MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — Given all that happened last season, perhaps no team in District 31-5A can appreciate a clean bill of health like Valley View.
The Tigers lost 16 players to injuries in 2013 — six in the opener, including two quarterbacks. Their third-string QB went down the week prior during a scrimmage. To make up the difference, coach Baldo Peña combed through his JV roster for replacements. Before long, 20 sophomores filled out the starting lineup.
“Immediately, we were behind the eight-ball,” Peña said.
If there was a silver lining throughout all this, the second-year coach said, it’s that his players gained experience. Even if they did get “knocked around left and right,” he added, on their way to a 2-8 record.
The fresh slate of a new season, however, is enough to elicit hope that things could be better than last year.
“It was pretty hard going through that,” linebacker George Aguilar said, “but we’re hoping to switch it up this year.”
The Tigers have several reasons to be optimistic. During two-a-days, they’ve had their largest turnout (47 players) in recent memory. All 20 starting sophomores are returning. They also bring back plenty of size, particularly on the defensive line, where almost everyone towers above 6 feet.
Aguilar was one of six players injured during last year’s opener, along with quarterback Chris Castillo. Both are expected to lead their respective sides of the ball. Castillo, in particular, offers a decent arm. His game management skills should help carry their offense, with Che Gonzalez likely being the primary target. Gonzalez, a junior, returns after a solid track season.
During two-a-days, Peña said he’s looking for the little things from his players — from their positioning to execution. With time, he’ll demand more from them. After all, the Tigers expect to carry only a half-dozen seniors on the team.
Still, Peña said, “We’re hoping for a big turnaround. These guys are not little boys anymore, so that makes a big difference for us.”
CHASING HISTORY
This is the biggest team the Tigers have had in less than one decade of existence. Even though Valley View has never made the playoffs in football, Peña hopes his team is in the running for one of the four postseason slots.
“At the end of the year, we want to be in position to make the playoffs,” he said. “That’s our goal.”
Doing that, he said, “would be a history-making year. The kids have picked up the motto that this is a season to remember and they’re working hard to accomplishing that goal.”
STARTING HEALTHY
Castillo was injured during last year’s season opener against Progreso. So was his backup. So was the third-string QB, who was sidelined during a scrimmage the week prior.
It was difficult for Castillo to watch from the sideline. But he said that experience helped him see the game differently.
“After I got hurt, I was still at practice everyday. Just trying to look at the defense in certain situations, seeing how we could adjust to it as an offense,” he said. “I plan on using that this year on the field.”
LEADING WITH DEFENSE
This year, the Tigers are emphasizing defense during two-a-days. Part of the reason is due to the players coming back on that side of the ball.
“Last year’s defense is mainly this year’s defense,” Aguilar said. “We have everybody. I’m coming back. We’re coming back healthy (on the line). We’re trying to be healthy for each other. We’re trying to get a great season going and be ready.
“Coach doesn’t like to look back. He tries to focus on what’s coming (this year).”