By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — In reviewing film of Edinburg High’s 1-9 campaign in 2015, first-year coach J.J. Leija noticed a variety of shortcomings when he took over the program in December. A missed block here, a wrong assignment there — all of it proved too much to overcome as the Bobcats stumbled through another disappointing season.
So as Leija entered spring ball and fall camp, he took a back-to-basics approach with his players. Part of that, he said, was refining “the little things that lead to big things,” like proper tackling methods and footwork.
The other component was speed and strength. With those enhancements, Leija said, his players have shown “a little bit of swagger to them and a belief that they could take on the big dogs.”
Any type of psychological edge at this point would be welcomed, considering Edinburg has struggle with its turnout, and in turn its competitiveness, since sister school Edinburg Vela opened in 2012.
“We’re just trying to change the culture here,” said Leija, who was previously the defensive coordinator at La Joya Palmview. “We’re working a lot on character and getting these kids together. There was a lot of individualism before.”
The coaching staff is encouraged by a larger showing during two-a-days, with roughly 115 kids on the varsity and JV teams. They return 23 lettermen, and have four starters back on each side of the ball.
Under the previous regime, Nathan Marez was primarily utilized as a running back. Now under center, Marez will oversee an offense that generated a meager 96 points through 10 games and averaged a district-low 182.5 yards. Leija is hoping his dual-threat abilities help keep defenses honest, after the Bobcats ran 66.3 percent of the time on offense in 2015.
In a two-back shotgun offense, the Bobcats are looking to operate at a quicker pace. A quarterback for the final two games of last season, Marez will play behind a familiar offensive line with seniors Christian Hernandez and Marcelino Robledo, both returning starters.
“They have pretty good size,” Leija said of the line. “We’re a little young (other than those two players), but we’re hoping we could get to them to where they could block for us, and we could run the ball a bit.”
During 7-on-7, Marez proved himself an accurate passer, and a relentless, dedicated worker, Leija said.
“I couldn’t ask for a better person,” Leija added.
The Bobcats, who have not made the playoffs since 2011, are hoping the slew of changes lead to more positive results soon rather than later.
“We want to make the playoffs,” Leija said. “That’s what we’re inputting in these kids. Some people say two years or three. No. We want to make it now.”
MIXING IT UP
The Bobcats will have multiple formations (4-2 or 3-4) on defense this year, much of it hinging on their opponent for that particular matchup.
With the way their players move on the field, Leija said it gives him the flexibility to alternate formations and “have teams guessing where we’re going.”
Cornerback Danthony Alvarez, defensive ends Edgar Arevalo and Adalberto Segura return as starters on defense. Oscar Valdez, who previously in charge on the secondary, will split co-defensive coordinator duties with MJ Garza, formerly of PSJA Memorial.
“It’s a learning process,” said Arevalo, who led the team in tackles (57) and sacks (5) last year. “There’s new schemes, so it takes a while to learn these things. But that’s what two-a-days are for.
“We’re just trying to clean up the communication, expecting passes, calling ‘bingo’ when there’s interceptions. It’s going to take every single one of us (to turn things around).”
MAKING A MARK
With plenty of vacancies on defense, sophomore linebacker James Champion could vie for significant playing time after his showing during two-a-days.
Champion, who enters his first varsity year at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, has been lauded for his knowledge of the position, his “nose for the football” and his ability to make plays.
“He studies film, asks questions,” Leija said. “He’s aggressive and flies to the ball. He’s just a great asset that we have defensively.”
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EDINBURG HIGH’S PROGNOSIS
Though the program has a new coach and improving numbers, the Bobcats face an uphill battle in trying to secure their first playoff berth since 2011, especially given they return few starters.
Projected 2016 record: 3-7
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: J.J. Leija
Year at school: First
Career record: 0-0