BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — PSJA Southwest junior Jalen Galvan has been playing football since he was in second grade, and over the years he has played several positions.
His mainstay was always wide receiver, but he also played running back, linebacker, safety and corner.
So when he was approached about playing quarterback, the answer was simple.
“I was happy to do it,” Galvan said. “I have moved around a lot, and I know what it takes to pick up a new position.”
Galvan is in competition for the starting quarterback job for the Javelinas this spring, battling with sophomore Rogelio Reyes.
“Rogelio Reyes finished last season as our quarterback,” Southwest coach Mike Evans said. “Rogelio has played QB a lot longer, so he definitely has an edge in the passing game. Jalen is a little bit quicker, and he is more fluid with the mechanics of option football. He’s a better runner and option runner.”
New co-offensive coordinator Johnny Galvan, Jalen’s father, brought in a new offense that is expected to feature a lot more spread sets and a quicker tempo than the Javelinas used last year.
“We hope to have an exciting offense this year that scores more points,” Evans said. “That was definitely our weakness last year, so we made some changes to our system, and I think it will be beneficial for our athletes.”
As a receiver last year, Galvan was a welcoming face for junior newcomer Nicolas Nicanor, who transferred from PSJA North last summer. When Nicanor arrived at Southwest, Galvan was one of the first people he met.
“We clicked right away,” Nicanor said. “I was helping him, and he was helping me. I helped him learn the playbook, and he showed me how to get faster and better at running routes.”
The two still push each other, and they have spent all offseason dreaming of what they can do together with a new offense in a new district against new opponents.
“We have a great relationship,” Galvan said. “I think with a good summer, we can both get to where we want to be and have some fun next year.”
The spread option that the Javelinas will be employing should also benefit junior running back Bryan Acosta.
“We are also really close,” Galvan said of he and Acosta. “Those exchanges are already really clean, and we work really well together in the backfield.”
Even the offensive linemen can’t wait to see the new system in action.
“I like the new offense,” junior lineman Diego Treviño said. “We get to hit head-up a lot more. We don’t have to worry about staying in our zone. … I think it is a lot easier for the O-line, because now we are sure of who our man is.”
Treviño said he is also really excited about who could be lining up behind him.
“(Galvan) has improved a lot,” Treviño said. “He is the captain of this team, for sure, and he motivates all of us. He is one of the shortest guys on the team, but he has the biggest heart.”
HARD HITS
The Southwest defense became a strength toward the end of last year, as the Javelinas held all but one of their final four opponents under 30 points. PSJA Memorial scored 31 in Southwest’s final game.
The defensive improvement came despite an offense that mustered just 24 points during the final four games.
“We grew up a lot,” Evans said. “We were competitive in a lot of games. The kids got a good feel for the defense. We played well on that side toward the end.”
Spring ball has been the time to add a few more wrinkles to Evans’ defense, and the group is looking stingier than ever.
“They are very tough,” Nicanor said. “It’s a battle every day.”
SISTERLY LOVE
With new districts going into effect next season, the Javelinas lose two sister schools as district opponents in PSJA North and PSJA High, but they maintain PSJA Memorial.
The change may just heat up an existing rivalry and add real stakes to the schools’ district matchup.
“We are excited,” sophomore safety Chris Sanchez said. “We can’t wait to play (Memorial) again after losing to them.”
“It should be a great game,” Nicanor said. “We are glad to have them still in our district, so we can go head-to-head.”
PSJA SOUTHWEST
Returning starters (O/D): 3/5
Returning lettermen: 17
Key Players: DL Victor Rodriguez, DL Tereso Barcenas, RB Bryan Acosta, QB Jalen Galvan
Coach: Mike Evans, second year
2017 Record: 0-10, 0-7