By ANDREW CRUM
Staff Writer
Sometimes the blueprint to success is ever changing, it evolves as necessary.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial reached the playoffs last year, but that doesn’t mean it’s satisfied as practices have begun this week.
The Chargers lost several starters on both sides of the ball to graduation, but the goal remains the same.
“This team has high expectations,” Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said. “We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, we have a lot of learning to do. We’re trying to get more efficient, get better. The focus is sharp with the understanding that there’s a lot of room to improve, and we’re trying to jell together.”
With a lot of new faces expected to take over those spots, Cantu is happy to find out what they can do.
“They’re going to have to prove themselves, but I’m confident they’ll step up,” he said. “I like we have a lot of seniors out there. I’ve been told you’re only as good as your seniors, and I believe that.”
Offensively, Isaiah Solis is expected to take over for graduated and three-year starting quarterback Marcus Castillo.
“It’s a lot of new stuff for us to handle. Some of these guys are filling some big shoes,” Solis said. “We’ve been embracing the pressure that’s put on us. We feel we have to carry on the tradition that’s been passed on. We need to meet and exceed it.”
Cantu said the senior is very intelligent and hopes he provides a better balance to the offense.
“I’m excited what he gives us,” Cantu said. “He can throw it with the best of them. Isaiah knows the offense better than probably I do.”
On the defensive side, Mike Evans is now the coordinator, taking over for Larry Vincent, who left to lead Falfurrias. Evans, the former defensive coordinator at Los Fresnos, had the top defense in District 32-6A last season.
The Chargers’ coach has been pleased with what Evans has accomplished thus far.
“I can see us already grasping his concepts,” Cantu said. “We’re in good hands with coach Mike Evans.”
Senior Brandon Martinez is moving from defensive end to middle linebacker, and Gustavo Vasquez returns to Brownsville Veterans and is slated to play one of the safety or cornerback positions.
But Vasquez could be lined up on offense at quarterback, slot receiver or running back as well.
“Gustavo can play anywhere you put him,” Cantu said. “He’s probably our most explosive player.”
Vasquez was happy to return to the Chargers after moving with his family out of state.
“Honestly it feels great being back with the guys, there’s some great energy around them,” he said. “(I’ll play) anywhere they need me on offense. I just want to help the team.”
Overall, Cantu is excited about the team. The bar was set high last season, but he feels his group wants to take it even further.
“We’re not afraid to say we want to compete for a district title,” Cantu said. “We feel with good health we can do that. I feel we have the kids and a tremendous staff, but we have to execute.”
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.