KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Porter is looking for a clean start in 2019, and this just might be the year the Cowboys turn that corner under third-year coach Carlos Uresti.
The Cowboys are in the Rio Grande Valley’s largest district, at 10 teams, and have a rough slate that includes Mission Veterans Memorial, Brownsville Pace and Brownsville Veterans Memorial. The young Cowboys won their season opener against Port Isabel but then ended the season with a nine-game losing streak.
However, there is plenty of optimism in the Southmost that the Cowboys can turn the tide with five returning players on offense and six returning on defense.
“We start off the season with Port Isabel, they are a solid program that has always won,” Uresti said. “Then we get district started against Pace. So right off the bat we will face a pair of playoff teams from last year.”
This Porter squad is the most experienced Uresti has had. Leading the charge will be junior quarterback Kevin Garcia, who is in his third year under center.
“We are excited to be out here, and the kids are excited to be out here,” Uresti said. “We have been hearing a lot of why we didn’t win last year — and that was because we were young — but we are tired of hearing that and our message to the kids was, next year is here. We want to deliverer that message this season.”
The tight-knit relationship between Uresti and Garcia looks to bear fruit this fall, with Garcia having full command of the huddle. With new offensive coordinator Ferrel Williams, the Cowboys aim to open up their offense.
“Coach Uresti and I’s relationship has come a long way,” Garcia said. “At first I was new to the program, and I had to gain his trust and his respect. Since then we have a great respect for each other, and we have each other’s backs.”
Throughout the offseason, Garcia worked on some of his passing mechanics. That is one skill Garcia is looking to display this season.
“My passing game was something I worked on, and it took a big leap forward from my sophomore year to my junior year,” Garcia said. “I wasn’t much of a dual-threat quarterback, I would run more than I would pass, but this summer I made it a goal to improve my passing game and I feel confident heading into the season.”
The Cowboys will look to snap their nine-game skid when they play host to Port Isabel on Aug. 30.