DONNA — Tradition runs deep at Donna High. The Redskins have compiled 585 wins since 1920, ranking second in the Valley behind Harlingen High’s 690. They became the only RGV football team to win a state championship in 1961.
Recently, however, the Redskins have struggled on the field, last qualifying for the postseason in 2015.
Head coach Mike Gonzales is no stranger to the Redskins legacy, growing up down the road from Bennie La Prade Stadium. He remembers listening to their “Million Dollar Band” play Friday nights, dreaming of donning the burgundy and gold.
Gonzales turned his dream into a reality, suiting up at middle linebacker for the Redskins for three seasons, graduating in 2001. He returned to his alma mater last season, spending the previous 10 years as offensive coordinator at Weslaco East.
The Redskins’ recent struggles continued during his first year at the helm, missing the postseason for the fifth straight season. Gonzales hopes to return Donna High to its winning ways this year, as they prepare the celebrate the 60th anniversary of their state championship season.
“It’s a message that we’re selling from the top down,” he said. “It’s an attainable goal. It’s not going to be an easy one in a 10-team district. But it’s now our expectation. It’d be awesome to get Donna back on the map and back in postseason play.
“We’ve been without a postseason opportunity in quite a bit. It would mean the world to get my school, my alma mater, back to that. The kids deserve it. The community deserves it.”
Defense will be the Redskins’ forte this season, returning eight starters, led by senior linebacker Evan Frias, who was the team’s leading tackler last year with 71.
He’ll be joined by a pair of athletic safeties in Francisco Contreras and Marco De Los Rios. The duo swarmed to the ball a season ago, combining for 81 tackles in five appearances.
Defensive tackle Lupe Ramos will man the trenches, giving the defense experience at every level. Ramos registered 34 tackles in five appearances last year. Gonzales said he believes a full offseason and continuity will be a key to success for their defense.
“These guys now, you can see that the brotherhood is there,” he said. “The communication is there. They’re not afraid to get on each other. They understand the defense a lot better this year. They just fly to the ball. They’re good athletes, love the weight room and they love being out here.”
Offensively, the Redskins pounded the rock a season ago, running the ball 206 times, while throwing it just 53. Donna High will look to field a more balanced offense this year, Gonzales said, with several skill weapons at their disposal.
Wideouts Caleb Harrison and Jakob Yanez will be two names to watch, combining for eight catches and 193 yards in five appearances.
Jake Garcia and Jeffery Lefrve will battle it out for the top quarterback spot, both smart and capable of slinging the rock, Gonzales said.
From the top to the bottom, Gonzales has his team focused on one goal, returning to the postseason and restoring Donna High’s winning tradition.
“The Donna Redskins are the Donna Redskins,” Gonzales said. “You can go anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley; you can go anywhere in the state of Texas and people know who the Donna Redskins are. We want that to continue. We want this community to be proud of us and the product we put out every Friday night.”
Donna High opens its season with a non-district crosstown rivalry, taking on Donna North on Aug. 27 at Bennie La Prade Stadium in Donna. The Redskins kick off District 16-5A DI play Sept. 3, facing off against Weslaco East at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.