NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — Many of McAllen Rowe’s leaders sweating it out under the sun at preseason practice are a year away from their senior season. The Warriors are leaning on youth, primarily the 2020 class, to guide the Warriors back to the playoffs.
Though it may sound like a tall order, the players at two of the most crucial positions in 2017 were sophomores as Rowe went 7-4 and 4-2 in district. Jonas Ortiz, who stands 6 feet, 3 inches, moved from tight end to quarterback when Rowe senior QB Jesus Sanchez went down to injury, and Ortiz proceeded to guide Rowe to six straight wins.
On defense, linebacker Josiah Alonzo was in a similar situation, moving up from the junior varsity and eventually starting at middle linebacker.
“The playing time I got last year gave me more confidence to build this year,” Alonzo said. “Especially with the group of seniors we had last year. The two other linebackers were seniors. This year, my confidence will be more built up.”
The middle linebacker is often called the quarterback of the defense because of the playing-calling and late adjustments barked out before the snap. The role is one Alonzo relishes.
“I think growing up, I was born to be a leader,” Alonzo said. “The goal that I have right now, I think I can guide my fellow teammates to the potential we can get to. It does take a lot to be a middle linebacker. There’s a lot of brains to it. But I know with me there, I can be a great leader to the guys around me.”
The defense around him will be young, but speed and quickness are not in short supply.
On offense, Rowe will aim to be the dynamic, ball-moving, point-producing unit local defenses have come to expect.
Rowe’s passing numbers from a year ago, which often came out of the backfield via the Warriors’ signature sweeps and misdirection, show two returning players set to follow the lead of the graduated Adrian Bernal.
Noe Ramirez will be a junior this year after amassing 408 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Senior Angel Rodriguez had 580 yards on 39 receptions in 2017.
Both players will see action on both sides of the field. Two-way players are less common at bigger schools, but Rowe coach Bobby Flores won’t deny the talent and abilities of those players. He feels with the number of fresh bodies in his intended rotation, neither should get burned out.
Ortiz said he is confident the new crop of offensive players will fall in line and execute Rowe’s style.
“We just want to keep everything the same. Keep doing what we’re doing,” Ortiz said. “We all know what we need to do to win games out here.”
The QB returns with more than just experience from the gridiron. He competed for the Warriors varsity baseball team for a second year, and on the track he threw the discus and ran on Rowe’s district champion sprint relay team.
“It gives you an idea what a varsity sport is like — the speed and the atmosphere of a varsity game,” Ortiz said. “It helps you get an understanding of how to play football at the varsity level.”
Lalo Bosquez will be Rowe’s first-year running back. But 2018 will not be his first year dishing out contact — he’s a converted defensive end who the team felt had the speed, hands and physicality to power through as a tailback.
“He’s a great running back to have. I wouldn’t rather have anyone else,” Ortiz said. “He’s isn’t scared to hit. He’s not scared to block. He’ll go against any defender, no matter who it is.”
OFFENSIVE LINE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Flores admitted he’s keeping a close eye on the offensive line, which faced injuries and did not have very consistent personnel a year ago. With players graduated, the burden is on new position coach Brigado Gonzalez and key returner Rigo Davila — a junior who stands at 6 feet, 4 inches — to mold the backbone of the offense.
“A concern we’ve been looking at in the spring is the offensive line,” Flores said. “We do have a couple of guys that are coming back in Aalok Zimmerman and Rigo Davila. We have some new (players) that are going to be put to the test. They’re still untested.”
Davila is just a junior but has been a vocal and physical leader since summer weightlifting.
“I’m the only experienced starting guy on the line this year, so I’ve taken it upon myself this summer to work out with the guys,” Davila said. “I’ve told them, ‘These months are so important, because this decides what line you’re going to be on. Your effort decides if you’re going to be in first group or second group.’”
The competition for playing time is a daily battle that might be settled through the pre-district schedule, including a scrimmage against Donna North.
“That’s why this month is so important,” Davila said. “You can’t mess up around here, because at any given moment, your spot can get taken.”
TRIO OF INTRIGUING MATCHUPS
Rowe will start with three games against teams with playoff goals that will also be using non-district play to evaluate what they’re made of.
The first test that Flores referenced will come against Weslaco High at home on Aug. 30.
“Coach (Michael) Salinas is a great coach, and his staff does a great job over there,” Flores said.
“We wanted to go against teams that will get us ready for a tough district. It helps our defense look at different things, and we’re going to have to stop and adjust.”
Then, Rowe faces Mercedes, another mid-Valley team the Warriors have battled in non-district play several times in recent years, creating a bit of an unlikely rivalry.
“Of course, Mercedes, they’re no strangers to the playoff scene,” Flores said. “(Coach) Roger (Adame) and them are always in there going a couple of rounds. Edinburg North, also, they’re going to be someone to watch. All of those three teams we’re going to play, we have to be ready for.”
KEYS TO THE SEASON
McAllen Rowe has skilled players all over the field yet again. It’s just a matter of making sure young Warriors grow up quick. Jonas Ortiz has a good cast and a tough running back in Lalo Bosquez. If the lines on both sides of the football hold strong, the Warriors should be a top-two-or-three team in 30-6A. But, they just as easily could be fighting for their playoff lives.
2017 record: 7-4, 4-2
Returning starters O/D: 3/5
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Bobby Flores
Year at school: 3rd
Record at school: 14-8