By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MONTE ALTO — In four years as a varsity program, Monte Alto has never had the depth at wide receiver that it anticipates this season.
In the past, they relied on Stephen Baxter and Jesse Treviño to carry the load. Trey Treviño was another option at tight end. But now, thanks to a pair of speedy incoming freshmen, the Blue Devils expect to veer from their ground-and-pound game.
“We’ve always tried to implement a passing game, but for one reason or another, we couldn’t do it,” coach Cesar Castillo said. “We’d have a misalignment, a blocking call, a dropped ball. It just didn’t pan out for us. But this year, it seems like the passing game will be an added benefit for us.
“And with the way (quarterback) Frank (Rojas) is throwing, we’ll be able to do that.”
Having been an offensive coordinator at Weslaco East, Adrian Gomez was accustomed to drawing running plays his first two years at Monte Alto. But with C.J. Castillo and Marco Oseguera impressing with their speed and catching abilities, Gomez intends to take full advantage of their multiple i-formation.
“We’re going to do all kinds of things to out-flank you and get to the outside,” Gomez said. “We got a lot of speed coming up. I know they’re just freshmen kids, but they run track (as part of the TAAF programs and Monte Alto’s offseason regimen) and they’ve been here all summer doing strength and conditioning, working on their speed.
“They’ve exceeded expectations, and they’ve definitely impressed me.”
During two-a-days, the young tandem has been fearless in absorbing tackles. Gomez has used them inside with short, quick screens, allowing them to get catches and “see what they could do one-on-one against a corner or a safety.”
Their burst is a welcome addition to a receiving corps that wasn’t known for its speed. By pairing the newcomers with the returning wideouts, Gomez believes “we’ll be able to go N.B.A. (nothing but air) — triples on one side, doubles on the other.”
“All five can catch the ball,” Castillo added.
BULKING UP
Asked why Monte Alto has struggled to make the playoffs in three years, Rojas points to the team’s size.
More than their roster limitations — the Blue Devils have carried between 25-27 players the past two years — the southpaw believes they weren’t strong enough to compete against more established programs. So going into his senior year, Rojas bulked up by eating noodles and lifting weights.
He added roughly 30 pounds to his 6-foot-1 frame, weighing in at 180 pounds. Now, he figures to play a bit more at running back, as well, in addition to his defensive assignment at cornerback.
“I’m excited about it,” Rojas said. “Last year, we were too small. We were underweight and not strong enough. But we worked hard in the offseason because we want to make the playoffs.”
ON THE BUBBLE
Part of the team’s success could very well hinge on the some of the players absent from two-a-days.
Castillo said 25 players showed up for the first week — two fewer than a year ago. But that number could grow, depending on whether 9-10 players, who spent their summers as migrant workers in Michigan, return in time.
“This is the first time we experienced this many go up north,” Castillo said. “It’s unusual.
“It hurts us by not having them out there because we’re losing experience and valuable starters, but it does create opportunities for the kids to step up and earn their stripes.”
Leading that group is Damien Martinez, a gifted running back, whose return date is uncertain. It could set back a program already believed to be the smallest in district, as it vies for its first playoff appearance since its inception four years ago.
MATURITY
Monte Alto will rely its first graduating class to try to get it over the hump. It boasts 14 returners (seven on each side), including eight seniors. So far, three-year starter Omar Reyes has seen the experience pay off.
“We’ve been progressing,” said Reyes, a center and defensive tackle. “We’re more mature, more experienced, and we’re all dedicated to the program. We expect great things.”
MONTE ALTO’S PROGNOSIS
Much depends on whether Monte Alto gets back its player working out of state. With low participating number as it is, the Blue Devils need all the depth they can get.
Projected 2015 Record: 3-7.
TENURE
Coach: Cesar Castillo
Year at school: 3rd
Record at Monte Alto: 4-13
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