RIO GRANDE CITY — Optimism has never been greater at Grulla High School.
The Gators are coming off a school-best 8-4 season that resulted in the football program’s first bi-district playoff championship. Twelve starters return this season, seven on offense.
But Grulla is not without some holes, including a fairly glaring one. A three-year letterman and 2013 All-Valley Offensive Player of the Year is no longer under center; Rey Peñablanca graduated in the spring.
Now it’s up to senior Eddie Anzaldua to step up and be the man. It’s a job he sounds ready for.
“I’ve been playing quarterback since my elementary years,” Anzaldua said. “I’ve been used to it, and it feels pretty good to be the guy now. I don’t feel any pressure. I have more responsibility, sure, but I can handle it.”
Anzaldua is not the dual-threat Peñablanca was. But he’s bigger (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) and has a better arm. Whereas the Gators primarily used shorter, quicker routes under Peñablanca’s leadership, they’re able to open things up more with Anzaldua.
“It’s been different, but we’ve just got to get accustomed to him, get things working,” senior tackle Aaron Barrera said. “Rey was an All-Valley player, but Eddie has a cannon for an arm. Our passing game is going to be better.”
Anzaldua is part of a big senior class for Grulla. The Gators have 42 players on varsity this season opposed to the 32 they carried last season. It is this senior class that won district championships in their eighth and ninth grade years, with Anzaldua as the quarterback, before most of the players moved up to varsity their sophomore years.
“It helps a lot,” Anzaldua said. “We have pretty good communication and the bond is already there. We trust each other. The mentality has been to play like a champion.”
The Gators have their four receivers returning, including explosive senior Troy Trillayes, and will have a deep tailback rotation that includes Albert Zuniga, MJ Garza and CJ Cantu. So the help will be there for Anzaldua.
Now it’s a matter of how quickly he can acclimate himself to running the show for a District 16-4A DI title contender.
“He was a little shaky at the beginning, a little nervous, but he’s gotten better,” Trillayes said. “We’ve talked to him about staying calm and just throwing the ball, and he’s improving. He looks more and more comfortable out there.”
LINE ‘EM UP
Anzaldua will be buoyed by a deep, veteran offensive line, led by Barrera, that coach Abel Gonzalez III said will be stronger. Aside from the 6-1, 270-pounder Barrera, there is also guards Nazario Garza (5-10, 270) and Gilbert Vera.
Gonzalez said this is the biggest offensive line Grulla has had.
“We’ve always been pretty solid up front,” Gonzalez said. “Even though we are a spread team, you’ll probably see us run the ball 60 percent of the time, maybe more.”
DEFENSE HAS PROMISE
The one potential concern for Grulla is defense. The Gators lost All-Valley linebacker Adnan Cantu and only return five starters on that side of the ball.
“We’ll have the guys. They just need experience,” Gonzalez said. “As far as athletic ability, size, speed, we have it. They have a great grasp of the concepts and we’re just plugging kids and getting guys a lot of reps because we’ll be at least two-deep across the linebackers and secondary.”
The defense will be led by linebackers Desse Zarate and Juan Pena, who tallied 95 tackles last season.
SHINING STAR
With Peñablanca and first-team all-district running back Robert Camarillo graduated, Trillayes will be the guy to watch for the Gators.
Trillayes, a first-team All-Valley selection in 2013 who amassed 1,021 yards of total offense and 12 total touchdowns, is known for his speed and athleticism. He is listed as a slot receiver, but will play anywhere and everywhere.
“I feel I’m more focused and my conditioning is a lot better,” Trillayes said. “I just want to be the best player I can be. I just want people to remember me.”
Gonzalez said Trillayes is ready for a bigger stage.
“Troy’s a quiet kid, naturally, but he’s taken over that leadership role,” Gonzalez said. “He understands he’s going to be keyed on. He’s ready to step up to that challenge, and he’s grown a lot in his understanding of what we’re doing and his role.”
================
PROGNOSIS
The Gators are deep, strong, athletic and talented. Last year’s playoff run was invaluable experience, and falling one game short of the district title means they are not running short on hunger. This should be another historic year in the making for Grulla.
2014 Record: 10-3
=================
TENURE
Coach: Abel Gonzalez III
Years at school: 5
Record at school: 20-23-0