DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
ROMA — With star running back Ramon Espinoza out indefinitely, Roma has never been so committed to its culture.
Its process of progress, from Valley doormat to playoff participant the last two years, built upon family and work ethic, has never been stronger. So though the Gladiators, thought by many to be the top threat out of District 31-5A this season, are without a central piece to their puzzle, their faith in the “next man up” is unwavering.
“Ramon’s a good kid, and it’s hard on us,” Roma coach Max Habecker Jr. said. “Of course there’s concern. I care about the kid. We care about the kid. Ramon is legit. But we have kids who have been working hard and now they have to step up.”
Espinoza, the top returning rusher in the Rio Grande Valley after running for 1,743 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, is sidelined because he hasn’t been cleared from April surgery to fix a fracture in his arm. A projected six-week recovery has turned into four months because the arm has not healed correctly. There is no timetable on Espinoza’s return.
But the Gladiators aren’t lost without the 5-foot-6, 160-pound power. Athletic senior Damian Villarreal has been moved from receiver to tailback. Junior Bryan Garcia played against Rio Grande City last season and rushed for 120 yards on 19 carries. Sophomore Felix Gomez had two touchdowns during last week’s scrimmage against Grulla.
Against the Gators, nine Gladiators rushed for 260 total yards. Quarterbacks and slot receivers had carries as well. The offensive line also returns all five starters, a necessary boon to keep the running game thriving.
“It’s a sad situation and we want Ramon back as soon as possible, but we know it comes down to the offensive line,” senior tackle Juan Ramirez said. “It doesn’t matter who’s back there running the ball, we’re going to do our job. We’re going to come together and keep this offense going.”
Otherwise, Roma is in strong shape. Sixteen starters return from last year’s 8-3 team. District 31-5A coaches rave about the Gladiators’ potential, many ranking them as the district favorite.
Roma is a sexy pick to make a lot of noise in Valley football this year, but Habecker doesn’t want his players to hear any of it. He’s aware how quickly the favored can become the unfavored.
“We’re not thinking about that stuff,” Habecker said of the preseason hype. “Right now we’re taking it one game at a time. We are going to be realists to the fact that we know what got us here. It wasn’t us getting too big for our britches. It was a process and taking things one game at a time. As far as that takes us is as far as we’re going to go.
“A lot of these kids have been through two playoff runs already. They understand what it is to work. It’s my job to keep them focused and hungry, and that’s my challenge.”
Players have bought in.
“The past is the past,” senior safety David Lozano said. “We have to keep moving forward and set a new bar. We have a strong team, a strong family, but this is a new team.”
A WINNER AT QB
Senior Andy Marroquin returns to call the signals for the Gladiators.
“Andy is a winner, and that’s the bottom line,” Habecker said. “He’s not flashy and he just gets the job done. When he runs, he runs efficiently. When he throws, he throws efficiently. He’s what we need.”
Marroquin was a capable ballcarrier last season, but with Espinoza out he may have opportunities to do more of that.
STRONG ON DEFENSE
Seven starters return for Roma’s 3-4 defense that was far and away the top unit in 31-5A last season, holding teams to 14.3 points on 222.4 yards per game.
“I have to continue to keep them in shape and making sure we work on our fundamentals,” Habecker said. “We want to be a defense that can always revert back to our fundamentals to make plays.”
Senior linebacker Gerardo Gonzalez (89 tackles, eight sacks, three interceptions), linebacker Eddie Alaniz (44 tackles, seven sacks) and defensive back J.J. Pena (three interceptions) are the leaders of the pack.
“We have to hustle, hustle, hustle,” Gonzalez said. “Run to the ball and gang-tackle. That’s all we want.”
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ROMA’S PROGNOSIS
RB Ramon Espinoza’s indefinite absence because of injury is concerning, but the Gladiators have plenty of quality running backs to fill in to go with all five returning offensive linemen. Plus, the defense will be dominant as always with seven returning starters. Expect a big year for Roma.
Projected 2016 Record: 10-2
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Max Habecker Jr.
Year at school: Tenth
Career record: 40-52-1