DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
MONTE ALTO — Heading into its third year as a varsity football program, Monte Alto has been running in obscurity.
The Blue Devils have struggled getting kids to participate, have never won more than four games in a season, and, until coach Cesar Castillo came along last season, had never even had an offseason program.
But it is because of Castillo that Monte Alto has something to believe in. Castillo, befuddled by the idea that a varsity football program had no offseason structure or strength and conditioning program, implemented those things, and he has seen the rewards this summer.
“It’s night and day. We can compete physically now,” Castillo said. “There were times last season when we’d step out on the field and I just knew we couldn’t match up physically. That’s no longer the case. We’ve established an offseason, some programs, and the boys have taken advantage.”
The numbers are up, too. At this time last year, Monte Alto had 23 varsity players. This year, it has 27, and Castillo expects to have more than 30 by the time the season rolls around. Castillo has worked hard to recruit kids, and because of the slim depth he has reworked his game plans.
No, not scheming X’s and O’s, but for adequate rest, planning strategically so starters are as strong in the fourth quarter as the first.
“It’s easier in the sense that I already know what to expect at a small school,” said Castillo, an Edcouch native who has coached at Weslaco East and PSJA High. “Last year was my first time at a small school and I didn’t know what was coming. I was surprised by the numbers, but now I know. This year has been better, as far as preparation, but it doesn’t make it any easier as far as expectations on these kids.”
Players have embraced the idea of football as a year-round job. Better late than never.
“Offseason and those strength and conditioning programs have been huge,” junior lineman Omar Reyes said. “The coaches have helped us out a lot. We’ve seen them do their part, doing what it takes to make us better, and now we have to do our part.”
It’s exactly what Castillo wants. If his players see the commitment the coaching staff is putting forward, Castillo said, they will work just as hard in return. Commitment is the primary principle Castillo desires in setting a foundation for success.
“Us being dedicated shows them that we have pride in this school, and they in turn show it by being out here,” Castillo said. “We want the kids to be winning off principles of what has already been established. I’m hoping we win, of course, but I want to build something long-term.”
The process has started.
“That offseason was huge for us,” junior quarterback Frank Rojas said. “We’ve all gotten a lot stronger. It’s as easy as that. The offseason gave us something to improve with, and we all feel better coming into this season.”
GOOD START
Castillo has liked what he has seen in practices, specifically noting the strong effort. Monte Alto returns 14 starters to a program that went 4-5 last season, so there is more of a sense of purpose compared to this time last year.
“We have a bit of everything,” Rojas said. “We know the offense, we have the talent. We look more mature. We have more experience. We’re more focused.”
Rojas is a lefty signal-caller who will have plenty of weapons in the likes of receiver Patrick Andrade and running backs Erik Estrada and George Guajardo.
“We’ve been improving, and we’ve just continued to get better,” junior linebacker/fullback Hector Carlos said. “We’re learning something new every day.”
CLASS IN SESSION
Rojas, Andrade, Carlos and offensive linemen Valerio Cavazos, Miguel Galvan and Cesar Reyes are part of a significant junior class for the Blue Devils.
“Our strength is our junior class,” Castillo said. “They’re the ones that have been the biggest class since freshman year. Their effort and their commitment has been awesome. They’re great role models for the younger kids.”
The class has the opportunity to do what Castillo wants in setting a long-term establishment for success at Monte Alto. Most of the Blue Devils’ talent will come from that group.
BUILDING TRADITION
Speaking of long-term success, building a tradition is something that is very much on the minds of Blue Devil players. The first step is getting to the playoffs.
“It’s been driving us every step of the way,” Omar Reyes said. “We have that hunger in our eyes. We want to win. The strength of our team is family. We’re as strong as our weakest link. We know that, we’re more mature and we’re ready to play.”
Added Carlos: “We’re thinking playoffs. We don’t see it as a hard challenge. We just see a big goal in front of us. We’re pretty excited with the idea that we can start something new here, we can start a tradition.”
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PROGNOSIS
Monte Alto simply does not have the numbers that other teams, like Dilley, Hebbronville and Freer, do in its district. But the talent is there, no question, and Rojas is a quarterback who can lead them to program history. The Blue Devils have what it takes to get to the playoffs, despite their lack of resources, and this is the season they finally get there.
2014 Record: 4-6 (only 9 games scheduled for regular season)
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TENURE
Coach: Cesar Castillo
Years at school: 2
Record at school: 4-5-0