BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
Last year, important injuries mounted against Donna High. Most notably, the Redskins were down to their third-string quarterback at the halfway point of the 2017 season.
Coach Ramiro Leal’s team have been much more fortunate in the injury department this season. With five games behind them, including their first district road win at Brownsville Lopez, Donna High (4-1, 3-1) is in good standing at this point in the season.
“As the weeks go on, you’re going to start to see the separation between the playoff teams and the non-playoff teams,” Leal said. “We have so many games we need to win just to have a chance to make the playoffs. The possible combinations are going to get crazy toward the end. Winning at (Brownsville) Lopez felt like a playoff-type atmosphere. I wouldn’t say we were in desperation mode, but they’re all going to count the same.”
Donna has a bye this week, which means they will have extra time to prepare for Mission Veterans. The Patriots, who are 4-0 in district play, are also recharging in their bye week before they travel to Bennie LaPrade Stadium on Oct. 12.
“We know Mission Veterans is a very good team, and (quarterback) Landry Gilpin’s a big part of that, but he’s not the whole team,” Leal said. “We’ve discussed that as a staff. I also let the kids know that this game won’t dictate the rest of the season. He’s an exceptional athlete, and he’ll get his numbers, but what we can’t do is a have a letdown. It won’t get any easier the week after because we’ll have to face Brownsville Veterans.”