BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks are a program in transition.
After four seasons, two playoff appearances and a district championship, coach Jason Wheeler was replaced on Jan. 22 by the Sharyland ISD school board in favor of Tommy Lee.
Lee, who served as Sharyland Pioneer’s athletic coordinator since the school opened in 2014, will continue in that role. The 2018 season will be his first as a head football coach since leading the Mission High Eagles to a playoff appearance 10 years ago.
Sharyland Pioneer will have another addition to the coaching staff. Former Sharyland High football assistant and track coach Marcelino de la Fuente Jr. is the team’s new defensive coordinator. The departures of All-Area second-team safety Tyler Bulthuis, District 31-5A Defensive MVP Angel Chapa and first team all-district lineman Johnny Howell mean a new crop of Diamondbacks must spearhead the defense.
“We’re running a new type of defense this year,” defensive end Alonso Ibarra said. “It’s not like it was last year, because we’re not as experienced. Our defense is a lot more fast-paced. We used to sit there and watch, and now we’re more aggressive with blitzes. It threw me off a bit at first, but we’re getting used to it and getting better at it.”
Ibarra, who will be a senior, finished with 44 total tackles last year, including a team-high five tackles for a loss. With future seniors Obed Hernandez (67 tackles in 2017) and Darek Lopez (46 tackles) also returning, the Diamondbacks’ front is expected to be the most stable segment of their defense.
“When we get out here, we’re trying to do our best at everything,” Lopez said. “I hope the freshmen see how dedicated we are, and that they would want to match our intensity. Obed’s very dominant, a hell of a powerlifter, and he holds down our nose position very well. He’s pretty much our brick wall. He frees the linebackers to go make plays.”
Pioneer had other individual standouts on defense last season, but the team still allowed the second-most points (355) in the nine-team District 31-5A. The year ended with the Diamondbacks giving up 68 points against Mercedes in the bi-district round of the playoffs, marking the third game of 2017 in which the defense was on the hook for at least 55 points.
“Last year was a bad year, don’t get me wrong, but anybody can have a bad year, right?” Ibarra said. “I believe we’re going to fix that, learn from our mistakes and be a better team by the time next year comes around.”
STAYING THE COURSE
While the defense is undergoing a makeover, the Diamondbacks offense will not change, according to Lee. Quarterback Jacob Rosales returns for his final campaign after throwing for 2,100 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions as a junior. Rosales will once again have an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver, led by Roel Cajero (730 receiving yards, 10 touchdown receptions last year).
“Our offense looks great,” Cajero said. “We’re trying to perfect some things in the spring before the summer starts. And we’re going to have other playmakers out there with me, too.”
“Roel Cajero is a special football player,” Lee said. “This is someone who didn’t really play as a freshman and sophomore because of injuries and wasn’t sure if he was going to play his junior year. He made such a huge commitment to the weight room during the summer, and he came out like gangbusters. He’s tough to cover, he’s elusive, and he runs precise routes. That’s really all you need.”
Two of the weapons Cajero alluded to are sophomores Lavar Lindo and Luke Padilla. Lindo and Padilla (6-foot-2) played varsity basketball together and will bring added size to the receiving core.
“I bring height and speed to the field,” the 6-foot-4 Lindo said. “I still need to learn different routes and different moves I can make to get defenders off of me. They might be strong, but I can use those things to get by anyone.”
“Lavar’s a mismatch problem for anybody, and he’s only going to be a junior,” Lee said. “We’ll get him some looks at different spots on offense and maybe even some defensive line, since he played both ways as a freshman. Then there’s Luke, who is 6-foot-2 and runs great routes. Our quarterback will be happy with the kinds of kids he’ll have to throw to.”
DISTANCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER
Running back Joe Garcia was excited to get into football. Three years ago, he was a tailback on the Diamondbacks freshman team. During their first district game, against Valley View, Garcia carried the ball and was chop-blocked on a running play. He injured his left knee, which kept him off the field for the foreseeable future.
Garcia had a decision to make: continue with football, or jeopardize a golden opportunity to play varsity soccer as a freshman.
“The question that came to mind was, ‘What if I get hurt again?’” Garcia said. “Not only did I make varsity soccer, but I was going to be starting. That made me decide to step away for a couple years.”
His interest in football didn’t waver after he left the team. As he heads into his senior season, Garcia will attempt to balance soccer, track and football.
“I thought maybe that I could help the (football) team,” Garcia said. “I’m glad to be back. Everybody gets along. It’s like a family.”
Lee said he is happy to welcome Garcia back into the fold as he searches for a replacement for Logan Harris, the Diamondbacks’ leading rusher in 2017.
“He’s been a big surprise for us,” Lee said. “We’ve had a good relationship over the years with him on my track teams. He’s been a blessing so far.”
SHARYLAND PIONEER DIAMONDBACKS
Returning starters (O/D): 4/4
Returning lettermen: 18
Key players: QB Jacob Rosales, WR Roel Cajero, OL Juan Lizcano, DE Darek Lopez, DE Alonso Ibarra, WR Diego Perez, WR Diego Benavides
Coach: Tommy Lee, 1st year at school
2017 record: 6-5