BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
SAN JUAN — The turnaround that coach Lupe Rodriguez has led at PSJA High has been sharper than the cuts that sophomore wide receiver Marco Guajardo makes in the open field.
Two years ago, the Bears went 3-7 overall and 1-6 in district.
Last year, they went 8-3 overall and 5-2 in District 31-6A.
The team reached heights it hadn’t been to in years, playing in an all-or-nothing game against Edinburg Vela for the district title before qualifying for the playoffs and facing one of the Valley’s best in Weslaco East.
“We emphasize a lot, that we were never going to make excuses for being a first time staff here,” Rodriguez said. “We set a lot of goals, and we set them high. Not having been in that magnitude of a game, playing against Vela, playing for the district championship and the big crowd like that, hopefully we learn from that. That is why I scheduled tough teams in the preseason. So whenever we get to that point again, which I know we will, I’m hoping we will be ready.”
The Bears will scrimmage Vela before facing Flour Bluff, Harlingen South and San Benito in the non-district season next year.
One of the biggest determining factors for the Bears will be how they fill the shoes left behind at receiver. Seniors Nathan Sanchez, Nathaniel Miranda and Joachim Almaguer are all set to graduate this spring, and they were the team’s top three receivers.
The Bears’ next leading receiver will get the first crack at replacing that production.
“Marco (Guajardo) is definitely going to be one of the go-to guys,” Rodriguez said. “He will have to take the place of one of our leaders, Nate Sanchez, who graduated. He was our leading receiver this past year. He will be missed. But, I am looking forward to him, along with Miguel Flores, who is also a deep threat. Those two guys were part of the district champion, area champion relay team in the 200-meter relay. We definitely have a lot of speed out there that we want to utilize.”
Marco Guajardo hauled in 27 passes last year for 421 yards. Much of last year’s work was on deep balls, as he averaged 15.6 yards per reception.
“I think this will be the year I become the go-to receiver,” Marco Guajardo said. “That is what I want to happen. If we can get it right, we can be in sync and (junior quarterback Trey Guajardo) can have confidence in me every time he throws it. That is what I am trying to get to.”
The chemistry between Marco Guajardo and Trey Guajardo already exists. The cousins first played football together in fifth grade on Team Clutch in a city league. During their first year together, they won the league‘s Super Bowl.
They grew up together, and Marco’s father is the coach of the Bears’ baseball team, which Trey also plays for.
Marco Guajardo won’t be alone out there. Flores and Ethan Castillo are both coming back and should be key pieces to the offense. JR Vasquez will also be returning in the backfield, where he is just as much a threat to catch the ball as he is to run it through the defense.
“Marco is doing a good job of taking leadership of the receivers,” Trey Guajardo said. “I am there to back him up.”
Trey Guajardo wants to focus on taking charge for next year.
“I am looking to be more of a leader,” Trey Guajardo said. “Last year, I tried doing that, but I think this year if I can step it up, it will really help the team.”
The Bears continued climb toward the top of the Valley under Rodriguez will likely continue if Trey and Marco can connect when the team needs a reception.
“We just need to work on knowing our roles and trusting each other,” Marco Guajardo said. “We need to get to the point where he can throw the ball to me even if there are defenders around, because he knows he can make the throw where only I can catch it, and because we both know I will catch it. It is all about having that trust when it matters most.”
BEARLY BOTHERED
The loss of senior Orlando Huerta will certainly sting. He ranked second on the team in tackles, was a catalyst for turnovers and was the heart and soul of the defense. But the Bears can take solace in returning elite production on the defensive side.
Sophomore Jacob Sanchez highlights the group of returning defenders. Sanchez has grown up in the middle of the Bears defense as the middle linebacker and play-caller.
“The leadership that he brings is crucial,” Rodriguez said. “He was our leading tackler last year. He has come a long way. His work habits — that is another baseball player who is definitely looking to go to the next level, whether it is baseball or football. He has the team on defense jelling together.”
Junior linebacker Marcos Pedraza is also a key returner on the Bears defense.
“Marcos is always working hard,” Sanchez said. “He doesn’t miss a rep. He is always on us. He won’t let anything happen to his senior season.”
With juniors Andrew Liszt in the secondary and JJ Barrientes on the line ready to lead their respective groups, the tools are in place to keep the Bears’ opponents in bad field position all game.
GRIN AND BEAR IT
The Bears didn’t come away from spring ball completely unscathed, and the lone injury could be a big one.
PSJA’s third-leading rusher from last year, sophomore JR Vasquez, suffered a broken collarbone during the spring.
“He was one of our rotating backs last year, along with Christian (Rivera),” Rodriguez said. “He was doing well. He has come a long way, so unfortunately, he ended up getting injured, but hopefully we can get him back in time for the season.”
Vasquez will be pivotal to what the Bears want to do in Year Two under Rodriguez.
“We are hoping to add some new wrinkles, now that the kids have a year under their belt with our system,” Rodriguez said. “Being able to throw in some more things, and work a little bit more on our run plays. That is one of the things that we didn’t do well enough last year, and that we want to be able to do more: run plays with JR Vasquez. And just throw in some new surprises for next year.”
The initial prognosis is four to six weeks for Vasquez, which will likely keep him out of the 7-on-7 season but should have him ready for Game 1.
PSJA HIGH
Returning starters (O/D): 5/6
Returning lettermen: 14
Key Players: QB Trey Guajardo, WR Marco Guajardo, MLB Jacob Sanchez, LB Marcos Pedraza, DB Andrew Liszt, RB JR Vasquez.
Coach: Lupe Rodriguez, second year
2017 Record: 8-3, 5-2