MISSION — Mission Veterans head coach David Gilpin has transformed the Patriots into a Valley football perennial power, instilling a “one heartbeat” mindset that led to eight straight playoff appearances, while earning at least a share of the district title between 2017-19.
Last year, however, the Patriots recorded their first losing season since 2011, tallying a 1-5 record while missing the postseason for only the second time during Gilpin’s 12 years at the helm.
The Patriots will face several challenges this year as they look to get back to their winning ways, including graduating eight of 11 starters on offense and playing all their games on the road due to construction at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission.
Gilpin emphasized the importance of their approach during their first practice at midnight Monday, reiterating the “one heartbeat” mentality as they look to prove last season was an anomaly.
“The mindset that I talked to the boys about Monday morning was about just starting as soon as we can,” Gilpin said. “It’s a mindset thing. It doesn’t make a difference if we practice at seven, it’s still the same thing. But the mindset was, let’s get away from last year. This is our new start, our new beginning. At 12:01 a.m. we were going.”
The Patriots have become known for their high-scoring offenses since Gilpin arrived. This year, defense will be their calling, returning eight starters.
Junior linebacker Luis De Hoyos will captain the defense, bursting onto the scene last year, recording 99 total tackles and two sacks in six games.
Meanwhile, towering defensive end Mark Champion returns after missing last season due to injury. The 6-foot-1 senior should provide immediate impact as a pass rusher, registering 36 tackles and three sacks as a sophomore.
Champion and De Hoyos are just two cogs in a deep Patriots defense that could be the best defense they’ve ever had, Gilpin said.
“We’ve had some really good defenses, but this group right here, man,” Gilpin said. “We’re eight deep in the secondary. We’re six deep on the defensive line. We’re five deep at linebacker. When I say eight, six and five, every one of those guys can play in a starting role, a backup role, it doesn’t matter. They can all play.”
While the defense may be the most experienced, Gilpin said he believes the offense won’t skip a beat.
Third-year quarterback Ricky Reyna is the reason for Gilpin’s belief in the offense, calling the senior signal-caller the “latest in a long line of great Patriot quarterbacks.”
Reyna tallied 1,766 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air as a junior, adding 158 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
He’ll have to work with a new group of receivers with the Patriots graduating their four leading wideouts. Still, no drop off is expected, Gilpin said, calling this year’s wideout group the deepest he’s ever seen.
First-year starters Marckopolo Cavazos and Dylan Velasquez have emerged as early favorites to lead the team in targets, spending the offseason working with Reyna to build their bond and chemistry.
“Marckopolo Cavazos has done an amazing job filling into A.J. (Gonzaque’s) shoes,” Reyna said. “Dylan Velasquez is crazy fast. He’s a speedy receiver. I’m going to trust him with the ball. They’re two young guys who really want to go out there and play and just opened my eyes this summer.”
Led by a veteran defense and a senior quarterback, the Patriots are fueled to prove last season was an anomaly, embracing Gilpin’s “one heartbeat” mantra more than ever.
“Last year, we didn’t really have that connection as a team because we were split due to COVID,” Reyna said. “This year, everything is flipped. We’re looking to change that bond. We are going to use that ‘one heartbeat’ Coach Gilpin always talks about and go out there as a team.”
Mission Veterans Memorial opens the season Aug. 26 against Mission High in the Battle of Conway at Bill Pate Stadium in Hidalgo. The Patriots wrap up their non-district slate Sept. 3, traveling to take on San Benito at Bobby Morrow Stadium, before kicking off District 16-5A DII play against Valley View on Sept. 9 at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission.