DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
Nobody knew what to expect out of Rio Grande City this season.
Even with a new head coach and new offensive coordinator implementing a new culture and ideas, the Rattlers did not have spring football and did not participate in 7-on-7 football.
The Rattlers had an idea of who they were, however, and they weren’t about to let others in on the secret. New coach Aaron Garcia was satisfied with what he saw during workouts in the football class to not hold spring ball, and new offensive coordinator Paul Reyes felt 7-on-7 offered nothing for an offense built off the threat of the run, facing defenses that looked nothing like what’s seen on Friday nights.
Six games into the season, Rio Grande City is apparently doing something right. The Rattlers are 5-1 overall, 3-1 in a demanding District 31-5A, and already surpassed last season’s win total by two games. What the Rattlers are is a team that Garcia and Reyes already suspected: a physically strong and speedy defensive unit with an able, versatile offense that has made the most of opportunities.
Not many saw the Rattlers getting off to a hot start. The Rattlers did. Kind of.
“I expected to be 6-0,” junior quarterback Jason Perez said. “I don’t think we should have lost that game (an underwhelming 20-16 loss to Laredo Martin three weeks ago). But coming in, and seeing the attitude everyone had and how hard we worked during the preseason, it was great. You knew something special would happen.”
So far, it’s happened. The defense has been dominant, allowing 11.5 points on 267.3 yards per game. The front is as physical and fast as any in the Rio Grande Valley, and the secondary full of juniors has matured fast under coordinator Kevin Whaley, a holdover from the previous regime.
The offense, meanwhile, may hold the key.
Reyes brought a spread offense, the same foundation used by coach Carlos Longoria in years past, but with one major difference: instead of a fullback/tight end, Reyes opts to use another receiver.
That extra weapon on the perimeter has opened things for Perez, the Rattlers’ second-year starting quarterback. Perez has grown into his own as a crucial piece in Reyes’ QB-driven attack.
“He’s gotten a lot more comfortable in the offense, he’s making very good decisions,” Garcia said. “He’s a quiet guy and he’s always absorbing information. He’s always getting better.
“His presence alone commands respect.”
Perez has completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 887 yards and eight touchdowns to three interceptions, and he’s rushed for 580 yards and six touchdowns. The passing numbers are good for second-best in 31-5A and the rushing numbers are the best in the district.
It’s that running dynamic that has been a boon for Rio Grande City. The Rattlers’ projected No. 1 running back, Casimiro Olivarez, has been a non-factor all season. Perez’s ability to run is key for an offense that doesn’t have pure athleticism, but boasts gritty playmakers, like the receiving duo of twin brothers Diego and Javi Garcia, who play tough and physical.
It also helps that Perez has the size to run over people. He stands 6-foot-1, 183 pounds.
“He’s a very tough runner,” Reyes said. “He’s physical. He’s not shy about contact, and I knew he was a good runner, but I didn’t really know how physical and how tough he is. That was a pleasant surprise.”
It didn’t take long for Reyes to hand over complete control of his offense to Perez. Perez is given freedom to audible at the line of scrimmage if the defensive coverage calls for it. As the season has gone on, his reads have gotten stronger.
The learning curve of a new offense has been a trying one for Perez, but he’s intelligent. Perez is ranked in the top 1 percent of his class academically and is part of the health science program at Rio Grande City.
Picking up on new things is as easy for Perez as throwing a screen pass.
“We took it step by step,” Reyes said. “In the beginning, it was about getting comfortable in the offense. Then we started playing out what he could and couldn’t do and what he could change. The last couple of weeks, we’d watch film against our scout defense and now he’s the one asking questions and dictating what he should or shouldn’t do. I said, ‘Good, now you’re seeing the bigger picture.’ He’s starting to really understand the ins and outs and knows he can go to something different and still be effective.”
Friday night, the Rattlers face their toughest opponent so far in Sharyland Pioneer. Rio Grande City’s remaining four games are against 31-5A heavy-hitters: Pioneer, Laredo Nixon, Mission Veterans Memorial and Sharyland High.
The Rattlers are still looking for that signature district win (or two) to secure their playoff bid. An emotional win over Roma a couple weeks ago might be one. Friday could be another.
“It’s definitely huge,” Perez said. “If we can get this win, it means a step closer to getting that playoff spot. Coach (Garcia) emphasizes just to keep doing what we’re doing and not worry about anything on the outside.
“Right now, everybody has a winning mentality. Everybody’s working hard and every single player on this team is doing the best he can.”