BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — For the last three years, Edinburg North fans knew who to expect under center: Cristian Espinoza.
But after Espinoza’s graduation in May, a new name will emerge this year — Francisco Zuniga.
Zuniga can’t contain his excitement at the chance to make his own mark on the program.
“I have been waiting for this moment since the first day of summer,” Zuniga said. “I have just been waiting to come out here with these boys, grind hard and win a district title.”
At 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds, Zuniga is not an overwhelming physical presence, but coach Rene Saenz thinks that’s what gives him the confidence he needs to succeed.
“He’s a competitor,” Saenz said. “He’s not a big kid, but he’s a competitor. I guess because of his size, he has always had to prove himself. He doesn’t shy away from that. He’s got a good arm, and he’s mobile.”
Last year, Espinoza missed two games, which allowed Zuniga some time in the backfield. Zuniga made an appearance in six games overall, completing 12 of 17 attempts for 184 yards and one touchdown. To Saenz’s point, he also scampered for 103 yards on 19 carries. His quickness is a skill that excites his teammates.
“He has some good accuracy,” sophomore wideout Izaiah Rangel said. “He can really run, too.”
Zuniga’s experience last year didn’t stop with those six games played. He said he learned a lot from Espinoza, either from watching him perform or from direct work in practice.
“He taught me well,” Zuniga said. “He taught me a lot of footwork, a lot of plays and a lot of routes. He had a big impact on this football team.”
Zuniga’s experience is a reason for optimism with the program. Another reason for optimism in the locker room revolves around the skill position players Zuniga will be working with.
The offense does not have a lot of seniors, so the ones who are there will be asked to play a big role in the team’s leadership. That starts with running back Ethan Vela.
North’s leading rusher last year, Vela missed only one game and posted 805 yards on 142 carries.
“(Vela) is a good leader,” Zuniga said. “He pumps us up in the huddle. He tells us what to do. If we are messing around, he tells us to stop.”
Saenz said Vela may be used some at slot receiver this year. That is due, in part, to a new addition in the backfield.
Junior running back Cristian Flores won the Offensive Newcomer of the Year award in District 31-6A last season, but he played for Edinburg Vela then. After the season, he transferred to North.
“I’ve known him since we were in sixth grade,” Zuniga said. “So, we already have good chemistry together.”
Zuniga said Flores is fitting into the offense well, and he is already turning heads in practice. Last year, Flores ran for 984 yards on 129 attempts in nine games. That total is even more impressive considering he shared a backfield with senior Robert Guerra, who ran for 1,179 yards in five games.
“We are excited about his potential,” Saenz said. “He will be a guy to look out for.”
Another guy to look out for is sophomore wide receiver Rangel.
Last season, as a freshman, Rangel put up 103 receiving yards and one touchdown in three games.
“He’s probably our best athlete on the team as far as size, speed and strength,” Saenz said of Rangel.
Rangel has so much potential that Saenz already has him taking reps at quarterback, calling him “the future” at the position.
With those players around him, Zuniga is confident about his first season at starting quarterback.
“Our goal is to win district this year and go at least three rounds deep,” Zuniga said. “I know we are capable of meeting those goals.”
NEW COACH
Over the summer, North hired former Roma head coach Max Habecker as the linebacker coach. Habecker brought in his 3-4 defense, and it is helping the Cougars already.
“He’s made a real big impact,” senior safety Joseph Muñoz said. “We are a lot faster, we are moving smoother and we are going full speed on the defensive side right now.”
Muñoz happens to be the only returning starter on the defense. North was expecting to have two.
“We would have had two starters coming back, but (Julius Jimenez) moved out,” Saenz said. “He was the newcomer (of the year) for the district, and we lost him. That was a big blow to us on the line, but all we can do is next guy up.”
That hasn’t stifled the positives surrounding the new-look defense, though.
“They are fast,” Rangel said. “Their pressing is crazy. Sometimes I get annoyed at how they get me.”
“They have good zone coverage. They have good man,” Zuniga added. “They have a lot of speed. They have a lot of strength. … The defense can do a lot of work for us this year.”
The linebackers are standing out to Saenz already.
“Our linebackers are young, but I like their aggressiveness,” Saenz said. “Habecker has taken a hold of that group, and he’s doing a tremendous job with them. I look for the linebackers to do some good work.”
BIT OF FOOTY
The Monitor’s All-Area boys soccer Defensive Player of the Year Azael De Leon was also a strong force on the football team last year. He converted all 16 of his extra-point attempts. He also made the lone field goal he was asked to take.
Kickers aren’t often thought about at the varsity level, but as Saenz said of getting a kicker with that much consistency: “We don’t that get very often. We were just lucky to have him.”
With De Leon graduating, his teammate, Frank Cantu, will fill that role. Cantu also played soccer last season.
“(Cantu) was a starter with that team that went up to the regional finals,” Saenz said. “I like him being tested in the fire of competition.”
That trip to the playoffs captivated the whole school. Several players on the football team watched intently as their classmates represented North at that level of competition.
“I wasn’t a true soccer fan before that,” Saenz said. “Now, I find myself watching soccer sometimes on the weekends. It’s crazy, because I developed a newfound respect, and I learned the game a little bit.”
EDINBURG NORTH’S PROGNOSIS
New linebackers coach Max Habecker will have his hands full with a young defense. If he can get that group to help a potent offense, the Cougars could get coach Rene Saenz his first playoff win.
2016 record: 4-7
Returning starters O/D: 6/1
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Rene Saenz
Year at school: Fourth
Record at school: 12-20