DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
HIDALGO — Change is the key word around Hidalgo football. New coach, new systems. Again.
For the third time in four years, the Pirates have a new coach. David Duty takes over a program that is 20-32 since 2010, seven of those wins coming in 2012, the last time Hidalgo won a district title.
“It’s a slow process,” Duty said. “The reason why I’m here is because it was broke. Hidalgo’s broke. We’ve got to let these kids know that we’ll love and care about them and we want to succeed. We don’t want to have a backseat to any other sports here.”
Duty brings a pistol formation on offense and a 4-3 look on defense, each a different alignment than what Hidalgo ran last year.
The Pirates have experience at quarterback in senior Peter Quiroz, in his third year under center, and talented skill players in receiver Eliud Castillo and running back Jesus Nino.
Quiroz rushed for more than 900 yards last season, and Castillo had more than 900 receiving yards.
“Coach is an outstanding guy who brings a lot to the table,” Quiroz said. “It’s a new offense and a new defense and that’s good. We’re willing to learn. We want to win. We know it’s all things that will make us better during the season.”
Duty has made a quick impression upon his athletes. Last week, he made visits to players’ homes. Practices are often a lesson in positivity, a few pats on the back here and encouraging talks there.
“Coach is just high intensity,” senior defensive end Jerry Hernandez said. “He’s really excited to be here. From what I’ve seen, he’s always the first guy here way before anyone else, and we feed off that energy.”
Now the question is if this new culture will translate to wins on the field.
“We have a lot of work to do, but I like that our core of kids has really bought into what we’re doing,” Duty said. “They’re listening, and more and more we’re seeing more snap, crackle and pop. I like that we’re getting better.”
A FITTING DEFENSE
Duty brought in Joe Garcia, formerly of PSJA Memorial and Edcouch-Elsa, as his defensive coordinator. Garcia, whom Duty called a “home-run hire,” brings the 4-3 defense, different from the 3-4 scheme the Pirates ran last year.
“We’re already looking better than last year’s defense,” senior defensive end Fernando Castro said. “We’ve been working hard on our outside contain, and we’re getting it done. Last year, teams getting around the edges killed us.
“It’s not going to be like last year.”
The Pirates ran the 4-3 two years ago, so it’s not entirely new. Duty can tell. His players already look comfortable in their new setting.
“It’s not a traditional defense,” Duty said. “It’s a different look with those linebackers outside and you have to change some blocking schemes. It’s giving us fits already, and I like that because I know it’ll give other people fits.”
GOTTA FINISH
The Pirates went 1-9 last season, but still could have made the playoffs had they beaten Grulla instead of losing 19-7.
Close games were a common theme for Hidalgo last season. The Pirates lost four games by 12 or fewer points.
“We need to finish,” Quiroz said. “The last two years, we’ve let too many games slip away. We don’t want to keep coming up short, and that’s something we’re working hard to change.”
STEPPING UP
Injuries have already hit Hidalgo. The Pirates are without their starting left tackle and backup left tackle.
But Duty has been impressed with the emergence of senior Said Aleman, a soccer player who never played football before this season.
“He’s a kid we didn’t really have on the depth chart,” Duty said. “But because of injuries, he’s stepped up and he’s looking like a guy we can work with this year. That’s always a good thing to find.”
The Pirates won’t get their starting left tackle, out with a broken arm, until the start of district play, but Aleman’s play has helped stem concern.
“He’s been here every day and he’s getting better,” Duty said. “I like what I’ve seen from him.”
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HIDALGO’S PROGNOSIS
The first step for Hidalgo is establishing a culture, which is desperately needed for a program on its third coach in four years. On the field, the Pirates have the skill position players to compete in District 16-4A, Division I.
Projected 2015 Record: 3-7
TENURE
Coach: David Duty
Year at school: 1st
Record at Hidalgo: 0-0
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