By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
RIO HONDO — With the first day of two-a-days in the books head coach Rocky James began Tuesday’s practice with the same level of excitement and optimism as he’s had heading into his eighth season at Rio Hondo.
As Coach James pointed out the number of players in practice was up and most of the defense that led the district in fewest yards allowed last year was back.
“I have a lot of kids out here and before it’s all said and done I’ll have around 150 kids (freshman-varsity) and those are huge numbers for a 4A school and those are the biggest numbers I’ve ever had,” said Coach James. “During the summer programs I was averaging 100 kids a day and those were big numbers for us. In the years previous I probably had 40 kids come out and this year I had 100 kids or more, so we knew right off the bat that the energy was going to be there and the enthusiasm for this was going to be here for this.”
After last years successful campaign in which the Bobcats went 8-3 (4-1 District)and led District 16-4A Division II in defense Coach James and the team expect another stellar defensive display.
“The attitude around camp has been great,” said Coach James. “I know it’s easy to have high energy and high expectations coming off of a really good season last year and these kids have it. The 19 incoming seniors have brought some leadership and energy; and I’m very excited about the year.”
“We’ve had a lot guys out here that are working hard getting stronger and faster,” added senior Daniel Flores. “We’re all pumped and ready to go. I know we will be ready to go strong for 10 games before making a run at the playoffs.
“Last year we were really disappointed that our playoffs ended too early and (this year) we are really going to try and win district.
Last season Rio Hondo’s only loss came at the hands of eventual District Champion Orange Grove whom managed to escape Bobcat Stadium with a 21-18 victory.
Defensively the Bobcats look as solid as last year. Daniel Flores and Ethen James will anchor the middle while two of his defensive ends that made the All-State team last year (Albert Magallanes and Isaiah Heredia) will strengthen in the front.
However, if there was any sign of worry from the team it might be on the offensive side of the ball. The Bobcats lost a slew of seniors that played vital roles on the team such as quarterback Eli Pitones and running back Marco Garate who combined for 1,624 total rushing yards.
This year senior Alan Alfaro was set to step in and fill the void left by Garate, however after playing in Australia’s Down Under Bowl, over the summer, Alfaro suffered what could be a season ending injury to his foot, throwing the position wide open.
Alfaro sustained a Lisfranc fracture that could take up to 10 weeks to heal.
“Him getting hurt is really a tough blow to him, his family and of course his team,” said James. We were expecting great things from him and he was expecting great things. He’s been around this program forever him and my kids grew up together here the locker room since the young age of about 7 or 8, so him getting hurt is tough.
On the offensive line Coach James will be counting on Ty Vasquez and Abram Ramirez to shore up the line after the departure of John Reyes and Armando Ruvio.
The Bobcats will play their first scrimmage at St. Joseph Academy on August 15.