Valley View enjoys big turnout amid change in coaches, philosophy

By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — Since arriving at Valley View in January, first-time coach Carlos Saenz has had an active role in recruitment, trying to generate interest in a team that was in the district cellar a year ago.

Selling them on different philosophical approaches, from practice regimens to style of play, Saenz had 83 players show up for the first week of two-a-days, enough to fill out multiple teams. The turnout is a stark contrast from last year, when the Tigers opened practice with 45 players, all on varsity. And through injuries and other setbacks, they finished with roughly 30 players and out of the playoff hunt.

Erik Gonzalez was among those who left the team amid a coaching change two years ago. But with Saenz at the helm, the senior wide receiver gave football another shot.

“I like our coach,” Gonzalez said. “At lunch, he and the (assistant) coaches would come out and recruit guys who used to play football. He said he’d take care of us, and it made me want to come out and play.”

Saenz’s style of play (a spread offense) suits Gonzalez well. So does his approach to practice.

“Yes, I work the kids hard,” Saenz said, “but if they get tired, I tell them to go get some rest. Before, they’d say Coach would get mad at them. But if you’re going to give me all you got, when your gas tank is empty, go fill it up with some water.

“Football’s a demanding sport, I know that. I played it all my life. So, positive attitudes bring out positive outcomes.”

With depth no longer a concern, Valley View figures to be more competitive than its 1-9 overall record, including 1-5 in district, in 2014. During 7-on-7 ball, the Tigers went 7-2. And with 31 seniors on a 45-player varsity roster, they’re encouraged that fewer players will have to play both sides of the ball this season.

“There’s a lot of excitement,” Saenz said. “Hopefully that translates to wins.”

LEANING ON EXPERIENCE

Last year, the Tigers produced a meager 96 points (lowest in district), along with the second-fewest yards (182.3) per contest in 31-5A. On defense, they gave up district highs in yards (328) and points per game (36.5).

To combat the issues, Saenz brought in experienced coordinators in Elifonso Esquivel, who was talked out of retirement to lead the defense, and Rick Valdez for offense. A head coach and coordinator for 38 years, Esquivel has led some of the better defenses in district while at La Feria and PSJA High.

With multiple gaps in its defense, Valley View hopes to utilize the strengths of Carlos Baitz, an all-district middle linebacker moving to defensive end, and inside linebacker Robert Serna.

Valdez has coached for 15 years, most recently as the offensive coordinator at PSJA North. He enjoyed a resurgence there with Saenz, who was the offensive line coach, helping to turn around a North team from 0-10 in 2013 to 5-6 and a first-round exit in 2014.

Saenz has 20 years experience and is entering his first head football job, succeeding Baldo Peña. In two years at Valley View, Peña went a combined 3-17 before resigning.

MAKEOVER

With the football field planning to install new turf, Valley View has moved two-a-days to the neighboring baseball field.

During the offseason, the football field was vandalized, Saenz said, and a plan is in place to replace it soon, along with a new, double-sided scoreboard that the baseball team can also use. The team is also adding new sleds, face masks, uniforms and modifications to their helmets.

UNDER CENTER

With Daniel Lince transferring to Sharyland High for his senior year, Jorge Aguilar will take over the reins at quarterback.

A backup last year, Aguilar spent most of his time at middle linebacker. With an enhanced role now, Aguilar has described two-a-days as a learning process, especially considering the team is steering away from running the ball as much as it did last year.

“It’s been pretty good,” Aguilar said. “Coach is showing me a lot of stuff. I’m learning about reads, positions. How to read a corner, how to read a defensive end, trying to read everyone to do the handoffs. I’m enjoying it.”

[email protected]

VALLEY VIEW’S PROGNOSIS

Valley View’s success this year will hinge on how quickly it learns the new schemes. With added depth, it should improve on last year’s dismal mark.

Projected 2015 Record: 3-7.

TENURE

Coach: Carlos Saenz

Year at school: 1st

Record at Valley View: 0-0