By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
St. Joseph Academy’s football fortunes in 2014 will depend in large part on the development of quite a few newcomers to the starting lineup.
Even with those new players adapting to starting roles, the Bloodhounds’ offensive objective will remain exactly the same, and that’s to unleash a face-paced, all-over-the-field passing attack that is so quick and diversified that it drives the statkeeper crazy. Actually, the Bloodhounds’ primary goal with their uptempo aerial scheme is to put opposing defenses in a tizzy. Ideally, defenders aren’t able to catch their breaths while not knowing what to expect next. SJA’s rapid-fire play distribution, when functioning at its best, just happens to have that same disconcerting effect on those trying to keep accurate stats during the game.
“Our offense for the past four years during the time that I’ve been playing has basically been the same fast-tempo (passing) attack, and I’ve liked that a lot,” said SJA receiver Jeff Gowen, a senior and starter since his freshman year. “It tires the defense down, and it’s just a system that I’ve always enjoyed.”
The Bloodhounds, coming off a 6-5 playoff season in TAPPS, began two-a-day workouts on Aug. 4 and now are practicing just once daily in the late afternoon since school at SJA started earlier this week.
With only two starters back on offense and four on defense, there are lots of spots to fill due to departures from graduation. It’s a little different than one year ago when there were nine starters returning on each side of the ball.
“We lost a pretty solid senior group from last year,” said Christian Putegnat, now entering his sixth season as the Bloodhounds’ coach. “We’ve got a lot of young faces (on the team) this year, but they’re learning the system, and my expectations are high for them. I think they’re going to do a good job.
“It’s a little different than last year when we went into it with a seasoned group,” Putegnat added. “Now it’s more about reteaching the techniques and making sure everyone understands what his position is (responsible for doing). Last year, our lineup was set when we came into two-a-days, and this year, it’s not. We’ve got a lot of people competing for a lot of positions. But we’re in OK shape.
“I don’t think it’s one of those years where we’re expecting a lot of losses and having to rebuild. We have a pretty good program, and it’s just a matter of getting all the cogs to fall into place and getting those wheels to turn right. Once we get to that point, I think we’ll be good, we’ll be solid.”
Putegnat said the Bloodhounds hope to carry between 35 and 40 players on their varsity roster.
SJA plays its first scrimmage Friday at Rio Hondo and will take on Lopez in a scrimmage Aug. 22 at Sams Memorial Stadium. The Bloodhounds open the season at home against Raymondville on Aug. 29.
There’s no denying the Bloodhounds are eager to play.
“Really, this being my senior year doesn’t change anything,” said SJA linebacker-running back Daniel Matar, a three-year starter, mostly on defense. “We’ve always had the same mentality, and that’s having a fast, hard finish and giving 100 percent effort. I guess the fact that it’s a senior year might motivate others to go harder than usual, but I think I’ve been doingthat (already) during my other seasons.
“We definitely all have excitement for the start of another season and just sending a message that we’re not here to be pushed around,” Matar added. “That’s pretty exciting considering some of the players we have are younger guys. It’s nice to know (that’s our mentality).”