STAFF REPORTS
When Pace coach William Deen decided to add spring practice to the Vikings schedule, his reason was simple: to get better much faster.
The success of those late spring practices are making the Vikings’ coach feel more confident as his team begins the season.
“We had spring ball last year, and we were able to step right in and pick up where we left off when we started,” Deen said. “It was exciting. It wasn’t a lot of time spent installing, it was ready to go, so that was a lot of fun.
“I think it made the difference.”
Instead of working on basics of the offense and defense, the time was put toward details and other complexities of the Vikings’ schemes.
“We felt like we were ahead of the game, we have plenty of experience (returning),” Deen said. “We have several three-year starters in the system and allows us to do some things. It allows you to add the bells and whistles to the offense and defense.”
CHANGES UNDER CENTER
Donna learned Monday that junior starting quarterback Amonte Bowen, who suffered a broken collarbone in last week’s scrimmage against Rivera, will not need surgery right now.
Bowen will be re-evaluated again next week. The earliest he could return is eight weeks.
“We’re all taking it as if he’s out for the season, and if he comes back it will be a plus.” Donna coach Ramiro Leal said. “We prepare for the worst.”
In the meantime, Leal found someone to back up new starter Edward Dougherty. The Redskins will look to senior Joe Perez, who quarterbacked the JV team his sophomore year before moving to safety last season.
Dougherty, a junior, is more of a slasher/runner, while Perez can throw as well as he can run.
Schematically, the Redskins, whose offense was opening more into a two-back I formation than a traditional I look, will likely go back to the straight I formation.
With a new quarterback, Leal said it likely puts a heavier workload on running backs Paul Guerra (a strong, downhill type) and Michael Tamez (a crafty, shifty type).
“It comes down to ball control, clock management and game management,” Leal said. “It’s crucial we control clock, control tempo and move the chains bit by bit.”
TIGHT BATTLE
Because of a tight competition between junior Andrew Segura and sophomore Marco Aguinaga, Edcouch-Elsa coach Joe Marichalar pushed back his decision to today as to who will start at quarterback Friday at McAllen Rowe.
The decision was to be made last weekend. The delay awarded Marichalar a couple extra days of practice to evaluate. Though Segura is No. 1 on the depth chart, Marichalar said Monday that Aguinaga has the edge.
Aguinaga stood out during last week’s scrimmage, showing off his dual-threat ability and scoring the team’s only TD on a 46-yard scamper.
“He has the playmaking ability,” Marichalar said of his precocious underclassman. “When you put yourself in situations and you have to do something on your own, he can do that. He’s poised beyond his years.
“He’s just so comfortable in tough situations.”
Marichalar commended Segura for “getting the job done and being productive” in the scrimmage. Aguinaga’s play, however, has made him difficult to overlook.
THE TOP CHIEF
Donna North coach Tommy Sauceda has picked 6-foot-1, 175-pound sophomore Manny Ramirez as his starting quarterback for the Chiefs heading into their first year of varsity football play.
Ramirez won the spot over 5-9, 180-pound senior Oscar Colon.
“Manny’s the guy this week, and we’ll go from there,” Sauceda said. “He’s the prototypical spread quarterback. He’s tall, he’s got a good arm and he’s only going to get better. He’s got a lot of ability.”
Ramirez will have the benefit of playing behind a rapidly improving offensive line, led by sophomores Juan Martinez and Luis Castillo, junior Jose Molina and senior Freddy Coronado.
Now that the QB decision is settled, the Chiefs look forward to their first varsity game Friday at La Feria.
“Our kids have been looking forward to this moment for a long time,” said Sauceda, whose team played a JV schedule last season. “We’re excited. We have to be ready. I tell our kids if we work hard, good things will happen.
“Everybody looks forward to the start of the football season, and it sets the tempo for everything else.”
Andrew Crum and Dennis Silva contributed to this report.