NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — The campus of Mission High School is done with its makeover. The main entrance to the campus on Cleo Dawson has received a face-lift, a new academic wing has been added, and an aquatic center is ready for competition. Oh, and Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium is completed, shiny and ready for the community outing that is the Battle of Conway on Aug. 31.
Sebastian Gonzalez, a senior wide receiver, played through the hassle of spending his entire junior season on the road.
“It’s awesome now that we don’t have to travel that far anymore,” Gonzalez said. “We can just walk out our classroom, and we’re right here. It’s going to be really exciting, because it’s new, but a lot of people love this stadium. It’s a great place to play.”
The renovations to the stadium entrance, seating and press box began in February 2017, with hopes the stadium would be ready for last year’s fall season. Unfortunately for the school district, the Battle of Conway was moved east to Donna.
“We’re excited about the new stadium. They’ve done a fantastic job,” Mission coach and alum Koy Detmer said. “We’ve had new addition to the school and all that. It is an exciting time for Mission High.”
The uncertainty around the completion of construction at the stadium lingered all year. Complications surrounding elevator inspection pushed the due date. When the dust was cleared, the only football game played in the stadium was Mission Veterans’ first-round playoff matchup.
This year’s season opener between the rival schools will include a ribbon cutting to celebrate the stadium.
“That first game on Aug. 31 between the two high schools is always the biggest in terms of a turnout, so it’ll be fun to be able to do that,” Mission CISD spokesperson Craig Verley said. “Just the whole tie to Tom Landry and what he stood for and his legacy is really what makes the stadium special.”
Mission High improved by a game during Detmer’s second season but still ended 2017 on the outside looking into the playoffs. The Eagles suffered a devastating last-play loss against McAllen High in their District 30-6A finale.
“We have a lot of skill guys coming back, especially in the receiving core,” Detmer said. “We definitely want to utilize those guys and find ways to get them the ball within the system. Want to get them the ball in space and let them do their thing.”
Running the ball will be a collaborative effort between returning running backs Andrew Maldonado and Horacio Moronta. Both rushed for less than 200 yards last season. Maldonado had 195 yards on 41 carries, while Moronta had 152 yards on 27 attempts.
CLOSE CALLS
The Eagles of 2017 were plagued by one-score defeats. Half of their six losses came by one score, including two in district — against McAllen Rowe in overtime, and against McAllen High in their last game of the year as part of a win-and-get-in scenario. Their third came in the crosstown rivalry against Mission Veterans, a game they lost by four points after opening up a first-half lead.
Detmer acknowledged how close the team was to a better fate last year. He said he thinks the key to flipping the script to hold on or even come from behind in tight contests is defense, which he thinks will be a quicker, improved group.
“We’re excited about what our defensive possibilities are,” Detmer said. “We will be much faster defensively than what we were last year. We have a good group of those skills guys with linebacker, corner and DB play.”
Gonzalez could play on both sides of the ball, something he prepared for while working out and said he looks forward to.
“I might be able to go both ways this year so I can help out the defense, as well,” Gonzalez said. “It’s good to know both, because you know how both positions play.”
With former all-state linebacker Steven De Leon graduated, junior Aleksander Gomez will be called on to guide the defense as the top returning tackler.
QUARTERBACK BATTLE
Mission has a quarterback battle brewing. Detmer, who played quarterback for Mission all the way up to the NFL level, is licking his chops. Last year’s quarterback, Damian Gomez, returns for his junior season, but the position now comes with competition.
McHi transfer J.R. Cortez enters the fray hoping to provide options on offense after playing the 2017 non-district season with the Bulldogs.
Incoming freshman Jeremy Duran might have the highest ceiling of the Eagles quarterbacks. He had an exciting youth football career that has put him on television on “Friday Night Tykes.” He has also played for the USA national team on the turf in Arlington at AT&T Stadium.
“In the past, we’ve had only a limited number of guys at the position, so for us we’re excited we have a lot depth at the position now,” Detmer said. “We’ll get into two-a-days and scrimmage play. Everything will work itself out. We have Damian coming back with experience. J.R. comes from McHi with varsity experience. And Jeremy is coming up — a good, young talent. We’re excited. We can play the same kind of football, even with injuries and things like that. That’s something that’s challenged us for a couple of years now.”
KEYS TO THE SEASON
Mission High will need more output on offense and a stronger defense to return to the postseason. The bad news is the Eagles lose an all-star type talent in Steven De Leon. The good news is they are deeper than previous in years on offense, and the defense is quicker and up for the challenge of a new-look District 30-6A.
2017 record: 4-6, 2-4
Returning starters O/D: 5-5
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Koy Detmer
Year at school: Third
Record at school: 9-12