Lobos’ focus on La Joya Palmview, not streak
By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
This is the moment that Lopez has worked for since the spring.
Lopez, which went winless last season, receives its first chance for redemption when it faces La Joya Palmview in a non-district game Friday night in Week 1 at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Lopez struggled last season, mostly due to inexperience. With a year of experience gained, Lopez is eager to get back on the winning track, but that doesn’t mean that’s where its singular focus lies.
“It hasn’t been mentioned once this week, our focus is solely on our opponent,” Lopez coach Jason Starkey said. “They present a great challenge both offensively and defensively. We’re looking forward to seeing where we’re at, so that’s where our focus is. We all know what last year was, but it’s not been a point of conversation among the coaches or our kids.”
La Joya Palmview was a predominantly a running team last season but lost two 1,000-yard rushers to graduation. Although those seniors are gone, La Joya Palmview still will rely on its rushing attack.
Starkey expects La Joya Palmview to run the ball against his defense.
“They hang their hat on running the ball, and we’re going to have to recognize their different sets and align ourselves correctly,” he said. “They can throw, they just choose to not do it as often, but that doesn’t mean they can’t.”
With top receiver Damian Quintanilla returning, La Joya Palmview might throw the ball around a little bit more this season. Especially with quarterback Andrew Puente returning from an injury and Jonathan Zieske could also see some snaps under center, both could test the Lopez secondary early and often.
Either way, La Joya Palmview certainly will test the seven returning starters on the Lopez defense.
“We’re going to have to be our best up front at the line of scrimmage and the linebacker position,” Starkey said. “They’re just going to pound you. You might get a few three-and-outs, but there’s always the possibility of breaking a long (run). It’s going to be physically demanding on our young defense.
“I think they’ve had a really good week of practice, and Coach (Raul) Gomez and that staff has an excellent plan and we’re excited for the challenge.”
Offensively, Lopez returns six starters, including quarterback Saul Mendoza, running back Ivan Olivo and a handful of receivers to throw to. Lopez has the talent and experience to put the points on the board, it just needs to limit turnovers and get good field position on special teams to help out the offense.
Starkey hopes his team can continue to get better in a few areas during the early season.
“Now it’s just up to the kids to go out and execute,” he said. “I think we’ve done a good job preparing them mentally and physically for the challenge.”
The Lopez coach has made sure last season is in the past.
“We’re 0-0 right now, and we’re just focused on this opponent,” Starkey said. “We’re just trying to stay in the moment.”
La Joya Palmview coach Margarito Requenez was unable to be reached for comment.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.