GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — On the field and off, Mission High linebacker Steven De Leon is quiet and reserved. He speaks only rarely and in short sentences, be it in the huddle, with his friends, or in interviews.
But between the lines in competition, De Leon’s play takes on an entirely different personality.
“That’s how he is with us, but he’s crazy,” Eagles free safety Azahel Arizpe said. “He’s totally different on the field and off the field. (He says) nothing. But it’s the plays he makes. That’s what he does.”
Last season, as only a sophomore, De Leon racked up 129 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 10 sacks to earn Associated Press All-State honorable mention recognition.
With new coach Koy Detmer bringing new systems offensively and defensively, De Leon enters 2016 expected to carry a heavy load at linebacker and running back.
“He’ll be on both sides, most of the time,” Detmer said. “The thing about him is he’s a very good player. … For his size, he has good speed. He’s a very strong, tough kid.”
Entering last season, De Leon had very modest expectations of himself. He figured he would be a second- or third-string option on the Eagles’ defense — a group that typically ranks near the top of the district in yards allowed.
He never envisioned that he would become Mission’s most productive defensive player and an all-state honoree.
“I was surprised. I thought I wasn’t going to start,” De Leon said. “It was incredible. It felt pretty good. … I was shocked. I didn’t know I was going to go that far, but I did.”
As Mission switches from a 3-3 defense to a 3-4, De Leon expects to have a slightly different role. Whereas last year he lined up on the outside and read the running back, this year he takes up a position inside and keys on the offensive guard.
So far, the change hasn’t slowed him down any, Detmer said.
“He has good instincts and an eye for seeing where the ball is going to go and getting to the ball,” Detmer said.
De Leon also started to carve out a role on offense late last season. On Oct. 22, he ran 18 times for 101 yards against McAllen Rowe, and the following week he had 16 carries for 88 yards and two scores against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.
At 6-foot and 210 pounds — an increase from the 200 he weighed last year — De Leon is a load to bring down in the open field, especially given his 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash.
“If you can get a crease there for him to run through, he’s a tough tackle for one guy,” Detmer said.
To prepare for the growing workload, De Leon said he conditioned every day for two hours during the summer, either navigating a rope ladder or running 40- and 50-yard sprints.
The Eagles’ practice schedule also helps his conditioning, as he finds little time for rest in trying to drill with both the offensive and defensive groups. If he gets any breaks during the season, Detmer said they will likely come on the offensive side, where De Leon will rotate with returning back Robert Gonzalez behind quarterback Rudy Treviño.
“It’s going to be tough on him,” Treviño said. “He’s going to get tired on defense, which is his main goal. But on offense, he looks pretty solid.”
Detmer said De Leon is already on the radar of college scouts because of his size and speed. Beyond those attributes, recruiters have been pleased to see that De Leon loves not only football, but the process of getting better, Detmer said.
De Leon said college is one of his long-term goals. For this season, his focus is on making the all-state team again, whether it be at linebacker or running back.
“Whichever one is fine,” De Leon said. “Probably defense. Defense is where I’m more aggressive.”
MOVING FORWARD
With Treviño and the offense retaining most of what they learned in the spring, Detmer said he’s been able to move forward with the installation of his new, multiple attack.
With talent evaluation ongoing, Detmer said the team’s identity on that side of the ball is still taking shape.
Treviño expects the offense to be improved from a unit that ranked fourth in District 30-6A at 330.7 yards per game last season. “We want to be a strong offense this year,” Treviño said. “Not like last year, that we were kind of weak. We’ll try to bring it up so we can find a spot in the playoffs.”
IRONMAN FOOTBALL
De Leon, Arizpe and Omar Vera are among a few players who project to play both sides of the ball for Mission High this season.
The two-way players face not only a conditioning challenge but the prospect of learning new terms and systems on both sides, though Arizpe said the defense has been progressing smoothly.
“We’re picking it up pretty good. Better than expected,” Arizpe said. “We’re learning fast.”
PROGNOSIS
Mission High is in store for an exciting season under new coach Koy Detmer, but the Eagles will be hard pressed to push through growing pains and make the playoffs in Year 1.
Projected 2016 Record: 4-6
TENURE
Coach: Koy Detmer
Year at School: First
Career record: 0-0