By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Anytime football gets going in any way, it’s exciting.
When Harlingen South opened up spring practice yesterday that excitement was amplified as new head coach Brian Ricci got a first look at his team in full pads.
So far, Ricci feels at home, but he knew he would before even being hired.
“I saw the job opening and researched it and every time I talked to someone familiar with the area and school, they had good things to say,” Ricci said. “The more I looked into it I realized it seemed like a place you can be very successful at.
“Now that I’m here I realized I made a pretty good decision.”
Ricci previously coached as an offensive coordinator at George Ranch High School for seven years where the team was 70-18 and won five undefeated district titled and a 5A state title.
Now, he is determined to bring some of that success to the Hawks, who finished the last two seasons without a playoff appearance.
After Wednesday, he was hopeful that he has the tools to get it done.
“I tell the kids everyday that championships don’t just happen,” Ricci said. “We talk about doing the little things and I want to build a program where the kids are on time, respectful and show good sportsmanship and play hard. If you do those little things, the big things like winning championships will come.
“It starts with hard work and these kids have that.”
Despite finishing 3-6 this year (3-4 in district), the Hawks were a solid group, finishing third in total defense and fifth in total offense, averaging 319 yard per game.
For the Hawks, if they want to improve those numbers in what will be an even tougher district featuring Harlingen, San Benito and both Weslaco schools, they will need to take advantage of spring practice.
“A new system is tough and I tell the kids all the time that we’re behind,” Ricci said. “The schools in our district have the same coach and system. They’re just fine-tuning. We’re starting over.”
The Hawks will be banking on a tried and true formula of running the ball and playing solid defense, but Ricci says that he has the personnel to make that philosophy a successful one.
“We have a few linemen who are feeling good, our quarterbacks are comfortable and our running backs are getting after it,” Ricci said. “We have a good nucleus and they can run the system we’re bringing in.
“Play good defense and have a good running football team and you’ll be all right.”