NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
SAN JUAN — During coach Lupe Rodriguez’s first season at PSJA High last year, the Bears took District 31-6A and much of the Valley by storm. Gunslinging quarterback Trey Guajardo threw for 2,919 yards and 29 touchdown passes as a junior en route to a second-place finish in district and a return to the postseason after a two-year absence.
Six different receivers caught a Guajardo pass for a score, and two of those players return, led by Trey’s younger cousin Marco, who had 27 receptions. The receiving core that Trey will throw to this year has varsity experience and is now part of the main attraction.
“Offensively, all the starting receivers this year got playing time last year, but they’re all juniors, so I’m the older man out there,” Trey Guajardo said. “Just giving them that confidence and being the leader out there that they need. I feel like if I can do that and do my job, we’re going to have a great season.”
The quarterback saw his team go from 3-7 to 8-3 in just one year. He knows that giving opponents a rare pass-first look goes a long way, and he said he hopes that strength can carry the Bears deep into the postseason during his senior year.
“Being able to have that difference, where we’re one of the teams that’s able to throw the ball a lot, I think it only helps us. Not only down here, but when we get to those farther levels. That’s what we’re aiming for,” Trey Guajardo said. “Not only to get district champs, of course, but to go far in the playoffs and keep going.”
Rodriguez said he took a look at the PSJA roster after coming from his offensive coordinator position at Mission Veterans and didn’t think it would take long to steer the ship in the right direction.
“When I came in, I saw a lot of talent, and I even told our coaching staff, ‘There’s no reason why we should not be successful,’” Rodriguez said. “I told them, ‘I’m not going to make an excuse that a lot of first-time coaches say, that it’s going to take two or three years to build a program.’ We’re going to let them know right from the start that we’re going to set our goals and standards high.”
That attitude turned into 42 touchdowns and a lot of nights the Bears looked like they couldn’t be slowed.
PSJA’s special run came apart at the end of the season, as the Bears dropped their final three games — against Edinburg Vela and Edinburg North to finish district, then to Weslaco East in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
To help Trey Guajardo and the offense add more layers, J.R. Vasquez will be asked to carry the ball more.
TRACK SPEED
“It helps a lot, being able to just throw the ball out there and having them go under and get the ball. It helps,” Trey Guajardo said. “It makes my job easier, knowing that I can trust them having the speed that they have. They’ve grown a lot, and it’s really noticeable now.”
Rodriguez said track serves as speed training for many of his skill players during the offseason. Wide receivers coach Mike Fernandez is largely responsible for the symbiosis since he also serves as the head track coach.
Miguel Flores, a junior receiver who caught 11 passes and scored a touchdown last season, is one of the players who also runs track. At last season’s District 31-6A track meet, he won first place in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.49 seconds.
“It’s fun, because we have a lot of speed, and we’re all young,” Flores said. “Most of our receivers run track, and I think that’s what’s better for our team. It keeps us conditioned. It keeps us more ready than all the other guys.”
The 800 and 1,600 relay teams also won gold at district. That group included Marco Guajardo, Jose Andrade and Miguel Flores — all returning football athletes.
BIG BOYS READY TO STOP THE RUN
At both defensive end positions, the Bears have players they believe can create pressure against running attacks and mobile quarterbacks alike.
Junior Manny Castillo stands 6 feet tall, while senior Marcos Pedraza is even taller. His Hudl profile lists him at 6-foot-4.
“It is a good combination to have speed and strength. I’d say defensive end is one of the hardest positions out there,” Pedraza said. “You have to be in shape. You have to be moving on the time. You got to have that quick burst, and you have to beat that guy first off the line every time.”
Castillo said he was glad he made a big impact as a sophomore, and he’s hoping his hard work will pay off fulfilling a role he enjoys.
“We’re excited about working in the trenches,” Castillo said. “I love everything about it, digging deep against all the big linemen and all that. I had a good season last year as a sophomore, and it’s a good experience coming back. That first game, I had chills. But other than that, it was a great season.”
The Bears defense recovered six fumbles. The secondary, led by returner Jacob Sanchez, picked off 15 passes.
KEYS TO THE SEASON
The Bears were a hit in 2017 and one of the biggest surprises with such a strong turnaround from 2016. Their key will be to continue to pass the ball with success, even as more teams expect the air game from quarterback Trey Guajardo. Size on the defensive line will be crucial as the Bears try to wrap up some of the Valley’s top runners and run offenses. They should be a playoff team and competing for the top spot if they replicate last season’s performance.
2017 record: 8-3
Returning starters O/D: 5/7
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Lupe Rodriguez
Year at school: Second
Record at school: 8-3
This story has been updated to correctly state that Trey and Marco Guajardo are cousins.