NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
The Mission High Eagles started their first day of practice under the glare of the sun at 5 p.m. Monday on the turf of the now-renovated Tom Landry Stadium. They could have been practicing on a dirt field and third-year coach Koy Detmer would have been excited to see his 2018 group in training for the first time.
“There’s always that excitement when football comes around,” Detmer said. “Fresh start. Fresh season. Everyone’s 0-0.”
Without spring ball this year, the coaching staff didn’t have hands-on practice with the new group. Detmer said the coaches were still able to provide guidance and summer workouts to make sure the players were on track with their training and in shape for Day One.
“You put a lot of trust and faith in it, but we’re also around in the summer to see who’s coming in and who’s not, things like that,” Detmer said. “You kind of know which guys have been around.”
The Maroon-clad Eagles figure to be a fast team again. Sebastian Gonzalez leads a speedy receiving core, and Detmer says his defense should have more footspeed in comparison to last year’s bunch.
The Eagles are also pleased to have the rare luxury of depth at the quarterback position. Last year’s starter, Damian Gomez, returns, but he could be pushed by incoming freshman Jeremy Duran as well as McAllen High transfer J.R. Cortez.
“It’s really competitive, honestly,” Gonzalez said. “Everyone’s fighting for their spots. That’s what football’s about. You have to make the best out there to get your spot. That’s how you get better, fighting for what you want to play.”
Gonzalez, who doubles as a track star in the spring, says he’s excited to make speed a big part of Mission’s 2018 campaign.
“It’s definitely going to be a factor, because it’s going to help make huge plays,” Gonzalez said. “Whether you’re a receiver or DB.”