DONNA — Donna High returns just three defensive starters, but second-year coach Ramiro Leal likes what he sees. His guys are faster in pursuit of the ball and have shown greater team speed.
Offensively, however, the Redskins remain a work in progress.
Leal is intent on having an offense that can beat teams with the run or pass. Generally, Donna has been a ground-and-pound I-formation unit, but with junior Amonte Bowen transitioning from running back to quarterback, Leal sees potential for more.
“It’s going to be a growing process, but it’s going to take a while,” Leal said. “We can be versatile. Offense is a numbers game, and it’s about taking what they give you. We want to have an answer for whatever they give us, and then be able to execute that answer.”
So far, Bowen has drawn praise from his teammates. He worked hard in the offseason to become a better passer and improve his leadership skills. That work has paid off.
“He’s grown a lot,” senior offensive lineman Brandon Cardenas said. “He’s more in shape and he’s stronger. He’ll be way better than the guy we saw last year.”
Take it from someone who has to go up against Bowen every day in practice.
“That guy’s tough,” senior free safety Jon Marty said. “He can throw it. It’s a little more dynamic back there with Amonte.”
Leal is more reserved in his praise. He said Bowen has been throwing well, but also stressed how important it was for him to keep doing so.
“We cannot be one-dimensional,” Leal said. “Amonte Bowen has to be able to throw the ball. That’s the key.”
Bowen’s mentality has changed. Instead of just worrying about carrying the ball, he has to worry about check-downs, audibles, reads, and so forth. The entire offense is now his.
“Last year, all I was worried about was getting a first down,” he said. “Now I have to be conscious of each and every down, pushing the ball and getting it moving.”
Leal noted that junior backup Edward Dougherty has played well in camp, and, if necessary, he will look to the smaller but quicker signal-caller if that’s what it comes down to.
“He’s not bad, either,” Leal said. “I want it to be, if we make a switch, we stick with it and go with it. I don’t want a quarterback controversy.”
But it doesn’t sound like Bowen is willing to give up his spot. For Donna, that’s the best case scenario.
“I’ve really tried to work on my confidence, because going from running back to QB is a big jump,” Bowen said. “I’ve worked on explaining to my linemen that I have confidence in them.
“They know I’ve got their back, and I know they’ve got mine.”
FILLING SPOTS
The Redskins return just six starters, so there are plenty of open spots.
“We lost a lot of depth, but we don’t rebuild,” Marty said. “We reload. That’s what it comes down to. We have guys that can step in and they’re doing a great job.”
Sophomores like offensive lineman Juan Vallejo, defensive lineman Mat Molina and running back Edson Alvarado have emerged as contributors to help fill the talent void.
“We’ve seen who wants to play and who doesn’t want to play,” Bowen said. “We’ve had some underclassmen come up and now they’re with the big boys. We’re seeing if they really want to play or if they’re going to be playing again on Thursday nights.”
IN THE TRENCHES
Cardenas, Thomas Calderon and Troy Billman anchor a big offensive line. Adam Chapa, who may be faster than some of the team’s receivers, is the big cog on the defensive line.
“We have youth, but we have experience,” the 6-2, 275-pound Cardenas said of his line. “You have guys like Billman who was a sophomore last year, saw a lot of playing time, and now he’s a junior. We have a lot of key players on the O-line, which will be great.”
Bowen said the lines have been battling hard.
“Our D-linemen are pushing our offensive linemen, and that’s good,” Bowen said. “Our defense is making us better and we’re filling in the pieces. Competition has made that easier.”
WANTED: HEALTH
Numbers, or lack thereof, have affected Donna. Two years ago, the Redskins had 105 freshmen and fielded a varsity and two JV teams. Now, because of the introduction of Donna North, the Redskins have 100 JV and varsity kids, total, and just 45 freshmen.
With that in mind, Leal said health could be the factor behind his team making the playoffs again.
“I remember playing a scrimmage at Sharyland in 2003 where our offensive line lost three starters to knee injuries, out for the season,” Leal said. “Last year we played in La Joya, lost two starters to knee injuries. You just never know what’s going to happen.
“The depth is not what it used to be here, with the two schools, so the key is injuries. We simply don’t have the big numbers.”
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PROGNOSIS
Donna will be big and strong, and Bowen is one of the more athletic quarterbacks in the Valley. Expect a second straight playoff appearance.
2014 Record: 6-5
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TENURE
Coach: Ramiro Leal
Years at school: 2
Record at school: 7-4