MERCEDES — A football team can learn how to run a play, but one thing that can’t be taught is experience.
And Mercedes has a whole lot of varsity experience returning for the 2019 season as the Tigers bring back 16 starters, eight on each side of the ball. That experience will be instrumental as the Tigers look to make a jump after finishing 5-6 in 2018.
“I think last year was kind of like our rebuilding year. We were just trying to get the feel of things, but now we have 16 starters returning and I’m pretty confident we’re going to be able to get a lot done,” senior receiver Alex Rincon said.
Mercedes struggled out of the gate last season, going just 1-3 in non-district play. The only win came in the Tigers’ opener against Edinburg North as they held on for a 19-16 win.
Then, the Tigers went 4-2 in District 16-5A DII play and punch their ticket to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed.
Those 16 returners are now a year older, bigger and stronger, and ready to build off what last year’s group accomplished.
“That experience is going to help us in those big games against Edcouch(-Elsa), Sharyland (High) and (Sharyland) Pioneer. We have a big point to prove. Coming off last year, we want to show people they have to stop sleeping on us,” junior linebacker Brandon Adame said.
Adame was named District 16-5A DII’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year and he hopes to follow that with another strong season.
“Defensively, we’ve been working in new plays and things are looking really good. We look to set an aggressive tone, play physical,” he said. “That’s how we play defense at Mercedes.”
Establishing that physicality up front for Mercedes’ 3-4 defensive scheme is nose guard Marcus Garcia, who creates an imposing presence with his size and strength right in the middle of the D-line. Garcia feels the Tigers’ defense has the potential to be one of the top units in the Valley.
“We have 11 guys working towards one goal. It takes at least two or three people to stop me every play,” he said. “It’s a big role on this defense because if it takes two or three people to block me, that leaves two people open on our defense so our linebackers — I create that hole — they shoot in and get a sack. It’s teamwork. I just play my role.”
Offensively, the Tigers believe they have the tools to keep opponents off-balance with a solid running game and dangerous aerial attack. Rincon and Cantu (780 receiving yards, 8 total touchdowns) combine to create reliable 1-2 receiver option for quarterback Horacio Pequeño, who had 950 yards and 18 total touchdowns last season.
While the Tigers aren’t hurting defenses with the pass, running backs Sonny Vela (625 yards, 7 TDs) and Edcouch-Elsa transfer Jared De Los Santos will be leaned on to pick up yards on the ground.
With all the pieces of the puzzle coming together for sixth-year head coach Roger Adame, the Tigers are ready to contend for a district title.
“There’s a lot of talent, a lot of solid players in this district, but I feel like we’re getting slept on. We’re one of those teams that can contend for a district championship,” Cantu said.
Mercedes hosts Edinburg North at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tigers Stadium in Mercedes.