goes and knowing our roles. I really would like to be more of a leader this year,” Carpio said. “We’ll have to work as a team because we need everyone to be on the same level and mindset. The team is younger, but we have sophomores stepping up who are doing real well and filling in spots and our seniors are looking real good.”
While the underclassmen have been working this spring and summer, they are still relatively inexperienced in Wilson’s eyes, but know how to play.
However, that play hasn’t been at the varsity level.
“We’re not varsity experienced. We believe in our underclassmen playing, so if they don’t start, we don’t put them on the varsity,” Wilson said.” Our guys have playing experience, but very little playing experience. We just need to do a great job coaching them and getting them in the right place if we’re going to be successful.”
The Hawks will scrimmage McAllen Memorial next week and open the season on the road against Weslaco on Aug. 29.
With the season just around the corner, the Hawks cannot gauge where they are as a team at the moment, but they feel that they are progressing.
“We really don’t know where we’re at right now. The district has gotten tougher,” Wilson said. ”We’re getting better each day, but it’s hard to tell where we’re at right now. We’ll know quickly.”