BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
The Progreso Red Ants (3-4) are ready to roll into a tough district season.
“We are pretty confident,” Progreso coach Frank Martinez said. “We have a lot of our key players back. We are looking forward to district. We know that (Port Isabel) is playing some really good football, so we have to be out there pretty much perfect if we want to compete against them. … I know the guys are excited, our coaching staff is excited. We just can’t wait to get out there and see where we are.”
Last week against Marine Military Academy, Progreso running back Julian Alvarez took the team lead with 445 rushing yards on the season. Part of that is due to the fact that Jose Medrano (310) and Michael Medrano (343) have both missed time with injury. All three will be ready to go at full force against Port Isabel on Friday in District 16-4A DII action in Progreso.
Alvarez has been a crucial element to the Red Ants’ attack.
“He’s a downhill runner,” Martinez said. “He has been taking the reins for us. He did good for us. We put him at fullback and z back and he succeeded on both of them. He looked great out there.”
Things aren’t perfect in Progreso just yet, but Martinez and his staff have already made an impact, and things are only getting better under their direction.
“I feel really blessed to be here,” Martinez said. “I feel we have made an impact here, but I still think we are behind a lot of other traditional programs. Having been in a traditional program, it is a little bit different as far as the culture.”
What makes Martinez’s task a little bit easier is the kids he has on his team.
“The fact that they come out there and work really hard, just shows how humble the kids are,” Martinez said. “They have taken loss after loss, and they still come out and grind for you every day.”