When Edinburg Economedes’ coaches were looking for a scout team running back during the spring, they turned to 6-foot-2, 227-pound Doroteo Arreola.
In 2013, Arreola was a first-team all-District 30-5A tight end, due in no small measure to his devastating blocking. But those spring practices made an impression on coach Gabe Peña and his assistants. Heading into 2014, Arreola is the team’s starting halfback.
“We’ve got to give Doroteo more touches,” Peña said. “He’s just a specimen.”
Arreola will be one of many key cogs in the Jaguars’ run-first offense as the team looks to reach the playoffs for a third consecutive year.
The coaches have praised Arreola for his agility, athleticism and ability to find cutback lanes. And, obviously, he figures to be a bruiser. Running back Jesse Gonzalez called Arreola a “monster,” and Arreola says he can run a 4.89 40-yard dash. That should translate well to the backfield.
“I like the aggression,” Arreola said. “I like the speed. I like having the ball.”
When Economedes goes to its shotgun spread attack — something they began to incorporate last year and will continue to use this fall — Arreola will switch back to tight end. In 2013 he made 16 catches for 271 yards and a touchdown. He already has the trust of new quarterback David Garcia.
“I feel comfortable with him, because he’s a three-year starter,” Garcia said. “In case I’m in trouble, I know I can rely on him to help me out.”
Arreola played quarterback as a freshman, and he can still throw the ball a little bit if Economedes needs him. Against Edinburg last season, Arreola threw a 50-yard touchdown pass on a trick play.
He even made first-team all-district as a punter, a role he expects to reprise in 2014.
With his move to halfback adding a dimension to the running game, Economedes is hoping he won’t have to punt very often. And Arreola is just one piece of the offensive puzzle.
“We have a lot of kids who are going to touch the ball,” Peña said. “We’re not going to have a 1,000-yard rusher.”
Jesse Gonzalez, now a junior, is a returning starter at tailback. Charlie Vela, who last track season won the district 100-meter dash championship in 11.20 seconds, will join him.
“That’s one thing that we haven’t had in my four years: We’ve got some speed,” Peña said. “We have some speed for the first time.”
Between Arreola, the two fast tailbacks, the running threat provided by Garcia and the continued addition of more spread elements, Economedes is optimistic about its offense.
“It’s going to be tough to stop us,” Gonzalez said.
NEW QUARTERBACK
Garcia has spent most of his career on the bench, including the vast majority of last season. This year, he’s ready for that to change.
“Throughout most of my career, I’ve been watching,” Garcia said. “This spring, I just started picking it up and picking it up. I’ve been here pretty good, getting better. Just want to let it show out here on the field.”
Garcia said he’s more confident, and Peña said he’s confident in his team’s passing game. Garcia will also present a threat on the ground.
“David brings us a dimension that we haven’t had,” Peña said. “We have a running quarterback, and we haven’t had that in the past.”
PROGRAM BUILDING
During Peña’s first season, in 2011, Economedes went 0-10. Since then, the team has made back-to-back playoff appearances, and Pena sees that upward trend continuing.
“We’re at about 190 in our program, and we’re real proud of that,” Peña said. “When I first got here, we had 40 in our athletic period. I wanted to go back to Weslaco the first day, because I didn’t know what I had gotten myself into.”
He said the biggest differences from then to now are continuity in the coaching staff and players buying into their roles.
THE LINEBACKERS
Economedes returns four defensive starters, including linebackers Israel Gomez and Amador Puente.
“We’ve got two Energizer bunnies there,” Peña said.
Puente believes the group will be the strength of Economedes’ blitzing, aggressive defense.
“We’re going to carry the team,” Puente said. “We’re going to stick it to anybody they put in front of us.”
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PROGNOSIS
Coach Gabe Pena has the program on the right track. Although Economedes returns only four starters on each side of the ball, the team should still be in line for a playoff berth.
2014 Record: 6-5
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TENURE
Coach: Gabe Pena
Year at school: 4th
Record at school: 12-20