SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — PSJA High’s Rigo Orta, Joe Garza and A.J. Gomez have lined up to play defense together hundreds of times, during practices, games, or on their own after practice is done.
They are seniors and they form the core of the Bears’ unit, sharing a strong bond after playing together as three-year lettermen.
The wins are great, but the losses are what they have to endure and work through. It’s not easy, but it’s what brings them
together.
“We are more like family,” Gomez said. “We talk. We are just good together.”
Orta and Garza are defensive backs and Gomez an outside linebacker. The group grew together within the program. They developed communication on the field and friendship off it.
The trio stifles an offense’s passing game. This year, they have done it better than almost any other team. PSJA High (2-4, 0-3 District 31-6A) has allowed the second-fewest passing yards in 31-6A at 359 through six games. That number also represents the second-fewest passing yards allowed in the Rio Grande Valley.
“We really haven’t been exploited by teams that throw the football because our secondary is very experienced,” PSJA High coach Steve Marroquin said. “Rigo and Joe, those two guys solidify the back end of the defense. They both may not be the strongest, the tallest or the fastest, but, man, they play with a big heart.”
The seniors are an important part of the makeup of the team because there are so few. Only six start. Younger players had to step up into bigger roles. Those younger players rely on the seniors to be leaders.
Gomez, Orta and Garza bring a consistency upon which their teammates rely. Each has started every game this year.
When Marroquin brought on Roy Peña as defensive coordinator this summer, he knew the trio would ease the transition. They have adapted to his new schemes.
“Coach Peña’s game plan always puts us in a better position,” Garza said. “He always puts us where the ball is going to be. He prepares us mentally and physically.”
Gomez added: “It is a much better defense this year.”
Off the field, the unity within the trio translates to unity on the entire team.
“We hang out, here at the high school,” Orta said. “We practice together after school. We do all this other stuff. And there is less individualism on the team. We are a lot closer together as a unit.”
Marroquin notices the camaraderie.
“(It brings) communication, believing that the brother next to you is going to be there, giving it everything they’ve got,” Marroquin added. “They feel that way about one another, and they feel that way about their teammates. They really want to win. They are pushing themselves. They are pushing their teammates. Good things are going to happen for us. We just have to push through.”
The Bears face an uphill battle the rest of the way, however. They have to win out and will likely need help from others to get into the postseason.
A crucial step is Thursday against an Edinburg High team ahead of them in the standings. The Bears host the Bobcats (3-3, 2-1) at 7 at PSJA Stadium.
“We need to find a way to push through,” Marroquin said. “There is still hope. We keep telling these guys, ‘it’s not over yet.’ We have four games to go. Anything can happen in those four games. But, we have to start with Edinburg High.”
And the seniors are ready for the task at hand.
“They are just another team,” Gomez said. “I don’t see them as (anything) else. Just a team we can compete against.”