RIO GRANDE CITY — Rio Grande City head coach Jesus Lozano is no stranger to the Rattlers’ sidelines. He served in the same position from 2006-10, tallying a 21-31 record, including two state playoff appearances.
After spending the past 10 years as an administrator for Rio Grande City CISD, Lozano was named head coach for a second time Feb. 11.
He takes over a program that posted a 2-6 mark during a shortened 2020 season. Still, Lozano hasn’t shied away from his expectations for the 2021 campaign.
“Since Day 1, I made it pretty clear,” he said. “Seniors don’t have next year. I can’t stand a coach who goes into a new program and starts making excuses about baby steps and growing pains.
“We’re not going to take baby steps. We’re not going to go through growing pains. We expect to get things done this year. I expect us to be in the playoffs this year.”
With high expectations from their coach, the Rattlers wasted no time getting to work during the offseason, spending every chance they could in the weight room and conditioning, senior halfback/safety Mikey Compean said.
“We’re chasing excellence,” he said. “From conditioning to lifting in the weight room twice a day, it’s been a grind this summer.”
Compean figures to be a three-way threat for the Rattlers, serving as the team’s halfback, strong safety and returner. He recorded 20 tackles and two pass deflections last season in two appearances at safety.
“Mikey is an athlete,” Lozano said. “That kid can play anywhere on the field. He’s very dedicated and hard working in the weight room. Really, and truly, he’s the first one to be there and the last one to leave. We expect a lot of good things from him.”
He’ll share the load on offense with halfback Steven Garcia and fullback C.J. Garcia, as the Rattlers transition from a balanced spread attack to Lozano’s ground and pound slot-T offense.
Senior Bryan Perez will line up under center, reverting to quarterback after spending last season at tight end. The 6-foot-3 signal-caller should give the Rattlers a threat on the ground and in the passing game.
Offensive linemen Hiram Gonzalez, Jose Lopez and Julio Moreno return to open holes for the Rattlers’ backfield. The line will be the key and backbone off the offense, Lozano said.
“We got a good chunk of the O-line coming back,” Compean said. “They’re going to block very well for our team and our running backs. It’s going to be an intense offense rolling down the field.”
“We’re going to run the ball behind us boys all day,” Gonzalez said. “Hopefully we can get our running backs 1,000 yards rushing this season, lots of touchdowns and lots of pancakes.”
Senior Danny Hinojosa joins Compean on the defensive side of the ball, stepping into a starting role at middle linebacker. Meanwhile, B.J. Peña and Aiden Stafford return to man the front line, combining for 20 tackles in five appearances.
“We’re going to be firing off the ball; 11 helmets on the ball at all times. We’re going to make teams remember us,” Compean said.
Rio Grande City enters the season with two games circled on their calendar. They open the season Aug. 27 against the Roma Gladiators, in the return of the “Starr County Super Bowl.” The rivalry game was not played last year due to a shortened season.
They’ll face off against their former head coach, Leo Mireles, on Sept. 2, traveling to take on Laredo LBJ at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Center in Laredo.
“I’m hoping, first, we beat Roma in that rivalry game. Then right after Roma, we face our old head coach Leo Mireles, hopefully get a win out there. Then, obviously we want to win district and make a deep playoff run.”
The Rattlers kick off District 14-5A DI play Sept. 24 against San Antonio Southwest at Joe R. Sanchez Stadium in Rio Grande City.