DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — PSJA Southwest fell one game shy last season of making the first playoff appearance in the football program’s short history. But there is enough on hand this season to play more than 10 games, and it starts with senior running back Jesus Acosta.
Acosta ran for 1,300 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Javelinas last season. Those numbers led District 32-5A.
“My goal is to hit at least 2,000 yards, and if I can’t do that then I’m definitely going to get more than the 19 touchdowns,” Acosta said. “I’m going to depend a lot on my offensive line. They’re blocking, they’re opening holes and there’s going to be more green grass for us.”
Acosta is the anchor, but he will have support around him in quarterback Darren Estrada, halfback Hector Pecina, receiver Brian Sifuentes and others. And it’s because of that support that coach Jesus Reyes is hoping his team is more diverse than it has been in the past.
“Jesus is going to get his carries,” Reyes said. “He gets stronger as the game goes on and he wants the ball. But we want to be more balanced. We want to be as close to 60-40 (running to passing) as much as we can.”
Aside from Acosta and Pecina in the backfield, David Alvarado adds more depth as a ballcarrier. Tight ends Eli Flores and Joaquin Perez are not as big as those in the past, but they’re faster and quicker.
“We have the speed and we have the experience,” Pecina said. “We feel we can carry this team far. We have Darren doing his thing at quarterback, we have speed with me outside and Jesus through the middle.”
But there is no question who the Javelinas will turn to when times get tough. Acosta ran track and played soccer during the offseason, put on almost 20 pounds of muscle and has shown a sense of urgency during camp.
“He’s going hard every play,” Sifuentes said. “He’s running to the end zone on every drill during practice, finishing through. He stays after practice to work. He’s doing everything he can.”
IN GOOD SPIRITS
The Javelinas went 6-4 last season, winning twice as many games as they won the previous two seasons combined. Because of that, the culture around camp these days is more enthused and uplifting.
“We’re a year older and the boys are excited,” Reyes said. “The attitude has been tremendous and it’s been a big difference from the first couple of years. Everything around us is positive.”
The primary key behind last season’s success was the leadership and no-nonsense attitude of the seniors. Reyes said the 15 seniors this season will be asked to step up.
So far, so good.
“We see a lot of brotherhood. We see people helping each other,” Sifuentes said. “We see commitment. We’re seeing a lot of good things out there.”
The hope is that will lead to better results.
“(6-4) is not what your goal is as a team,” Reyes said. “What it is, is something to build on. We want to be better and we want to make the playoffs.”
ENTER ESTRADA
Southwest enters its fourth season of varsity football play, and for the first time there will be someone new under center.
Estrada, a first-team all-district slot receiver last year, replaces the graduated Carlos Portales, the only signal-caller the Javelinas have known.
“I have some big shoes to fill, but I feel I can get the job done and work at a faster pace to get some wins,” Estrada said.
Estrada is playing quarterback for the first time since he was in eighth grade. He is a two-year varsity letterman.
“I’ve known him since middle school,” Acosta said. “He’s got speed and he’s got the arm. We’re not going to miss a beat.”
THE X-FACTOR
Junior strong safety Oscar Garay is an intriguing prospect for Southwest.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Garay played well last season despite it being his first year playing football at any level.
“It was a good experience, jumping right into things,” Garay said. “I’m glad I was just able to contribute. We had a great year and now we want to do even more. We have to keep working harder, keep going the extra mile.”
Garay, who will also see time at receiver, worked on his footwork, strength and conditioning during the offseason to get ready for a bigger role this year.
“He’s been excited, he’s a motivator,” Reyes said. “He’s having fun.”
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SOUTHWEST’S PROGNOSIS
The Javelinas return 10 starters and 20 lettermen from a 6-4 team that finished one game shy of the playoffs. Behind the district’s top running back in Jesus Acosta, Southwest could make school history and get that elusive postseason berth this season.
Projected 2015 Record: 7-3
TENURE
Coach: Jesus Reyes
Year at school: 4th
Record at Southwest: 9-21
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