BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

EDINBURG — After the 2017 football season, Edinburg North experienced a mass exodus.

Players transferred out, and the school got a new coach in Damian Gonzalez.

Two of the primary ballhandlers last year, the starting quarterback and running back, both left.

The Cougars have moved on, and spring has been the time to get comfortable with what they have and learn how to best utilize those players.

“If they don’t want to be here, this train is going to roll,” senior lineman Joshua Guerrero said. “We have to go. If they don’t want to come, we don’t need them. We are going to start rolling soon.”

Things are already rolling for the offensive line. Gonzalez was a line coach at North before becoming an offensive coordinator under current ECISD athletic director Roy Garza.

“Our strength on our O-line is our experience,” Gonzalez said. “Josh Guerrero, he’s going to be a three-year starter. He’s the guy up front, and everything revolves around him. The other gentleman we have is Luz Ramos. They are both big and strong, and they have both done a great job this offseason improving their footwork, and they have gotten a heck of a lot better.”

The message to the line coming into the new regime was get faster and be more agile.

Guerrero said that improvement starts with ladder drills every day, and then the group transitions to using the sleds and the parachute.

“A lot of us have lost a lot of weight already,” Guerrero said. “We are shedding some pounds and getting a lot faster on our feet.”

The difference is already showing in their competitiveness in practice.

“I have seen a lot of improvement,” senior defensive lineman Humberto Martinez said. “They have gotten a lot better. They have actually been good competition for us this year, and they are getting better every day.”

Though the Cougars lost some starters on the line to graduation, many of the backups who will be promoted to starters next year already gained experience last season due to injuries. They expect to only get better under the new system.

“Fernie de la Garza is doing a great job for us up front at the center position,” Gonzalez said. “Jonathan Longoria played a lot last year out of necessity, because we had a lot of guys hurt, but he got a lot of playing time as a junior. We have a good group of linemen. And Marcus Rodriguez, he’s probably the nastiest out of the group. He’s got a little mean streak in him. He’s going to take it to you every play. We have a little bit of everything on the line. And one thing I really like is because they spend so much time together, they are really working as a unit. As an offensive line, that is huge.”

THIRD TO FIRST

Junior Max Aguilar opened last season as Edinburg North’s third quarterback. Injuries ravaged the position, and he ended up being the player with the most snaps under center by the end of the year.

All of the players he was competing with for playing time at the quarterback position have now left, and the job is Aguilar’s to lose.

“He actually played most of the season,” Gonzalez said. “We are comfortable with him. He won some big games for us and led us to the playoffs.”

Some youngsters are competing for the backup spot, including Robert Gonzalez and Michael Rodriguez. But Aguilar will be the one with the chance to run the offense to begin the season.

“His arm is tremendous,” Gonzalez said. “He has a strong arm, and his accuracy is great. Coach (Max) Habecker is doing some things with him. Coach (Marty) Hammond is working with him. The arm is strong, and that opens it up for our receivers.”

Aguilar is embracing the challenge and excited to continue working to be ready for the beginning of the year.

“My aim this offseason is to get better with this offense, and getting the timing down,” Aguilar said. “Hopefully everything will pick up quick.”

COUGARS DEFENSE

George Espinoza comes over as the new defensive coordinator for the Cougars.

He brings with him a new system and a new swagger.

“Coach Espinoza, he is a Mario Pena disciple,” Gonzalez said. “He learned the stack from him, and he’s obviously tweaked it throughout the years. He’s put his own stamp on it. It’s more of a reaction defense. We are not going to sit and wait. If we see something, we react to it and force you to do something. We are very athletic on the defensive side. A little young, but very athletic.”

The players are excited to add some speed and intensity to the defense.

“I expect us to be quick,” junior defensive back Carlos Coronado said. “As soon as the ball is thrown, we have to get there. I want five or 10 guys going to the ball.”

The defense was tasked with a lot last year. The merry-go-round at quarterback made it difficult for the offense to get rolling.

“The injuries put a lot of pressure on the defense, because we had to be on the field for the majority of the time,” Martinez said. “That got us tired, which gave the other team more opportunities to take advantage of our mistakes.”

With all of the bad luck last year and the struggles the team went through, the players were hesitant to trust the new coaching staff.

“When they first came, I thought it could be bad, but it has actually turned out really well,” Martinez said. “I am very proud of the effort our guys are bringing every day. We are getting a lot closer, and we are playing together better.”

[email protected]

EDINBURG NORTH

Returning starters O/D: 5/4

Returning lettermen: 27

Key Players: QB Max Aguilar, WR Roel de Leon, DB Carlos Coronado, OL Joshua Guerrero, OL Luz Ramos, DL Humberto Martinez

Coach: Damian Gonzalez, first year

2017 Record: 5-6

This story has been edited to reflect that North offensive lineman is named Luz Ramos.

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

ROMA — Last year, Laredo Alexander’s Paco Hernandez watched his team get eliminated by McAllen High.

This year, Hernandez was the difference in the rematch, smoking a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead Alexander to a 2-1 win and a trip to the fourth round of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

The only time Alexander has fallen short of the fourth round in the last five seasons was last year, when McHi eliminated them.

“It was amazing,” Hernandez said of Saturday’s win. “I sent my seniors to the fourth round. They have been asking for it since the beginning of the postseason.

“I wanted to get revenge from last year. I knew I had to show up today, and I did.”

McAllen High took Game 2 on Saturday 11-0 to force the deciding Game 3. But the McHi bats went cold at the beginning of Game 3, stranding junior center fielder Rigo Moreno after a double to start the game. McHi never recaptured the spark from Game 2, and Alexander took Game 3 to end McHi’s season (30-5-1, 12-0).

Hernandez didn’t just deliver the winning hit — he also got the start on the mound.

“He’s an incredible sophomore for us,” Alexander coach Fernando Lemus said. “It had actually been eight weeks since his last start. He’s been in my ear wanting to start. I told him, ‘Game 3, with the season on the line, at one point or another, we will turn to you.’ Today, he rose to the occasion.”

Hernandez went seven innings, allowing five hits and one run while striking out two.

McHi’s lone run in Game 3 came on a solo shot from Moreno.

“We just couldn’t get those key hits with men on base,” McHi coach Eliseo Pompa said. “I think we had men on base in almost every inning. If we can’t put the ball in play, we aren’t going to score any runs. They are a good defensive ball club. They are not going to make too many errors.”

Senior Robbie Maldonado started for McHi in Game 3. He has been limited all year with a shoulder injury, but he fought through the pain to give the team everything he had left in the final game of his McHi career. He went five innings, allowing three hits and striking out five.

Maldonado pitched himself into some early jams, but he found a way out unscathed.

In the first, Maldonado faced a bases-loaded situation with one out, but he worked the count full before delivering a two-seamer outside that fanned the Alexander hitter. Against the next batter, Maldonado repeated the same process for back-to-back punch-outs to end the inning.

In the second, the situation was similar: bases loaded with one out. This time, sophomore right fielder Jacob Vela provided the wizardry, tracking down a pop-up and positioning his body so he could throw the ball home as quickly as possible. His throw beat the Alexander runner and ended the inning.

McHi has utilized a variety of freshmen and sophomores this year and is set to return a talented core next season.

“I think the experience is always valuable,” Pompa said. “We return a lot of good kids back, but we also lose a lot of really good seniors. They are going to be hard to replace.”

On Saturday, freshman Chris Bernal Jr. caught the most important inning of McHi’s season. In Game 2, sophomore Hector Garcia blasted a solo shot. Sophomore Aaron Nixon contributed with his bat and his arm in Game 2. Nixon pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out 11 while scattering four hits.

“This team is going to be really good next year,” Maldonado said. “They got a lot of experience this year, and they should do well.”

“We are ready for next year,” Hector Garcia said. “We are really going to miss the seniors. But, we will be back next year, and we will be ready for whatever happens.”

[email protected]

VALLEY HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Regional quarterfinals

Thursday, May 17

Class 6A

Los Fresnos 5, Edinburg Vela 4

Friday, May 18

Class 6A

Laredo Alexander 3, McAllen High 1

Edinburg Vela 12, Los Fresnos 7

Saturday, May 19

Class 6A

McAllen High 11, Laredo Alexander 0

Laredo Alexander 2, McAllen High 1, Laredo Alexander won series 2-1

Edinburg Vela 4, Los Fresnos 3, Edinburg Vela won series 2-1

VALLEY HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Regional quarterfinals

Thursday, May 17

Class 6A

Los Fresnos 5, Edinburg Vela 4, Los Fresnos leads series 1-0

Friday, May 18

Class 6A

Laredo Alexander 3, McAllen High 1, Laredo Alexander leads series 1-0

Edinburg Vela 12, Los Fresnos 7, series tied 1-1

Saturday, May 19

Class 6A

McAllen High vs. Laredo Alexander at Roma, noon (Game 3 will be 30 minutes later, if necessary)

Edinburg Vela vs. Los Fresnos at PSJA High, 2 pm.

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

ROMA — Last year, McAllen High dispatched of Laredo Alexander with relative ease in the third round of the playoffs. McHi won 6-1 in Game 1 before putting the series to bed with a 13-1 win in Game 2.

Friday’s starting pitcher for Alexander, senior Marcelo Perez, doesn’t remember a thing from that series.

“Nothing. What’s in the past is in the past,” Perez said. “It would be nice to get some revenge.”

Perez did his part, taking the bump in Game 1 and pitching a gem. Perez’s complete game was on track to be a no-hitter through five innings.

“This start was unbelievable,” Alexander coach Fernando Lemus said. “(Perez) has been one of our workhorses all year. We expect nothing less from him.”

In the end, he gave up two hits, allowing one run to cross while striking out nine. Perez’s stellar night led Alexander to a 3-1 win in Game 1 of a best-of-three regional quarterfinal series.

“We ran into a pitcher who was on tonight,” McHi coach Eliseo Pompa said. “At the same time, we made a lot of mistakes that we shouldn’t make.”

“He is a hell of a pitcher,” McAllen High senior starter Abanny Garcia said. “He’s a TCU commit. He pounds the strike zone with 92-94 (mph). He’s a great competitor.”

Marcelo came close to completing the no-hitter, but McHi sophomore shortstop Aaron Nixon led off the sixth with a bloop single that fell just in front of the Alexander right fielder, Paco Hernandez. Bulldogs senior center fielder Robbie Maldonado rewarded Nixon by hitting a double that allowed Nixon to score standing up.

“It was big for the momentum,” Garcia said. “We didn’t want that no-hitter, and then to get the run, too, that was big heading into tomorrow.”

Laredo jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second after a peculiar circumstance. Alexander designated hitter Andres Santos hit a tall pop fly that was coming down just behind the pitcher’s mound on the first-base side. Pompa said McHi instructs its pitchers to avoid pop-ups like that, so Garcia vacated the area. But Garcia had the best line on the ball, and no one else from McHi was able to get to the ball in time, so it dropped in for a hit with two outs in the inning. Things started to snowball from there, as Alexander sandwiched two singles around a walk, with the second single coming from shortstop Joel Hinojosa. Hinojosa’s rope drove in two runs.

“I try not to think about the errors, but unfortunately, these errors caused runs,” Garcia said. “I could have caught that ball, especially with the wind pushing in. I saw the ball clearly go to the second basemen, and then it just kept pushing, pushing, pushing toward me.”

Perez drove in Alexander’s third run on a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Garcia allowed three runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts.

“Abanny pitched a heck of a ballgame,” Pompa said. “We just have to do a better job of playing defense behind him.”

Losing Game 1 was disheartening for McHi, but the Bulldogs know the series is far from over, and Garcia believes counting McHi out would be premature.

“They can’t contain our offense all three games,” Garcia said. “We are looking forward to coming back and getting our bats going.”

[email protected]

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — McAllen High senior catcher Nate Quintanilla remembers long car rides with his family to play in baseball tournaments.

He reflects fondly on one such journey that took the family all the way to South Carolina.

As they entered each new state, the family stopped for a group photo, marking the latest chapter in their voyage.

“We took a lot of pictures, and we got some souvenirs,” Quintanilla said. “We had so much fun and made good memories.”

Quintanilla is used to hearing his parents’ encouragement on the field.

“My mom used to come to our practices,” Quintanilla said. “She would be there for two hours in the heat, with only an umbrella to protect her from the sun.”

“When I am on the field, I can hear my parents,” he added. “Sometimes, in the on-deck circle, I will nod to let them know I hear what they are saying.”

On Saturday, in a win-or-go-home Game 3 against PSJA High, Quintanilla was the one called upon to change the course of McAllen High baseball history. With his family in the stands supporting him, Quintanilla blasted two home runs before finishing the game on the mound to almost single-handedly lift the Bulldogs to the third round.

“It was amazing to see,” junior outfielder Rigo Moreno said. “He did great. He really is a leader for this team.”

Quintanilla’s elimination-game heroics lifted McHi to the third round, where the team will meet Laredo Alexander in a regional quarterfinal series that begins at 7 tonight in Roma. Alexander and McHi met in the same round last season.

“If I’m not mistaken, I think they have just about everybody back from last year,” McHi coach Eliseo Pompa said. “They are a very good ballclub. They are very well-coached. We just have to be ready for them.”

“We are very excited to play Alexander,” Moreno said. “It has become a rivalry. We are just going to go out there and have fun.”

This postseason has been special for Quintanilla for a variety of reasons, but one that has been a huge boost has been the presence of his brother Roy. Roy Quintanilla was the starting shortstop for the Bulldogs last year, and he has since gone on to play for Huston-Tillotson.

As Roy’s college season wrapped up, Nate’s postseason was just getting started, so Roy has been able to attend many of the Bulldogs playoff games.

“It was so great to have him there,” Nate said. “It was emotional to see him after the game. It was a good moment.”

Because of the distance and circumstances, the Quintanilla brothers have not had much time to relax and play a game of catch together.

“It’s been a while,” Nate said. “We used to play catch, or I would catch a bullpen for him, and then he would catch a bullpen for me. Sometimes, we would hit off of the tee. We would play basketball, too. … We need to get that going again now that he is back from college for the summer.”

One game will not define Nate’s career. His work handling the pitching staff alone could be the highlight of any respectable run.

He’s also been McHi’s cleanup hitter all year.

Quintanilla has never been one for the spotlight. He has one of the most reserved walk-up songs on the team. He is slightly soft-spoken. But he is also becoming a star for the Bulldogs through his play on the field.

“The performance that Nate had in the third game was incredible,” Pompa said. “He has been doing that all year for us. He knows how to come through in the big moments.”

Wearing the catcher’s mask can lead to some added anonymity. But his countless hours perfecting his pitch blocking has probably saved the Bulldogs a whole season’s worth of runs. His pitch framing also steals strikes on a regular basis. Even a minor detail, like a throw behind a runner at first after a pitch, known as a back pick, is effective.

“He’s really good at back picking to first,” freshman catcher and third baseman Chris Bernal said. “He’s smart behind the plate. He does it at just the right time. If he gets an outside pitch, he is always checking to see if that lead got just a bit too big, so he can nab the runner.”

Nate Quintanilla bonded with Bernal early, and the two share tips of the trade.

“We have gotten real close,” Nate Quintanilla said. “He’s been doing really good, and I just try to help him as much as I can.”

Heading into Friday’s game, Quintanilla isn’t worried about his stats or hot hand. He just wants to secure the win.

“I’m working on staying back on the ball and driving the ball,” Nate Quintanilla said. “We are getting ready for what they have, and we want to keep playing.”

[email protected]

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

SAN JUAN — The turnaround that coach Lupe Rodriguez has led at PSJA High has been sharper than the cuts that sophomore wide receiver Marco Guajardo makes in the open field.

Two years ago, the Bears went 3-7 overall and 1-6 in district.

Last year, they went 8-3 overall and 5-2 in District 31-6A.

The team reached heights it hadn’t been to in years, playing in an all-or-nothing game against Edinburg Vela for the district title before qualifying for the playoffs and facing one of the Valley’s best in Weslaco East.

“We emphasize a lot, that we were never going to make excuses for being a first time staff here,” Rodriguez said. “We set a lot of goals, and we set them high. Not having been in that magnitude of a game, playing against Vela, playing for the district championship and the big crowd like that, hopefully we learn from that. That is why I scheduled tough teams in the preseason. So whenever we get to that point again, which I know we will, I’m hoping we will be ready.”

The Bears will scrimmage Vela before facing Flour Bluff, Harlingen South and San Benito in the non-district season next year.

One of the biggest determining factors for the Bears will be how they fill the shoes left behind at receiver. Seniors Nathan Sanchez, Nathaniel Miranda and Joachim Almaguer are all set to graduate this spring, and they were the team’s top three receivers.

The Bears’ next leading receiver will get the first crack at replacing that production.

“Marco (Guajardo) is definitely going to be one of the go-to guys,” Rodriguez said. “He will have to take the place of one of our leaders, Nate Sanchez, who graduated. He was our leading receiver this past year. He will be missed. But, I am looking forward to him, along with Miguel Flores, who is also a deep threat. Those two guys were part of the district champion, area champion relay team in the 200-meter relay. We definitely have a lot of speed out there that we want to utilize.”

Marco Guajardo hauled in 27 passes last year for 421 yards. Much of last year’s work was on deep balls, as he averaged 15.6 yards per reception.

“I think this will be the year I become the go-to receiver,” Marco Guajardo said. “That is what I want to happen. If we can get it right, we can be in sync and (junior quarterback Trey Guajardo) can have confidence in me every time he throws it. That is what I am trying to get to.”

The chemistry between Marco Guajardo and Trey Guajardo already exists. The cousins first played football together in fifth grade on Team Clutch in a city league. During their first year together, they won the league‘s Super Bowl.

They grew up together, and Marco’s father is the coach of the Bears’ baseball team, which Trey also plays for.

Marco Guajardo won’t be alone out there. Flores and Ethan Castillo are both coming back and should be key pieces to the offense. JR Vasquez will also be returning in the backfield, where he is just as much a threat to catch the ball as he is to run it through the defense.

“Marco is doing a good job of taking leadership of the receivers,” Trey Guajardo said. “I am there to back him up.”

Trey Guajardo wants to focus on taking charge for next year.

“I am looking to be more of a leader,” Trey Guajardo said. “Last year, I tried doing that, but I think this year if I can step it up, it will really help the team.”

The Bears continued climb toward the top of the Valley under Rodriguez will likely continue if Trey and Marco can connect when the team needs a reception.

“We just need to work on knowing our roles and trusting each other,” Marco Guajardo said. “We need to get to the point where he can throw the ball to me even if there are defenders around, because he knows he can make the throw where only I can catch it, and because we both know I will catch it. It is all about having that trust when it matters most.”

BEARLY BOTHERED

The loss of senior Orlando Huerta will certainly sting. He ranked second on the team in tackles, was a catalyst for turnovers and was the heart and soul of the defense. But the Bears can take solace in returning elite production on the defensive side.

Sophomore Jacob Sanchez highlights the group of returning defenders. Sanchez has grown up in the middle of the Bears defense as the middle linebacker and play-caller.

“The leadership that he brings is crucial,” Rodriguez said. “He was our leading tackler last year. He has come a long way. His work habits — that is another baseball player who is definitely looking to go to the next level, whether it is baseball or football. He has the team on defense jelling together.”

Junior linebacker Marcos Pedraza is also a key returner on the Bears defense.

“Marcos is always working hard,” Sanchez said. “He doesn’t miss a rep. He is always on us. He won’t let anything happen to his senior season.”

With juniors Andrew Liszt in the secondary and JJ Barrientes on the line ready to lead their respective groups, the tools are in place to keep the Bears’ opponents in bad field position all game.

GRIN AND BEAR IT

The Bears didn’t come away from spring ball completely unscathed, and the lone injury could be a big one.

PSJA’s third-leading rusher from last year, sophomore JR Vasquez, suffered a broken collarbone during the spring.

“He was one of our rotating backs last year, along with Christian (Rivera),” Rodriguez said. “He was doing well. He has come a long way, so unfortunately, he ended up getting injured, but hopefully we can get him back in time for the season.”

Vasquez will be pivotal to what the Bears want to do in Year Two under Rodriguez.

“We are hoping to add some new wrinkles, now that the kids have a year under their belt with our system,” Rodriguez said. “Being able to throw in some more things, and work a little bit more on our run plays. That is one of the things that we didn’t do well enough last year, and that we want to be able to do more: run plays with JR Vasquez. And just throw in some new surprises for next year.”

The initial prognosis is four to six weeks for Vasquez, which will likely keep him out of the 7-on-7 season but should have him ready for Game 1.

[email protected]

PSJA HIGH

Returning starters (O/D): 5/6

Returning lettermen: 14

Key Players: QB Trey Guajardo, WR Marco Guajardo, MLB Jacob Sanchez, LB Marcos Pedraza, DB Andrew Liszt, RB JR Vasquez.

Coach: Lupe Rodriguez, second year

2017 Record: 8-3, 5-2

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — PSJA Southwest junior Jalen Galvan has been playing football since he was in second grade, and over the years he has played several positions.

His mainstay was always wide receiver, but he also played running back, linebacker, safety and corner.

So when he was approached about playing quarterback, the answer was simple.

“I was happy to do it,” Galvan said. “I have moved around a lot, and I know what it takes to pick up a new position.”

Galvan is in competition for the starting quarterback job for the Javelinas this spring, battling with sophomore Rogelio Reyes.

“Rogelio Reyes finished last season as our quarterback,” Southwest coach Mike Evans said. “Rogelio has played QB a lot longer, so he definitely has an edge in the passing game. Jalen is a little bit quicker, and he is more fluid with the mechanics of option football. He’s a better runner and option runner.”

New co-offensive coordinator Johnny Galvan, Jalen’s father, brought in a new offense that is expected to feature a lot more spread sets and a quicker tempo than the Javelinas used last year.

“We hope to have an exciting offense this year that scores more points,” Evans said. “That was definitely our weakness last year, so we made some changes to our system, and I think it will be beneficial for our athletes.”

As a receiver last year, Galvan was a welcoming face for junior newcomer Nicolas Nicanor, who transferred from PSJA North last summer. When Nicanor arrived at Southwest, Galvan was one of the first people he met.

“We clicked right away,” Nicanor said. “I was helping him, and he was helping me. I helped him learn the playbook, and he showed me how to get faster and better at running routes.”

The two still push each other, and they have spent all offseason dreaming of what they can do together with a new offense in a new district against new opponents.

“We have a great relationship,” Galvan said. “I think with a good summer, we can both get to where we want to be and have some fun next year.”

The spread option that the Javelinas will be employing should also benefit junior running back Bryan Acosta.

“We are also really close,” Galvan said of he and Acosta. “Those exchanges are already really clean, and we work really well together in the backfield.”

Even the offensive linemen can’t wait to see the new system in action.

“I like the new offense,” junior lineman Diego Treviño said. “We get to hit head-up a lot more. We don’t have to worry about staying in our zone. … I think it is a lot easier for the O-line, because now we are sure of who our man is.”

Treviño said he is also really excited about who could be lining up behind him.

“(Galvan) has improved a lot,” Treviño said. “He is the captain of this team, for sure, and he motivates all of us. He is one of the shortest guys on the team, but he has the biggest heart.”

HARD HITS

The Southwest defense became a strength toward the end of last year, as the Javelinas held all but one of their final four opponents under 30 points. PSJA Memorial scored 31 in Southwest’s final game.

The defensive improvement came despite an offense that mustered just 24 points during the final four games.

“We grew up a lot,” Evans said. “We were competitive in a lot of games. The kids got a good feel for the defense. We played well on that side toward the end.”

Spring ball has been the time to add a few more wrinkles to Evans’ defense, and the group is looking stingier than ever.

“They are very tough,” Nicanor said. “It’s a battle every day.”

SISTERLY LOVE

With new districts going into effect next season, the Javelinas lose two sister schools as district opponents in PSJA North and PSJA High, but they maintain PSJA Memorial.

The change may just heat up an existing rivalry and add real stakes to the schools’ district matchup.

“We are excited,” sophomore safety Chris Sanchez said. “We can’t wait to play (Memorial) again after losing to them.”

“It should be a great game,” Nicanor said. “We are glad to have them still in our district, so we can go head-to-head.”

[email protected]

PSJA SOUTHWEST

Returning starters (O/D): 3/5

Returning lettermen: 17

Key Players: DL Victor Rodriguez, DL Tereso Barcenas, RB Bryan Acosta, QB Jalen Galvan

Coach: Mike Evans, second year

2017 Record: 0-10, 0-7

VALLEY HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Regional quarterfinals

Thursday’s Game

Class 6A

Los Fresnos 5, Edinburg Vela 4, Los Fresnos leads series 1-0

Friday’s Games

Class 6A

McAllen High vs. Laredo Alexander at Roma, 7 p.m.

Edinburg Vela at Los Fresnos, 7 pm.

Saturday’s Games

Class 6A

McAllen High vs. Laredo Alexander at Roma, noon (Game 3 will be 30 minutes later, if necessary)

Edinburg Vela vs. Los Fresnos at PSJA High, 2 pm.

BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — Sophomore Izaiah Rangel blew into PSJA North like a breath of fresh air.

“He can play multiple positions, but right now he is going straight quarterback,” PSJA North coach Marcus Kaufmann said. “He’s learning the offense and learning the system. And he is doing such a good job of that, that he will probably be the quarterback.”

Rangel transferred to PSJA North from Edinburg North shortly after the basketball season this year. PSJA North senior quarterback Randy Reyna will be graduating this spring, leaving an opening for the 2018 team.

“Originally, we were thinking we might do (junior) Arturo (Beltran) at quarterback and Izaiah at wide receiver,” Kaufmann said, “but now it’s looking more like Arturo will be playing running back and receiver, and Izaiah will be the quarterback. He is doing a great job of handling the offense and taking the leadership role. He’s pretty much running everything right now, and the kids are taking a liking to him. It’s crazy how much of a leader he has become in such a short amount of time.”

Rangel’s father recently took a coaching job at PSJA North, which prompted Rangel’s move. Rangel’s father is a freshman coach for the Raiders, but he also works with the varsity receivers.

At Edinburg North, Rangel played receiver for much of his career but slotted into the starting quarterback role last season after the Cougars suffered injuries at the position. He completed 34 of 62 passes for a 54.8 completion percentage, and he threw for 319 yards. He also rushed for 309 yards and four touchdowns.

“He has been even better than we expected,” Kaufmann said. “I think he even surprised himself with some of the things he is capable of. He has the potential to be really good next year. And he can see that, too, which is why he is working so hard here.”

Rangel isn’t the only new addition to the Raiders’ offense. They also added an offensive coordinator in Jeff LeFevre, who came over from Weslaco East.

“He won 80-something games at Ben Bolt,” Kaufmann said. “He was at Los Fresnos, and then his son was the quarterback at Weslaco East. So he has a whole lot of head coaching experience and a lot of spread passing game, but also a lot of run out of the spread. So he is here for that, and then we have the power run game covered on our end.”

Rangel said he has picked up the new system well, and he is excited to let some deep balls fly.

“That’s all I do really, throw it up there and let those guys go get it,” Rangel said. “I trust my arm, and I trust my receivers to be able to go get it, like DeSean Jackson.”

Rangel has gotten close to his skill position players quickly. Beltran was one of the first people to welcome Rangel to the Raiders, and they clicked right away.

“(Rangel) has become one of my best friends,” Beltran said. “He was my enemy last year, but this year, I am glad that he is on our side. Me and him are really learning together from our new coaches.”

“Yeah, we bonded right away,” Rangel said. “We were in the locker room, and he just came over to say hi, and I already knew. I could tell he is a goofy guy.”

Because Rangel is a former receiver, he said he has always had a close bond with his receivers. Sophomore John Garza, who moved over after playing in the defensive secondary last year, was one of the receivers who clicked with Rangel right away. Nathan Salinas is another weapon Rangel can’t wait deploy on opposing defenses. Salinas is a pole vaulter who brings the athleticism of a track star to the perimeter game of the offense. Kaufmann described Salinas as a “great athlete” who has come in with a refreshing work ethic.

The Raiders will certainly still be willing to pound opposing defensive lines with their patented power run game, but with all of the new tools in place, the offense could start to move at a quicker pace at times, as well.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Junior middle linebacker Ryan Reyna is ready to be the heart and soul of the defense in his senior year. Reyna, who is the younger brother of Randy Reyna, has been a leader on the defense over the last few years. But in his senior season, and with the trust of his teammates, he believes he can take that to the next level.

“That is my goal for this year, to lead the team and help the brothers beside me and make sure we are doing it right,” he said.

Kaufmann has been lauding the importance of Reyna’s leadership all offseason.

“He’s pretty much going to be the glue on that defense,” Kaufmann said. “He’s running the show and making the calls up front.”

One key for Reyna is making sure the younger players understand the Raiders identity that has been in place for generations. That includes the new signal-caller.

“We try to welcome our newcomers with our black shirts, our hitting and our tackling,” Reyna said. “We are aggressive, and we don’t apologize for it. We have to make it known to everybody. And he has done a good job, so he will be a big part of this team, but we had to make sure he understood what Raider football was all about.”

“This defense is crazy,” Rangel said. “They hit hard every single time. They never let up. I can’t wait to see them play in a game. … They did welcome me to the team. I had a bunch of bruises after my first few days.”

The brain trust behind the Raiders’ defense often links up online to play Fortnite, a popular video game that allows players to combine into teams of four. Reyna joins sophomore safety Seven Sanchez, who calls the plays in the secondary, and junior defensive back Marco Salinas. Many other Raiders have played as their fourth, including Rangel.

“We play like every night,” Reyna said with a laugh. “We talk about the team on there, too. We will watch our film, and then we will get on there and talk about what we saw and how to make adjustments.”

Rangel said when he joins in, he tends to stick to trash talk, since the competition between offense and defense doesn’t end until they get to hit other teams again.

ENDING THE CURSE

Kaufmann jokes that the Raiders are cursed. The injuries over the past two seasons have reached astonishing totals.

Last year, the Raiders felt that their front seven was the strength of their defense. Then, after two games, three of their defensive linemen were lost to injury.

“That curse that someone put on me, I think it will only last two years,” Kaufmann said. “Somebody did something. I have never had this many injuries. That first year I was like, ‘Wow.’ But then the next year, it was less, but it was still a ton.”

On the offensive line, four of the five missed time with injury last year. What that means now, though, is that the Raiders have eight linemen with game experience.

“We are returning starters that only got to start half the games, and then we have the kids who stepped in returning, and they also got to play half the games,” Kaufmann said. “It’s a pretty good situation to be in. I think all of the troubles from last year are going to pay off this year, because of all the kids getting all of that experience. We were in a lot of close ball games. We were within a touchdown in the fourth quarter of pretty much every game except Vela.”

Combined with Rangel and the new pieces Kaufmann has added on the coaching staff, that notion gives the Raiders optimism for the 2018 season.

“We have the parts now,” Kaufmann said. “Now it is up to us to put them in the right places and let them be successful. … All of those guys have a ton of experience. And then the guys behind them, they are guys that played last year as well.

“If we can avoid many of those injuries — which I think we will, we have put in a lot of work this offseason to be ready — I think we will be able to compete with anyone in the district.”

[email protected]

PSJA NORTH
Returning starters (O/D): 8/7
Returning lettermen: 35
Key Players: QB Izaiah Rangel, RB/WR/ATH Arturo Beltran, MLB Ryan Reyna, S Seven Sanchez, DL Albert Elizondo, DB Marco Salinas, WR Nathan Salinas
Coach: Marcus Kaufmann, 3rd year at school
2017 Record: 2-8, 2-5