By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
ALAMO — The missed opportunities from the 2015 season are still vivid in Mike Uribe’s mind.
In his first year as coach at PSJA Memorial, Uribe endured a 2-7 campaign, including an 0-6 run in District 31-6A, but the thought of a dropped two-point conversion against PSJA North, a fumble on the six-yard line against Edinburg Economedes or racking up 13 turnovers in the final two games of the regular season still comes to mind from time to time.
“We had games where we had an opportunity (down the stretch) and didn’t finish,” Uribe said. “Obviously we’re going to be young, but we have to take advantage of opportunities when they come up. We can’t hurt ourselves or beat ourselves.”
That task will be just as daunting this year for PSJA Memorial, which graduated more than 20 players, many of those in key positions. But Uribe maintains that he will hold his largely inexperienced group, with only 12 returning lettermen, to the same standard.
As his first year was spent assembling a coaching staff and planting the seeds for what he hoped his vision would become, Uribe said this season is more about reinforcing what the program stands for — accountability, discipline, mental toughness — while working to create a family atmosphere and pride among the group.
With only three returning starters on each side of the ball, the Wolverines have had to audition sophomores for the quarterback, running back, slot receiver, offensive guard, safety and linebacker roles, many of those who played on the freshman or JV teams last year.
Orlando Muñoz, who played on the JV squad last year, is expected to start at quarterback now, replacing Michael Gonzalez, a three-year starter and the district leader in passing yards (2,168) in 2015. Gonzalez threw for 16 touchdowns and completed 57 percent of his attempts. He also had three of the top five receivers in district last year.
With all those players gone, Muñoz faces a tall order trying to carry on their aerial attack. Though the Wolverines had a middling offense overall (305.3 yards per game), it had far and away the best pass/receive game in district, churning out 216.8 yards in the air. That accounted for 78.9 percent of their offense.
Also a basketball and baseball player measuring 6 feet and 185 pounds, Muñoz has the physical qualities to make an instant impact, Uribe said.
Though they intend on keeping the same spread offense, it was unclear after their final day of two-days last week whether PSJA Memorial will rely on pass/receive game as much as it did last year or if it will try to run the ball more.
Senior Kane Garcia, junior Roel Martinez and sophomore Joaquin Sanchez have emerged as potential backs for the Wolverines this season. Joaquin Sanchez, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound sophomore, is also vying for reps.
“It’s looking very good,” Garcia said. “We’re just getting better everyday. Just putting a lot of hard work, and everything’s coming together well.”
RELIABLE LINE
While the Wolverines are looking to identify potential starters with their skill players, the offensive line has been thriving with left tackle George Contreras, center DJ Delgado and guard Tommy Hernandez returning.
Uribe lauded the three for their leadership and work ethic, saying they demonstrated the principles for which he wanted to build program around.
“We’re getting our steps rights, our blocks right,” said Alex Treviño, a left tackle. “We’re getting a lot of pushing in there, opening holes for our running back, protecting our quarterback. It’s looking good.”
IMPROVING THE ‘D’
Last year, the Wolverines allowed the fourth-most points (26.2) and fifth-most yards (238.5) per game in district.
Part of that, Uribe said, was the result of short offensive possessions by way of turnovers.
“To be honest, great defense always starts with a great offense,” Uribe said. “The more we could keep our offense on the field and the less we could keep our defense off the field, the better. Ball control offense is what we’re focused on to help our defense.
“We can’t complain about situation. We just have to relish opportunities.”
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PSJA MEMORIAL’S PROGNOSIS
With only 12 returning lettermen and six starters back, the Wolverines face an uphill battle trying to earn a postseason berth, with many new faces in skill positions in Year 2 with coach Mike Uribe.
Projected 2016 record: 3-7
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Mike Uribe
Year at school: Second
Record at school: 2-7