KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
RAYMONDVILLE—-Over the past couple of seasons, Raymondville has had some elite talent come through the program, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. Despite losing some of those mainstays, the Bearkats have their solution in junior linebacker / defensive end Dylan Ramirez.
Ramirez grew up in Raymondville where he has played football his entire life and is really the only sport he has known. As a sophomore, Ramirez was on the varsity and quickly made an impact and found himself in a starting role.
Hat season, Ramirez was an all-district first-team selection as a defensive end. Ramirez was third on the team in tackles with 54 total and finished with 14 for a loss, where he ranked second. The big stat came with the sacks, in which Ramirez led the team with 14 on the year.
“From last year to now, I have done a lot of camps and kept working during the off season,” Ramirez said. “This is the only sport I have played and love ever since I can remember. This past offseason, I went to a lot of different camps and I feel I got a lot better and I’m just at another level.”
Last year, Ramirez teamed up with arguably the best linebacker duo in Cole Cooley and Noe Zambrano. Now, with both Cooley and Zambrano gone to graduation, Raymondville head coach Frank Cantu has given the keys to Ramirez and he has not disappointed.
This year, Ramirez feels himself and Thomas Zambrano (Noe’s younger brother) can emulate that duo on and off the field. Thomas Zambrano is currently sidelined with a broken ankle, but is expected to make a return to the lineup.
“We feel Dylan and Thomas can be those guys for us,” Cantu said. “Unfortunately, right now, Thomas is out with an injury. We have had to fill in and have guys step up, but Dylan just has a motor on him. He is big, quick, fast and strong and he is a great asset to have and we are happy he is on our side.”
So far, Ramirez has been a machine for the Raymondville defense. Through five games, Ramirez leads the team in total tackles with 56 and has 36 tackles. Ramirez has already passed last year’s tackle for loss total with 16, which is a team high. In the sack column, Ramirez also led the way with 8.5 on the year.
“We blitz a lot,” Ramirez said. “When I play linebacker I’ll step back in coverage. I’m trying to get to the college level and playing linebacker can get me there. I’m too small to play defensive end at the college level but I’m still learning the linebacker position.”
The Bearkats run a 4-2-5 defense and with an athlete like Ramirez, can put a hand in the ground and rush the passer or drop back in coverage much like an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
“Dylan is just a junior, he is the QB of the defense and he knows the calls,” Cantu said of Ramirez. “His technique is really good and he moves kids around and he is a great talent to have. When you have someone that athletic we want to be able to move him around and utilize his skills from end to backer.”
Ramirez and the ’Kats are currently riding a four-game win streak and are 4-1 on the year. Ramirez will look to continue his hot start as Raymondville will host Orange Grove Friday night at 7:30 p.m.