By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — Though PSJA Southwest returns five starters on each side of the ball, coach Jesus Reyes has maintained that all 22 slots remain open ahead of the upcoming season.
That message, he hopes, will help set the tone for a competitive two-a-day stretch for the Javelinas, who are coming off a 3-7 season.
“We tell the kids, ‘You don’t own a position,'” Reyes said. “‘You played there last year, but that position doesn’t belong to you. You have three weeks to earn it.'”
Ahead of its fifth varsity campaign, PSJA Southwest returns 25-27 players, its largest since the program started. Generally, in past years, it has had between 12-15.
Reyes is hoping that familiarity will aide the Javelinas, who embark on a new challenge this season. In moving up from Class 5A to 6A, Southwest finds itself last in enrollment among the eight teams in District 31-6A.
It will continue to employ a wing-T offense, and operate out of multiple formations on defense.
Last year, Southwest scored 18.2 points per game and allowed an average of 30.0 points — both statistical categories ranking fifth among the eight district teams. They generated the third-most offensive yards, with 80 percent coming on the ground.
Justin Corona, a speedy fullback, is among a stable of running threats competing for carries this year. Orlando Treviño, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior, should stabilize that offensive line.
After averaging 277.7 yards on the ground last year, Reyes has little concern about what the Javelinas could generate with their run game. What he’s hoping to establish, however, is their aerial attack after averaging just 65.6 yards last season.
“We told the kids, we need to get to at least 1,000 yards,” Reyes said. “We’re going to rush; that’s our bread and butter. We’re going to get our 3,000 (after finishing with 2,777 last year). We just need to improve our passing.”
As district champions at the freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels in track and field, Reyes is hoping to utilize some of that speed at wide receiver and defensive back. Juan Espinoza, Ricky Cantu and Oscar Garay return after competing in the 4×1 and 4×2 last season.
“With all of us returning, the secondary is looking pretty stable,” said Espinoza, a three-year letterman. “We look pretty fast down the line. It’s just hard, relentless effort.”
Espinoza will see time at cornerback after playing strong safety last year. Garay, who will likely divide his team at defensive back and receiver, believes the upperclassmen have taken on more of a leadership role this year, looking to snap a five-year playoff drought.
“We’re just gotten stronger, faster and we’re more united as a team,” he said. “Whatever comes, comes.”
QUARTERBACK BATTLE
The starting role under center will likely come to one of three players: Michael Maravilla, Joe Salinas or Jose Zamora.
The three are returning letterman, and are vying to become the program’s third quarterback in five years.
Salinas, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior, has impressed the staff with his size and speed during two-a-days. Maravilla and Zamora have made their mark with their strong arms.
“We just have to find the one man who’s going to make the difference,” Reyes said.
Maravailla, a senior, also played at receiver last year.
STAYING HEALTHY
Amid injuries, the Javalinas struggled to stay in the playoff race, posting a 2-5 district record and finishing in sixth place.
They lost three starters due to varying ailments, including a starting center who was hurt running drills during practice.
“There’s freak accidents,” Reyes said. “Like everyone else, we just have to stay healthy. That doesn’t mean we’re going to tone it down, but we just have to be smarter as a staff, especially with this heat.”
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PSJA SOUTHWEST’S PROGNOSIS
As the smallest school in their district, depth and health will be of utmost concern for the Javelinas, who sustained key injuries last year.
Projected 2016 record: 4-6
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Jesus Reyes
Year at school: Fifth
Record at Southwest: 12-28