DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
Because of 16 returning starters and a program that has garnered serious momentum the last couple of years, Roma was a sexy preseason pick to win District 31-5A this year.
That could still happen, but heading into Week 6, the Gladiators are in a precarious situation having lost three consecutive games and still searching for their first district win.
But not all hope is lost. Roma’s early district schedule is top-heavy. The Gladiators lost 28-20 to Laredo Nixon to open district play, and then fell 20-16 at Mission Veterans Memorial and, last week, 24-21 to Rio Grande City.
Those three opponents have a combined overall record of 13-2 and a combined district record of 8-1. It doesn’t get easier. This week, Roma travels to Mission to play Sharyland High, which is 2-0 in district.
Still, coach Max Habecker Jr. is far from pessimistic, particularly with the last three losses coming by an average of 5 points.
“We have to just create more plays, in all facets of the game,” Habecker said. “Whether it’s on offense or getting a turnover or creating something on special teams. We’re literally one play away from winning those games.”
With Roma’s defensive-minded, ball-control style, there is little margin for error, especially against quality teams. Against Laredo Nixon, the Gladiators were buried in an early 21-0 hole in the second quarter before a late rally failed. Against Mission Veterans Memorial, a turnover in the red zone led to the go-ahead winning touchdown for the Patriots late in the second half.
Last week against Rio Grande City, a bad snap on a punt and a blocked punt in the fourth quarter led to the final 10 points for the Rattlers, who rallied from a 21-14 deficit to pull out the win.
“We just have to get over the hump,” Habecker said. “We just have to move on. We’re playing good football. We just have to play better in crucial moments.”
HURTING AND OUT
With just seven returning starters, including two on offense, Donna High coach Ramiro Leal knew this would be a rebuilding season for the defending District 32-5A champs.
But he didn’t imagine anything like this.
The Redskins are 1-3 and have lost three consecutive games, including last week’s district opener to Mercedes. They have not scored since a Sept. 1 loss to PSJA North.
The primary culprit for the rough times, however, is not inexperience or youth, as might have been expected.
Donna High has lost three tailbacks for the season — Jacob Mata (broken foot), Guillermo Garcia (broken leg) and Carlos Bowen (broken hand). The Redskins possibly lost another one during last Friday’s game against Mercedes, when Edson Alvarado suffered a knee injury. That’s brutal for an offense that works exclusively out of the I-formation.
Leal had a safety and a linebacker playing tailback last week against Mercedes. In all, there are 13 players out with injury.
“Not to make excuses, but it’s been tough,” Leal said. “We’re regressing instead of progressing, but it’s not because of effort. The kids still show up every day and want to get better. It’s just a lack of depth and a lack of physical ability.”
Leal has had trouble structuring practices since so many defensive players are now playing offense. Last season, Leal said the Redskins’ varsity team carried 60 players. It carried 39 coming into this season. Right now, it has 33 healthy players.
Leal said he is using the circumstance as a character-building lesson for his young team.
“There’s not going to be a quick fix, and hopefully the better games are still to come,” Leal said. “We just have to keep plugging away. It’s easy to just quit. As long as we’re competing as hard as we can, that’s all we can ask. This is like a lesson in life. We’re going to finish and whatever happens, happens.”
A BROTHERHOOD
Starting quarterback Zach Gomez is expected back on the field this week for Mercedes after missing the last 1 ½ games with a shoulder injury.
But in the meantime, junior backup quarterback Marc Ledesma has filled in admirably, leading the Tigers to their first win of the season last week against Donna High. And with him calling the shots, his brother and teammate Matt Ledesma, a junior receiver, has flourished.
Matt had his best game of the season last week against Donna, catching seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. The previous game against Weslaco High, when Marc relieved Zach in the second half, Matt caught two passes for 15 yards.
Prior to that Weslaco game, Matt had not caught a pass in two games.
“His brother playing quarterback, it adds even more drive to go out there and perform,” coach Roger Adame Jr. said of Matt. “They’ve just got that connection you can’t teach. They’ve played catch together since they were little, played together since the youth leagues. It was evident Friday night.”
Matt and Marc won district titles in seventh grade, eighth grade and on JV last season. Having Marc as quarterback allowed Matt a comfort zone as he found his rhythm on the perimeter.
Now when Gomez returns, he will have another weapon, booming with confidence, to use at his disposal.
“Matt is a tremendous athlete,” Adame said. “He goes up for every ball and competes for it. He challenges for it. He’s a fast kid, with great speed, and he loves the ball thrown his way. He’s a competitor.”