DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
RIO GRANDE CITY — The message was simple, cliché even, but the basics matter most right now for Rio Grande City.
“Do what you’re told,” coach Aaron Garcia told his players after practice Wednesday afternoon, “and we can be pretty special.”
Garcia, in his first year at the helm of the Rattlers, went on.
“Again, it’s not this,” he said, holding up five fingers. “It’s this,” he continued, closing that hand into a fist to represent togetherness.
Rio Grande City is apparently in transition from a culture perspective. Garcia, a Rio Grande City native who was assistant coach at Grulla the last two years and last a head coach from 2007-2011 at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, demands accountability and responsibility, things players admitted were tough to adjust to right away.
“He’s a great coach, but it wasn’t easy at first,” senior offensive lineman Dillon McGuffin said. “He’s putting discipline into this program right away. It was hard at first, acclimating to his ways, but now we’re used to him and it will pay off.”
It’s about the little things with Garcia. After every statement made during his post-practice talk, players responded with an enthusiastic “Yes sir!” It didn’t seem rehearsed or half-hearted.
“The intensity is definitely up,” junior quarterback Jason Perez said. “We’re working a lot harder, whether it’s in the weight room or out here on the field. Coach is really strict and he makes you earn everything. We know we have to be leaders out there on the field and carry out what he demands of us.”
On the field, Garcia has veteran coaches around him. Paul Reyes is the new offensive coordinator, fresh off a lengthy run at the head of McAllen Rowe. Defensive coordinator Kevin Whaley, who used to work with Garcia at previous stints, returns in his post.
The offense is the same in base, a spread alignment, but will be multiple in formation under Reyes, who embraces the passing game. Whaley is keeping the 3-4 defense.
But before any progress is made on the field, Garcia believes it starts with commitment, personally and physically.
“I only know how to do things my way,” Garcia said. “I’m not here to invent football. I’m just here to do what I know how to do. One of those things we stress is responsibility and accountability. We also stress that nobody is above the team. The thing that I’m really happy about is these kids work hard. They’ve shown up and worked. The potential is there, but potential without effort is nothing.”
Garcia said he has grown as a coach since that stint at Juarez-Lincoln, where he posted an 11-29 overall record. But this new gig means more to him, not only because it is a chance to right what went wrong in La Joya but also because this is home.
“You learn some things,” Garcia said. “I wasn’t perfect, and some things have changed here and there. I’ve learned to not let the little things get to me. I’ve really tried to work on that. But I’m still the same person.”
CONFIDENT OFFENSE
Perez returns as signal-caller in an offense that better suits him.
“Coach Reyes is bringing confidence to us,” McGuffin said. “He’s brought an offense that fits our quarterback better. Jason has more of a responsibility and he’s the one making the reads and deciding where the ball goes. He’s a smart guy, so it really fits him. It allows him to use the whole field and be in control.”
Perez said the game has slowed for him.
“It’s a faster pace and we’re throwing the ball a lot more,” Perez said. “There’s a premium on getting the ball out of your hands quick and making the right decisions. It’s the same offense, which makes it easier, but we’re doing a lot more things out of it now.”
In Reyes’ offense, run-pass balance is big. Perez has that in running backs Jaime Gomez and Casimiro Olivarez, and senior receivers Javier Garcia, Diego Garcia, Jacob Guerra and Victor Marquez.
“Jason’s looked good,” Garcia said. “We’re not asking him to be spectacular; we just want him to be efficient. As he gets better and gains more confidence, things will be really great for him.”
TOUGH IN THE TRENCHES
If Garcia has his way, physicality and discipline will be the anchors of this year’s team. That starts on the offensive and defensive lines.
Garcia has refined technique and footwork of his offensive linemen, teaching them different ways to stay low and how to keep their feet moving.
Defensively, 5-foot-11, 255-pound Oscar Montalvo is the rock of a line that includes emerging talent Alejandro Islas.
“Everyone’s going hard every play,” Montalvo said. “We’re all getting to the ball faster and we’re confident we’re going to have a great defense this year. We don’t lack a lot. We’re getting to that ball quick.”
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RIO GRANDE CITY’S PROGNOSIS
Rio Grande City returns nine starters and has promise at key positions like quarterback, receiver and the offensive and defensive lines. If they embrace coach Aaron Garcia’s no-nonsense ways, the Rattlers could surprise some people this year.
Projected 2016 Record: 3-7
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Aaron Garcia
Year at School: First
Career record: 11-29