DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
DONNA — Having lost 37 lettermen and returning seven starters, Donna High coach Ramiro Leal has not experienced a drastic rebuild like he is facing now.
The Redskins are defending District 32-5A champs following a stellar 2015 campaign that saw them go 8-3 and lead the district in offense. Four players signed to play college football.
But those days seem so distant.
“We’ve lost big numbers before, but nothing like this,” said Leal, who has reverted back to basics schematically, particularly with the blocking schemes on the offensive line. “There’s a lot more teaching. Last year, it was just re-emphasizing things they already knew. Now we’ve got to slow it down. The progression of plays is a lot slower. You have to have patience. The big thing is making sure these kids understand the ‘why’ about what we do.”
Of the Redskins’ seven returning starters, five are on defense. The two on offense are on the line. That means a new quarterback, new running back, new fullback, new tight end and new receivers.
“It’s exciting,” said senior lineman Matt Molina, one of the two returners along with J.J. Vallejo. “We have new roles, bigger shoes to fill. All these young players are out here trying to fight for a spot on Friday nights.”
There are position battles all over the place, and it doesn’t help that numbers are dwindling at Donna High. Leal said there are about 45 kids on varsity this year.
“The numbers aren’t what they have been, but we tell the kids it’s not about the quantity of kids, it’s about the quality,” Leal said. “We’re trying to preach there’s certain things we can control and certain things we can’t control. What they can control is their attitude and effort. If you give us all you’ve got, good things will happen.”
So far, Leal said that’s happening. The attitude of camp practices has been encouraging.
So while the Redskins will have hurdles this season, it doesn’t mean expectations are down.
“Just because we lost some key players doesn’t mean we’re not going to be good,” three-year starting defensive back Noel Perez said. “I’m pretty sure we can take on whoever comes at us, and we’ll probably beat them, too.”
COMPETING ON ‘O’
Senior Josh Mata and junior Hector Guerrero are competing for the quarterback spot.
Mata was the third-team quarterback last season and played receiver. Guerrero played JV quarterback last season, but missed seven games because of a knee injury.
“It’s a lot of hard work,” Mata said. “Last year, I was a receiver and not really getting reps at quarterback. This is a whole new thing for me right now and I’m just trying to get used to it. I’m going to bring it.”
At running back and fullback, Edson Alvarado, Jacob Mata and Guillermo Garcia are competing for the roles. Right now, Leal said Mata and Garcia are in line to assume the running back sports while fullback is still open.
DEFENSIVE STALWARTS
A strength for the Redskins is the defense, thanks to Perez, returning middle linebackers JP Sandoval and EJ Alvarado, and three-year starting defensive end Homer Webber.
“We have a lot more leadership right now, so we’re a bit ahead,” Webber said. “Our pursuit is strong. Our conditioning is strong. We have all guys flying to the ball. There are no big breaks for our offense.”
The uncertainty on defense, however, is the defensive line, where Webber is the lone proven commodity. Then again, there are few proven commodities for the Redskins.
“It’s tough because some guys right now aren’t mentally strong,” Perez said. “They’re still getting used to how it is on the varsity level. It’s our job as seniors to keep motivating them and keep them at it.”
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DONNA HIGH’S PROGNOSIS
The Redskins return just five starters from last year, but are eyeing a playoff spot in top-heavy District 32-5A. To do that, defense will have to lead the way, and Donna High has the capable pieces.
Projected 2016 Record: 5-5
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Ramiro Leal
Year at school: Fourth
Record at Donna: 21-11