GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — McAllen Memorial cruised to an undefeated regular season last year, but safety Joey Delgado felt the Mustangs defense was consistently slighted. Those who looked at the program noticed only the 60 points per game and the record-setting production of running back Trevor Speights. They often neglected a defense that yielded a district-low 204 points and ranked second in 30-6A allowing 300.2 yards per game.

“Last year, we would get a lot of criticism,” Delgado said. “We were not a respected defense. We were not as strong as we could be. This year, I don’t want any of that. I want to really shut them out on the offensive side.”

Delgado and linebacker Jaryd Lara, both entering their third year as varsity regulars, will spearhead that effort.

With the graduation of Sam Hinojosa — last year’s top tackler and emotional leader — and second-team all-state defensive tackle Ricky Miner choosing to transfer, Lara and Delgado are taking on greater leadership roles with their attitudes as well as their play.

“I do have high hopes for this defense,” Lara said, “and I do see us making a big impact this year.”

Lining up at Will linebacker last year, Lara finished second on the Mustangs with 140 tackles. Typically a major proponent of the weight room — he could squat 515, bench 310 and power clean 285 in the spring — Lara spent his summer trying to stay lean.

He still became more muscular as a result of four weekly lifts, but he maintained his weight at 210 pounds. As he moves to middle linebacker this season, his focus has been speed. From consistently running the 40-yard dash in about 4.85 seconds, Lara now touches in the 4.6 range.

“It’s making a big impact,” Lara said. “I knew I was going to be in the middle, so I wanted to be able to get sideline to sideline. Make plays on both sides of the field.”

Versatility is one of Lara’s strengths, as last season he sometimes slid down to defensive line to provide a more explosive presence.

Delgado offers a similar adaptability, having broken into the varsity rotation at linebacker as a sophomore before shifting back to his natural safety position.

Last season, he racked up 113 tackles and a team-best 4 interceptions.

“Coming from my sophomore year playing linebacker, I really got to get really good at coming downhill full speed,” Delgado said. “So I’m good at both coming down and playing pass. I can do either one. I’m comfortable.”

Both Delgado and Lara will have tougher jobs this year without Miner, who made 127 tackles with 7 sacks last season and proved an anchor on the interior at 6-foot and 280 pounds before transferring to Brownsville St. Joseph during the offseason.

Already, the Mustangs feel they have another rising star on the defensive line in end Frank Opazo, who has shown an ideal blend of size, speed and athleticism.

“(Miner) was a linebacker’s best friend,” Lara said. “He would be able to take on two offensive linemen, and you wouldn’t have to worry about a guy picking you up, because he’d be there holding him for you, and you’d be able to go make the play. But we have guys who are stepping up, and they’re getting better each day, and they’re slowly making it easier for us linebackers.”

NEXT IN LINE

Freshman Campbell Speights has emerged as the leading candidate to replace his brother Trevor, who graduated after last season as the leading rusher in Valley football history following a 3,195-yard, 50-touchdown senior campaign.

Campbell is already on college scouts’ radar for his performance in various camps and showcases, and coach Bill Littleton said he expects Campbell to be an “outstanding” athlete for Memorial. Still, Littleton has declined to make Campbell available to the media.

“I don’t want him to have to go through the comparison of, ‘How are you going to go with Trevor?’ and all of that. I think he’s too young for that right now,” Littleton said. “I don’t think that’s fair to him. He hasn’t even carried the ball yet. He just needs to grow into himself a little bit. Let him mature a little bit, and let him show you what he can do on the field.”

Junior JoJo Williams was in line to compete for the starting running back job, but Littleton said Williams is unexpectedly out of town and yet to participate in practice.

“He’ll be an impact player for us when he comes in here, gets in shape and does what he needs to do to play,” Littleton said. “But until he gets here, we’re going forward and getting another plan put together.”

IN FLUX

McAllen Memorial has already been dealt two blows to its offensive line, as center Armando Garcia will be out about two months with a broken arm and right tackle Cesar Davila will miss the year with a broken leg.

Esteban Perez, Aaron Ramirez and tight end Trey Earhart are Memorial’s other varsity returners up front.

[email protected]

PROGNOSIS

As a result of injury, absence and transfer, McAllen Memorial doesn’t have all of the pieces it expected to enter 2016. But the Mustangs still have plenty of talent old and new to cruise through District 30-6A.

Projected 2016 Record: 8-4

TENURE

Coach: Bill Littleton

Year at School: 14th

Record at McAllen High: 89-57

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — Less than two weeks from the start of the 2016 season, McAllen High’s quarterback position is still in flux. The receiver group lacks clear starters. At running back, the Bulldogs are trying to replace not just All-Area Offensive Player of the Year Josh McGowen, who graduated, but also his heir apparent, Gunnar Henderson, who transferred to Brownsville St. Joseph.

With so little solidified at the skill positions, the Bulldogs enter 2016 planning to lean heavily on their offensive line — a group of five seniors that includes three returning starters.

“We’re definitely going to be required to put in extra work out there and carry the team more,” right guard Andrew Tipton said. “We’re going to have to help the skill guys. Push the pile for the extra yard, and make sure they get the most out of their runs. We love it. We love the expectations being incredibly high for us, because it pushes us every day.”

Tipton returns at right guard after starting every game last season. Joseph Guerra is also back at left guard, and Will Solis will play left tackle — where he started last year’s first five games before missing the rest of the season due to injury.

Joining them up front is returning letterman Aaron Carbajal at center, junior varsity call-up Zach Hettler at right tackle and tight end Sandon Yarto, another senior and returning starter.

“We always lean on our offensive line around here,” McAllen High coach Kevin Brewer said. “We’re going to lean on them through the course of the year, and that just comes with the territory and our style of play.”

McHi’s leading returning rusher, Mark Martinez, carried the ball 16 times for 118 yards last season. Brewer said Martinez will make up one half of a “two-headed monster” along with first-time varsity player Roy Gutierrez. Both are expected to bring a physical, straight-ahead running style.

“Our backup running back, Mark Martinez, he had a few good runs last year, but I feel like he’s still trying to find how he’s going to run on the varsity level,” Yarto said. “All of our other running backs, they’re just real young. First-year varsity. I feel like our line is going to help a lot with that. And since we have first-year varsity quarterbacks, our line is going to play a big part in our passing game, as well.”

The competition to be the Bulldogs’ signal caller is still up in the air between returning backup Ruben Rodriguez and varsity newcomer JR Cortez. Brewer said he wants to make a decision on a starter after Friday’s scrimmage against San Benito, saying splitting time throughout the year isn’t fair to either player.

At wideout, Brewer is also yet to tab starters.

“We’re still evaluating the quarterback situation and the wide receiver situation, but we knew that coming in,” Brewer said. “So all in all, good so far.”

The Bulldogs’ offense was reliant on McGowen last season, as he finished his only season at McHi with the school records for yards (1,891), rushing touchdowns (22), total touchdowns (26), and yards in a single game (340).

Brewer thought McHi would have a surefire replacement in Henderson, who had shown elite speed, quickness and athleticism playing defensive back as a sophomore. Then, on June 20, Henderson posted to Twitter that he would be transferring to Brownsville St. Joseph, feeling it was a better opportunity academically and athletically.

Yarto said Brewer hardly mentioned it to the team, only saying that anyone who didn’t want to be a part of the program wasn’t needed and not addressing Henderson by name. So far, Brewer said the Bulldogs have not been hurt by Henderson’s absence. “Gunnar is a very talented kid, and we had plans for him obviously getting the ball in his hands at different positions,” Brewer said. “So far during two-a-days, I have not at any point said to myself, ‘Man, we really need Gunnar here.’ I feel really good with the kids that we’ve got, and I think we’re fine.”

STOUT DEFENSE

Brewer said McHi’s entire defense has stood out so far this spring. A fast and aggressive front seven is highlighted by linebackers Jose Peña and Franky Gutierrez, and the defensive line has four returning starters: tackles Tony Carranza and Carlos Rivera and ends Amadeo Salinas and Mark Neal.

Pablo Alvarado is the leader in the secondary, though Brewer said the group doesn’t have any true vocal leader after defensive lineman Cesar Guzman transferred to Lake Travis following the 2015 season.

“It hurt each and every one of us that he left,” Alvarado said. “But it shouldn’t be that hard. I’m sure we can pick up where we left off.”

WELCOME ABOARD

The Bulldogs have seen players join the team from other sports and immediately compete for starting spots.

Luis Vega, a basketball player, has brought leadership to the linebacker position. And Keola Zamora, a baseball player, has looked like a center fielder as he tracks plays from the free safety position.

“Every year, it seems like we draw more and more,” Brewer said. “It’s a two-way street, because when football is over, I demand that my football players play other sports.”

[email protected]

PROGNOSIS

Even after losing would-be top returners Gunnar Henderson and Cesar Guzman to transfers, McAllen High has enough depth and talent to make the playoffs for the 10th time in the past 11 seasons.

Projected 2016 Record: 6-5

TENURE

Coach: Kevin Brewer

Year at School: Fourth

Record at McAllen High: 22-12

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — On the field and off, Mission High linebacker Steven De Leon is quiet and reserved. He speaks only rarely and in short sentences, be it in the huddle, with his friends, or in interviews.

But between the lines in competition, De Leon’s play takes on an entirely different personality.

“That’s how he is with us, but he’s crazy,” Eagles free safety Azahel Arizpe said. “He’s totally different on the field and off the field. (He says) nothing. But it’s the plays he makes. That’s what he does.”

Last season, as only a sophomore, De Leon racked up 129 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 10 sacks to earn Associated Press All-State honorable mention recognition.

With new coach Koy Detmer bringing new systems offensively and defensively, De Leon enters 2016 expected to carry a heavy load at linebacker and running back.

“He’ll be on both sides, most of the time,” Detmer said. “The thing about him is he’s a very good player. … For his size, he has good speed. He’s a very strong, tough kid.”

Entering last season, De Leon had very modest expectations of himself. He figured he would be a second- or third-string option on the Eagles’ defense — a group that typically ranks near the top of the district in yards allowed.

He never envisioned that he would become Mission’s most productive defensive player and an all-state honoree.

“I was surprised. I thought I wasn’t going to start,” De Leon said. “It was incredible. It felt pretty good. … I was shocked. I didn’t know I was going to go that far, but I did.”

As Mission switches from a 3-3 defense to a 3-4, De Leon expects to have a slightly different role. Whereas last year he lined up on the outside and read the running back, this year he takes up a position inside and keys on the offensive guard.

So far, the change hasn’t slowed him down any, Detmer said.

“He has good instincts and an eye for seeing where the ball is going to go and getting to the ball,” Detmer said.

De Leon also started to carve out a role on offense late last season. On Oct. 22, he ran 18 times for 101 yards against McAllen Rowe, and the following week he had 16 carries for 88 yards and two scores against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.

At 6-foot and 210 pounds — an increase from the 200 he weighed last year — De Leon is a load to bring down in the open field, especially given his 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash.

“If you can get a crease there for him to run through, he’s a tough tackle for one guy,” Detmer said.

To prepare for the growing workload, De Leon said he conditioned every day for two hours during the summer, either navigating a rope ladder or running 40- and 50-yard sprints.

The Eagles’ practice schedule also helps his conditioning, as he finds little time for rest in trying to drill with both the offensive and defensive groups. If he gets any breaks during the season, Detmer said they will likely come on the offensive side, where De Leon will rotate with returning back Robert Gonzalez behind quarterback Rudy Treviño.

“It’s going to be tough on him,” Treviño said. “He’s going to get tired on defense, which is his main goal. But on offense, he looks pretty solid.”

Detmer said De Leon is already on the radar of college scouts because of his size and speed. Beyond those attributes, recruiters have been pleased to see that De Leon loves not only football, but the process of getting better, Detmer said.

De Leon said college is one of his long-term goals. For this season, his focus is on making the all-state team again, whether it be at linebacker or running back.

“Whichever one is fine,” De Leon said. “Probably defense. Defense is where I’m more aggressive.”

MOVING FORWARD

With Treviño and the offense retaining most of what they learned in the spring, Detmer said he’s been able to move forward with the installation of his new, multiple attack.

With talent evaluation ongoing, Detmer said the team’s identity on that side of the ball is still taking shape.

Treviño expects the offense to be improved from a unit that ranked fourth in District 30-6A at 330.7 yards per game last season. “We want to be a strong offense this year,” Treviño said. “Not like last year, that we were kind of weak. We’ll try to bring it up so we can find a spot in the playoffs.”

IRONMAN FOOTBALL

De Leon, Arizpe and Omar Vera are among a few players who project to play both sides of the ball for Mission High this season.

The two-way players face not only a conditioning challenge but the prospect of learning new terms and systems on both sides, though Arizpe said the defense has been progressing smoothly.

“We’re picking it up pretty good. Better than expected,” Arizpe said. “We’re learning fast.”

[email protected]

PROGNOSIS

Mission High is in store for an exciting season under new coach Koy Detmer, but the Eagles will be hard pressed to push through growing pains and make the playoffs in Year 1.

Projected 2016 Record: 4-6

TENURE

Coach: Koy Detmer

Year at School: First

Career record: 0-0

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — When running back Joel Piña was playing on La Joya Palmview’s junior varsity team two years ago, coach Margarito Requenez never thought about calling him up.

The coaches figured Piña would be a useful varsity player as a junior in 2015, but they didn’t expect him to post quite the breakout season he did: 198 carries for 1,691 yards and 20 touchdowns.

“He kind of exceeded what I thought he was going to do,” Requenez said. “He kind of shocked us in the scrimmages, and then the first three games he had breakout games and set the tempo for the rest of the team.”

With most of Palmview’s offensive weapons from 2015 graduated, the Lobos will “rely heavily” on Piña once again this season, Requenez said.

Piña is expected to come into this year faster, stronger and healthier after missing the majority of four games last season with a hamstring injury.

Entering 2016 at 5-foot-9 and around 190 pounds with about a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, Piña hopes to offer a blend of speed, power and quickness he didn’t quite have in 2015.

“Last year, he was more of trying to make you miss, but could still run you over,” Requenez said. “This year, he’s going to be both. He’s a lot bigger. He’s a lot faster.”

Piña was dominant during the season’s first five games last year, averaging 222.6 yards and 3.6 touchdowns per game as the Lobos jumped out to a 3-2 start.

Then, Piña suffered a hamstring injury on a horse-collar tackle, Requenez said. During the next four games, he was limited to 120 yards without a score as Palmview went 1-3.

“That was the worst,” Piña said of the injury. “First you have to just stretch. That’s what you have to do. If you don’t stretch good, it can come back.”

Piña returned to form with huge showings in Palmview’s final two games, but the soft-spoken senior remains quick to deflect praise.

“It was the team,” Piña said. “We just have to get everybody going. When we get that, everything starts clicking.”

His goals for 2016 are 200 yards per game and 25 touchdowns, but Requenez acknowledged that Piña‘s production will hinge on the offensive line in front of him.

Last year, a group of six seniors helped Palmview bulldoze its way to the second-most productive offense in District 30-6A (414 yards per game) and a playoff berth.

Requenez said his new group of linemen has size and at least some varsity experience, but nothing that compares to last year’s bunch.

“Until they get the full grasp of what it means to play on Friday nights,” Requenez said, “that’s when we’re really going to see how good the offensive line is going to be.”

BACK IN THE FOLD

After playing his sophomore season at La Joya Palmview, Tristan Myende transferred to Katy Taylor for 2015. There, he lined up against undefeated state champion Katy, which rolled to a 16-0 record and won its playoff games by an average margin of 44.2 points.

Myende is returning to Palmview for his senior season this year, ready to utilize what he’s learned against some of the state’s best.

“It takes away all of your nerves playing against DI prospects and stuff like that,” Myende said. “When you come back down, you get a little more confidence coming down playing against, and with, my own players that I grew up with. It feels really good.”

Although he was only a second-string defensive back at Katy Taylor, Myende says he is returning to the Valley with more knowledge, experience and confidence.

He aims to do a little bit of everything for the Lobos, lining up at free safety, running back and receiver. He hopes to pick up at least 400 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.

“He’s one of those go-to guys. If you need something, you go to Tristan,” Requenez said. “He’s one of those players you have to take advantage of his skills. Those guys come once in a while, and when you do have one, you have to showcase him.”

CHANGING IT UP

Requenez was reluctant to divulge many of the details, but linebacker Miguel De Hoyos said Palmview will be changing things up on defense, bringing in a new system under a new coordinator.

De Hoyos should be one of the key players in the middle, working behind a stout defensive line highlighted by ends Max Garcia and Rolando Andrade and tackle Rogelio Garza.

“I think we’ll be a lot better than last year in the sense that I think we’re faster,” Requenez said. “We’re a lot bigger and stronger than we were last year. The only thing with last year’s group was the experience.”

Palmview’s defense lost a majority of its starters from a unit that allowed 397.4 yards per game last season, but Requenez said the new starters are bigger and faster. De Hoyos said the newcomers and returners alike were adapting to the new system.

“At first it was a little difficult,” De Hoyos said, “but as the days go by, we pick it up and it gets easier.”

“I feel we can be way better than last year. A lot better.”

[email protected]

PROGNOSIS

Palmview brings back its most productive offensive player but will have to prove it has the pieces to form a valuable offensive line and the talent to make a new-look defense thrive.

Projected 2016 Record: 5-5

TENURE

Coach: Margarito Requenez

Year at school: Third

Record at school: 12-16-1

Palmview’s Piña returning for 2016 healthy, improved

BY GREG LUCA

STAFF WRITER

MISSION — When running back Joel Piña was playing on La Joya Palmview’s junior varsity team two years ago, coach Margarito Requenez never thought about calling him up.

The coaches figured Piña would be a useful varsity player as a junior in 2015, but they didn’t expect him to post quite the breakout season he did: 198 carries for 1,691 yards and 20 touchdowns.

“He kind of exceeded what I thought he was going to do,” Requenez said. “He kind of shocked us in the scrimmages, and then the first three games he had breakout games and set the tempo for the rest of the team.”

With most of Palmview’s offensive weapons from 2015 graduated, the Lobos will “rely heavily” on Piña once again this season, Requenez said.

Piña is expected to come into this year faster, stronger and healthier after missing the majority of four games last season with a hamstring injury.

Entering 2016 at 5-foot-9 and around 190 pounds with about a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, Piña hopes to offer a blend of speed, power and quickness he didn’t quite have in 2015.

“Last year, he was more of trying to make you miss, but could still run you over,” Requenez said. “This year, he’s going to be both. He’s a lot bigger. He’s a lot faster.”

Piña was dominant during the season’s first five games last year, averaging 222.6 yards and 3.6 touchdowns per game as the Lobos jumped out to a 3-2 start.

Then, Piña suffered a hamstring injury on a horse-collar tackle, Requenez said. During the next four games, he was limited to 120 yards without a score as Palmview went 1-3.

“That was the worst,” Piña said of the injury. “First you have to just stretch. That’s what you have to do. If you don’t stretch good, it can come back.”

Piña returned to form with huge showings in Palmview’s final two games, but the soft-spoken senior remains quick to deflect praise.

“It was the team,” Piña said. “We just have to get everybody going. When we get that, everything starts clicking.”

His goals for 2016 are 200 yards per game and 25 touchdowns, but Requenez acknowledged that Piña‘s production will hinge on the offensive line in front of him.

Last year, a group of six seniors helped Palmview bulldoze its way to the second-most productive offense in District 30-6A (414 yards per game) and a playoff berth.

Requenez said his new group of linemen has size and at least some varsity experience, but nothing that compares to last year’s bunch.

“Until they get the full grasp of what it means to play on Friday nights,” Requenez said, “that’s when we’re really going to see how good the offensive line is going to be.”

BACK IN THE FOLD

After playing his sophomore season at La Joya Palmview, Tristan Myende transferred to Katy Taylor for 2015. There, he lined up against undefeated state champion Katy, which rolled to a 16-0 record and won its playoff games by an average margin of 44.2 points.

Myende is returning to Palmview for his senior season this year, ready to utilize what he’s learned against some of the state’s best.

“It takes away all of your nerves playing against DI prospects and stuff like that,” Myende said. “When you come back down, you get a little more confidence coming down playing against, and with, my own players that I grew up with. It feels really good.”

Although he was only a second-string defensive back at Katy Taylor, Myende says he is returning to the Valley with more knowledge, experience and confidence.

He aims to do a little bit of everything for the Lobos, lining up at free safety, running back and receiver. He hopes to pick up at least 400 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.

“He’s one of those go-to guys. If you need something, you go to Tristan,” Requenez said. “He’s one of those players you have to take advantage of his skills. Those guys come once in a while, and when you do have one, you have to showcase him.”

CHANGING IT UP

Requenez was reluctant to divulge many of the details, but linebacker Miguel De Hoyos said Palmview will be changing things up on defense, bringing in a new system under a new coordinator.

De Hoyos should be one of the key players in the middle, working behind a stout defensive line highlighted by ends Max Garcia and Rolando Andrade and tackle Rogelio Garza.

“I think we’ll be a lot better than last year in the sense that I think we’re faster,” Requenez said. “We’re a lot bigger and stronger than we were last year. The only thing with last year’s group was the experience.”

Palmview’s defense lost a majority of its starters from a unit that allowed 397.4 yards per game last season, but Requenez said the new starters are bigger and faster. De Hoyos said the newcomers and returners alike were adapting to the new system.

“At first it was a little difficult,” De Hoyos said, “but as the days go by, we pick it up and it gets easier.”

“I feel we can be way better than last year. A lot better.”

[email protected]

PROGNOSIS

Palmview brings back its most productive offensive player but will have to prove it has the pieces to form a valuable offensive line and the talent to make a new-look defense thrive.

Projected 2016 Record: 5-5

TENURE

Coach: Margarito Requenez

Year at school: Third

Record at school: 12-16-1

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — Last season, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln coach Tommy Garcia could tell that defensive end Abram Aguilar was a little hesitant. Coming back from an ACL tear suffered the year prior, Aguilar favored his strong leg, unable to move from side to side without pain.

His play never showed it. He finished 2015 as one of Juarez-Lincoln’s most productive defenders, racking up 92.5 tackles, 2 sacks and 11 hurries. And as the Huskies prepare for 2016, Aguilar believes he is a year stronger, better and healthier.

“Last year in my season, I had to wear a knee brace, so I couldn’t change directions,” Aguilar said. “But not anymore. I don’t use it anymore. It’s already been a year, so I feel pretty good about it.“

Aguilar said he suffered the tear on a chop block on Oct. 17, 2014, against McAllen High but continued to play, suiting up for the season’s final three games.

Once he warmed up, he found it pretty easy to shrug off the pain. He knew if he told the coaches anything else, they would bench him.

“I just thought it was a meniscus, or something not that big,” Aguilar said.

Once he had the knee checked out and underwent surgery following the season, he was told he would be out for about a year. He said he was back on the field going through drills after only six months.

Though he needed a little time to round back into form, he quickly proved himself a valuable piece of last year’s rotation and earned a leadership role on this season’s squad.

“He’s looking great,” Garcia said. “He has the size. He has the speed, and the quickness. He’s one of those guys they should have to double team on every play.”

The 5-foot-11 Aguilar said he’s greatly improved his strength from when he entered the program, bulking up from 205 pounds to 225. He also said he’s increased his speed and quickness, adding extra bite to his go-to swim move.

“He’s really aggressive. He’s going to come at you nasty,” Juarez-Lincoln defensive back Elias Gutierrez said. “He’s going to hit you and do everything he can to take you down. He’s always been like that.”

Aguilar has taken charge of his defensive teammates, regularly making sure they’re on time for the start of practice at 7 a.m.

When he sees someone slacking on a drill, he yells at them “Let’s go!” or “Move!”

“He pumps everyone up and tries to motivate all of the line,” Gutierrez said. “He just starts screaming and getting them ready. I get that fire, and then I spark up all of my DBs. And from there, we just set it off and set the tone.”

DEFENSE IN FLUX?

Because Aguilar is capable of standing up and playing linebacker, Garcia is considering switching Juarez-Lincoln’s base defense from a 4-2 to a 3-3. Although the Huskies’ 90-player turnout for two-a-days is the best Garcia has seen in his five-year tenure, the defensive line is still relatively thin. The linebacker position, on the other hand, boasts a strong pair of returning juniors in Joseph Valdez and Benito Gonzalez.

Whatever the alignment, Gutierrez figures to anchor the secondary after amassing 97.5 tackles, 3 forced fumbles and 3 interceptions last season.

“Elias is awesome. I wish I could clone him,” Garcia said. “He’s one of those rare kids who comes along that I think he’s going to possibly be the player of the year in our district. He’s just awesome.”

ON OFFENSE

After moving over from cornerback in the spring, Andrew Rodriguez remains in line to be Juarez-Lincoln’s starting quarterback, though Garcia said Isai Galvan has improved enough to make it a competition.

“In spring ball I learned, and now I’m going all out,” Rodriguez said.

CJ Flores and Harley Vargas project as his top receiving threats, and he’ll operate behind an offensive line that has size and returns a pair of starters in Jesus Proa and Julio Monsivalles.

[email protected]

PROGNOSIS

With plenty of young players returning after the first playoff appearance in program history, Juarez-Lincoln has the tools to prove that 2015 wasn’t a fluke.

Projected 2016 Record: 6-5

TENURE

Coach: Tommy Garcia

Year at school: Fifth

Record at school: 13-28

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — After a year of lining up across from him during drills, McAllen Rowe offensive lineman Alan Hernandez wasn’t too surprised to see defensive end Nate Hernandez try his hand at running back.

Alan had already been exposed to the quick feet and good hands that would make Nate a dangerous weapon in the backfield, especially around the goal line given his 6-foot, 200-pound frame.

As Rowe looks to establish a running game in a fresh spread, one-back offense under new head coach Bobby Flores, Nate has emerged as a potential second option in the backfield behind probable starter Raudel Garcia.

“It’s been pretty fun,” Nate said. “I like running the ball, and I want to score.”

Opportunities to move the ball on the ground were rare for the Warriors last season. Under then-coach Paul Reyes, Rowe picked up a District 30-6A-best 2,483 passing yards but managed only a district-worst 892 rushing yards.

Leading running back Jose Chavez had just 31 carries for 110 yards, and Garcia, then a backup, had 25 carries for 97 yards.

Rowe’s numbers on the ground project to increase under new offensive coordinator Shaun Tarantola, who is instituting a spread, one-back set with lots of pre-snap motion.

“It’s good. This way, we can spread the ball a little bit more,” Garcia said. “There were times last year where we could’ve run the ball, and it would have been good. But overall, it’s good.”

Garcia said learning all of the new plays and motions has been the hardest part of the transition, with Rowe working out of a significantly larger playbook. From a running backs’ perspective, Garcia said the biggest difference is zone running and trying to read his blockers as the play develops.

A one-cut back with about a 4.7-second 40-yard dash time, the 170-pound Garcia said he isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder when he needs to.

“Raudel is definitely very explosive,” Flores said. “He’s a guy we’d like to get the ball to more.”

The Warriors will also be looking to establish the ground game on sweep action, typically with Hector Ramirez or Jose Barrera.

Like Nate Hernandez, Barrera is an all-district defensive player being cross-trained on offense. Flores has been working through a similar process up front, where defensive linemen Daniel Martinez and Ivan Avila have proven potential fits on the offensive line.

Also on the offensive line will be guard/tackle Alan Hernandez — a three-year starter, leader and anchor — and center Norbert Salinas. Although the group seemed to be lagging a little behind their defensive counterparts during the spring, Flores praised them for their strong offseason working out together to build chemistry.

“We were kind of adjusting to it, but right now, we’re looking pretty good,” Alan Hernandez said. “We’re more comfortable with what we’re doing.”

THROUGH THE AIR

While Rowe is set to try to establish the run more this season, the Warriors also have an experienced quarterback to lean on in junior Jesus Sanchez.

After racking up 948 yards and 9 touchdowns against 4 interceptions last season, Sanchez has been holding off varsity newcomer William Savage in the quarterback competition.

“Sanchez obviously has the edge because of experience,” Flores said.

FAMILIAR FACES

Most of Rowe’s returning starters are on the defensive side of the ball, where last year the team ranked next-to-last in District 30-6A allowing 411.1 yards per game.

Frank Delgado will anchor the defense at linebacker, while Barrera is the standout in the secondary and Nate Hernandez leads the line.

“Experience wise, we’re there,” Flores said. “They shouldn’t have any jitters. I’m expecting big things from our defense this year.”

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PROGNOSIS

New coach Bobby Flores will lean on a few experienced defensive pieces while a new-look offense finds its footing. Combined with a soft non-district schedule, the fresh approach should help Rowe to its first winning season since 2012.

Projected 2016 Record: 6-4

TENURE

Coach: Bobby Flores

Year at school: First

Career record: 0-0

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

LA JOYA — La Joya High safety Leo Garza was riding a tractor around his yard when he suddenly felt lost. He jumped off and looked around in a haze before his mother, Nancy, came over to check on him.

“What are we doing here?” Leo asked.

Nancy explained to him that he was at home, with his family, and that everything was OK. In the two months since the 2015 football season had ended, she had grown used helping Leo through headaches, lightheadedness, and even occasional bouts of memory loss, all stemming from a pair of concussions he had suffered three weeks apart.

“I get scared, because I don’t know how to help him out,” Nancy said. “I can tell him who he is or who I am, but when he forgets and he doesn’t know, it’s scary, because I don’t know what else to do.”

Doctors have told Leo and his parents that the complications are somewhat normal, affecting about three out of every 10 patients who have suffered concussions. Leo said a specialist told him not to play football again, citing the long-term brain damage that can result from repeated head trauma.

Initially, Leo agreed to oblige, a decision that very much pleased his parents. But as the summer wore on and senior year approached, Leo had a change of heart. As La Joya High goes through practices in preparation for the 2016 season, Leo is a regular participant, set to reprise his role as one of the team’s leaders in the secondary.

“At first I was like, I don’t think I’m going to be able to do this,” Leo said. “But then one day, everything just got to me again. And I said, ‘You know what? I can.’”

“I love this sport, and I can’t stay away from it.”

When Leo suffered his first concussion on Sept. 17 against Weslaco East, the only person he recognized was then-coach George Espinoza.

As his family brought him to the hospital, Leo kept repeating three questions: How did we do? Did we win? How is the team? He was kept overnight, until 6 p.m. the following day. He had no recollection of the game.

In the weeks that followed, Leo dealt with headaches, anxiety and trouble sleeping, Nancy said. Leo’s farther, Carlos, said he was surprised when Leo passed La Joya High’s concussion protocol and returned to the field Oct. 9, against La Joya Palmview. Nancy remembers being stunned and unable to breathe when Leo went down again during that game. He again seemed disoriented, asking the same questions over and over.

“By the time he played Palmview, he was in pain, but he wouldn’t let us know,” Nancy said. “We wouldn’t notice it on him. After the second concussion, that was when we started paying more attention.”

Unlike the first concussion, most of the immediate effects subsided relatively quickly. In the next few weeks he was sometimes sensitive to light and sound, so he stayed home and watched the games on Hudl rather than from the sideline.

Leo said it was a couple months later that he started having lapses in memory.

“I forgot where I was, who I was talking to,” Leo said. “I forgot my friend’s names, and my parents, as well.”

The change was shocking for Leo. He ditched aspirations of a career in phlebotomy out of fear of suffering a mental lapse while working with a patient. Carlos saw that Leo was different.

The family watched the movie “Concussion” together, and Leo resigned himself to giving up his dreams of playing in college. But then a talk with his uncle, Jaime, who has a history in boxing, convinced Leo to not give up.

“Since I got the concussion my life kind of went down. I lost a lot more than I had gained,” Leo said. “And since that talk with my uncle, I feel like I’ve been gaining now instead of losing.”

Leo said returning to play was a challenge to his conditioning, with tasks that once seemed easy becoming much more difficult. To compensate, he runs or bikes a few miles extra before or after practice.

Given that Leo is cleared, La Joya coach Reuben Farias is going to allow him to play, but only about 10 plays per game during the non-district season.

Nancy went as far as trying to bribe Leo with a car to keep him away from football, but Leo insisted on going back. She and Carlos have noticed an improvement in Leo’s focus and attitude since his return, and they’re optimistic he’ll go back to chasing his goal of a career in medicine once the concussion symptoms fully subside.

“As parents, the first reaction is trying to talk him out of it,” Carlos said. “But then, we decided to support him.”

NEW WEAPON

La Joya High’s offense will welcome a new receiver into the fold, with Joseph Moreno transferring in from McAllen Rowe. In the past two seasons, Moreno has racked up 95 catches for 1,367 yards and 13 TDs.

DEFENSIVE DRIVE

Leo Garza is one of six returning starters on defense. Other key pieces include linebackers Rey Hernandez, Jonathan Gomez and Anthony Chapa, lineman Jose Perez and safety Fernando De La Rosa.

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PROGNOSIS

First-year coach Reuben Farias is hoping to revitalize La Joya High, which has enough familiar faces on offense and defense to make a run at the playoffs.

Projected 2016 Record: 4-7

TENURE

Coach: Reuben Farias

Year at school: 1st

Career record: 0-0

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

WESLACO — Weslaco East junior JC Vargas is the team’s every-down free safety, leading returning receiver, and a mainstay on every special team as the projected punter, kickoff returner and punt returner.

So when does he find time to rest?

“Uhhh,” Vargas said, pausing. “I don’t know…”

Coach Mike Burget says the answer is offense. But rest assured, it won’t be often.

As Weslaco East heads toward the 2016 season looking to reach the playoffs for a 10th consecutive year, Vargas is ready to step into the do-everything role that last season belonged to All-Area All-Purpose Player of the Year Ciro Rojas.

“He’s going to do it all this year,” Burget said. “He’s going to be another Ciro. Will he be as good? Only time will tell.”

In preparation for the increased role, Vargas chose to wear the jersey number Rojas donned last season: 1.

Burget said the decision is a testament to how close the two were last year. When Vargas took the rare offensive snap, Rojas would help him line up and make sure he understood the play.

“I’ve been looking up to him ever since my freshman year,” Vargas said. “He’s always been there. So now, taking his role is big shoes to fill. … It’s pressure, because he was pretty good. So I have to put as much as he did into the team.”

A starter last season, Vargas racked up 53 tackles and four interceptions at free safety, showing a willingness to hit and attack the ball in the air. On offense, Vargas flashed potential, averaging 21.3 yards on his three carries and 12.4 yards on his nine catches.

“He’s a college athlete,” Burget said. “He’s a college secondary kid. He’s a college receiver. He’s very explosive.”

Learning an offense that aims to spread and pass more while picking up the tweaks to a defense that wants to use more complex secondary schemes, Vargas has split his practice time about evenly, with a slight lean toward offense.

With sights set on a heavier role, Vargas walked into practice this season changed, ready and excited, Burget said. Vargas has seen himself develop significantly since he joined the varsity team has a freshman, when he weighed just 135 pounds and relied on his athleticism. He enters his junior season weighing 160 pounds and serving as one of the vocal leaders on the defensive side.

“When I first came in, I didn’t know much,” Vargas said. “I would go up there, and I would get hit. I’ve just learned how to keep up with the pace. I think I’m a lot faster, smarter, and bigger.”

CHANGING THEIR WAYS

With a proven quarterback in Richard LeFevre and a deep group of receivers, Burget said East is looking incorporate more passing into its offense. The past two seasons, the Wildcats have gained more than 80 percent of their offensive yardage on the ground.

“We’re going to be patient. We’re going to try to throw the ball,” Burget said. “If we go 5-5 or 4-6, I hope that people out there know we’re trying something new. We’re going to commit to the pass game this year.”

Defensively, East is switching to a 3-4 front that will emphasize speed and aggression. Burget said the Wildcats are smaller on defense than they’ve ever been, so the plan is to constantly attack and try to penetrate the line of scrimmage.

Linebackers Adrian Duran (122 tackles) and Roy Pedraza (82 tackles) are among a large contingent of returning starters — a reason communication is improved from last year.

“We’re in a more aggressive defense than we were,” Duran said. “We’re going to be blitzing, and everybody goes to the ball, and everybody is going to get in on the tackle.”

TOUGH TESTS

Weslaco East has assembled one of the hardest slates possible without leaving the Valley. The Wildcats will face Sharyland High, McAllen Memorial and Edinburg Economedes before opening District 32-6A play with Weslaco High, San Benito, Los Fresnos and Harlingen High.

“When we saw the schedule we laughed, and then we cried a little bit,” Burget said. “We know we have our hands full. We know it. We take on the challenge.”

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PROGNOSIS

If Weslaco East isn’t careful, the growing pains of changing on offense and defense could spell trouble in the move to a more challenging District 32-6A. But, there’s a reason the Wildcats have been to the playoffs nine straight years.

Projected 2016 Record: 6-5

TENURE

Coach: Mike Burget

Year at school: 4th

Record at school: 25-10

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

WESLACO — A little-used running back on the Weslaco High varsity roster last year, senior AJ Gonzalez entered the Panthers’ first practice this week as the starter under center.

But Gonzalez shrugs off the notion that he’s making any kind of transition. He’s been running the same offense since he was in seventh grade. He may not have been a quarterback last season, but during the four years prior he learned the ins and outs of coach Tony Villarreal’s slot-t offense.

“I’ve done it since middle school,” Gonzalez said. “So yeah, I’m pretty familiar.”

Weslaco gained a district-best 410.3 yards per game last season before graduating its leading passer, top five rushers, top two receivers and the majority of its offensive line. Still, there’s no sense of panic from Gonzalez or his teammates as they look to back up last year’s District 31-6A title with a strong showing during their first season in District 32-6A.

Gonzalez, with many of the same teammates by his side, has won a district title at every level he’s played quarterback — from seventh grade through a junior varsity crown as a sophomore. But with Desi Rodriguez holding down the starting varsity job last season, Gonzalez had to take a secondary role.

“We had a kid who was a four-time district champ, but he had to ride the pine,” Villarreal said. “And this boy can run you over, and run around you, and throw the ball. He’s developed into a heck of a thrower.”

Now entering his 12th season at Weslaco High, Villarreal has learned to stress having an athletic player at quarterback. He’s had time to implement his philosophy all the way down to the middle school levels and find coaches who can teach his system from the start, so players like Gonzalez are prepared when they finally get their varsity chance. Even in Week 1 of practice, players are already correcting Villarreal on calls and alignments.

The Panthers have averaged 33.1 points per game in Villarreal’s 12 seasons, and never less than 21.8 in any given year. His option-run based slot-t offense uses only seven or eight series but requires attention to detail that players hone over years in the system.

“I’ve been doing this since middle school,” tailback Alex Lara said. “The same offense, learning everything. Learning the more advanced plays. It just comes easy to me.”

Lara stands out in the backfield with his 4.48-second speed in the 40-yard dash and his shifty, elusive, running style.

At 4.50, fellow tailback Justin Coronado is just a fraction slower, but brings a similarly crafty, one-cut approach.

“Everybody knows the offense pretty well,” Coronado said. “We were pretty much all here last year. We had a lot of practice last year, and we’ve come together this year.”

DOMINANT DEFENSE

Weslaco High was the best scoring defense in the district last year, yielding just 162 points. The Panthers bring back about seven starters from that group, led by linebacker Jordan Nichols and safety Diego Rodriguez.

“Those guys probably watch more video and they digest the scouting report better than anybody we’ve ever had here,” Villarreal said.

Also key in Weslaco’s 4-2-5, gap-control scheme are defensive end Justice Free, defensive tackles Sam Posada and Brandon Mendez, and linebacker Izaiah Ramos. All four were starters last year.

“We feel great,” Rodriguez said. “We have a lot of experience coming back on the defensive side, and they know how it is playing in big games and tight situations, and they’ll come up big in those situations.”

STAYING HEALTHY

The primary challenge Villarreal faces as he heads into 2016 is finding depth.

“One of the things is quality No. 2s. That’s a big concern,” Villarreal said. “Our No. 1s are as good as anybody. So that’s what our nonconference is for. We’re going to look at those guys heavily. Obviously, we’re real concerned about the injury factor.”

Villarreal chose to schedule tough, welcoming Class 5A Division I state champion Richmond George Ranch in Week 1. Weslaco also faces San Antonio Marshall and Mercedes before opening a grueling District 32-6A slate.

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PROGNOSIS

Weslaco brings back a strong defense and a proven offensive system, but the Panthers will be heavily tested with a brutal non-district slate and a daunting District 32-6A.

Projected 2016 Record: 6-6

TENURE

Coach: Tony Villarreal

Year at school: 12th

Record at school: 83-45

GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER

LA JOYA — Reuben Farias kicked off his first practice as the head football coach at La Joya High on Monday with a simple message.

Having coached the Coyotes receivers and specials teams the past three years, he already knows the ins and outs of the program. He isn’t coming in with intentions of making a complete overhaul, so he’s keeping his instructions uncomplicated as La Joya takes its first steps toward the start of the 2016 season.

“It’s a new year, expectations are high, and each day, improve,” Farias said. “Improve in any way. Learn something, and become a better football player each day.”

That’s not to say Farias doesn’t have his own vision for the program. Coming off a 3-7 season during which an injury-riddled squad lost three consecutive games down the stretch to fall shy of the playoffs, Farias wants the Coyotes to get back to running the ball more on offense.

The teaching approach is slow and straightforward. At Monday’s practice, La Joya focused solely on three plays. Farias said he plans to add one more on Tuesday.

Above all else, Farias’ goal since taking over the position has been to get his players on the same page mentally.

“Whenever we take a break, or when we’re just resting on the sideline, just communicate,” junior quarterback Irving Garcia said.

After the Coyotes offense finished last in District 30-6A in 2015 with 119 points, Garcia expected a change. What he didn’t expect was that former coach George Espinoza would be reassigned.

Although Espinoza finished his four-year tenure 10-31, he led the program to its first playoff appearance since the La Joya ISD split after the 2007 season and helped increase the roster total from 48 before he arrived, to 65, and then to 135.

“I was a little bit surprised,” Garcia said. “Maybe they would change the offense, but I didn’t think they were going to change the coach.”

Senior linebacker Rey Hernandez said he was also caught off guard by the news. When the word first came down, Farias saw that many of the older players were disappointed and upset.

From the start, he advised the group that the only option was to accept the change and move forward. When he was named as the head coach, the continuity within the program made that process easier. Chemistry and communication had already been established on both sides of the ball.

“I liked that. It was someone that we knew,” Hernandez said. “Over the past three years, we got to know who he was, so we were happy that he got the program.”

Farias credited the leadership of Hernandez, Garcia, Tito Delgado and Leo Garza for easing the transition. While the roster numbers are a little low to start, Farias said he is confident the total would increase as more players returned from summer jobs.

His goals for the year are a playoff berth, a 5-5 record, and 21 points per game on offense. The journey to get there, at least on Day 1, was mostly business as usual.

“It’s pretty much the same thing (as last year),” Garcia said. “He’s been my coach already. I already have experience with him. It’s not a new thing. It’s pretty much the same as last year, just a little bit harder. And get better every day.”

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