NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
Cinderella wasn’t satisfied just putting on her slippers and looking nice. She wanted to dance.
The last two seasons for La Joya Juarez-Lincoln have been playoff seasons. The Huskies dressed up and went to the ball for the first two times in school history. They didn’t have much time to boogie, because they were eliminated in the opening round on both occasions.
Now, expectations at the 10th-year varsity program are being raised. They’ve made playoff trips a habit, and now they want to perform at that level.
Elias Gutierrez, an essential part of the roster who plays on both sides of the ball, says there’s much to look forward to.
“It’s very exciting that we went to back-to-back playoffs, but we didn’t succeed in getting a win,” Gutierrez said. “This year should be our year. We’re a senior team, and we’ve been looking pretty strong.”
In 2015, Juarez-Lincoln qualified for the postseason in its eighth year of varsity football. In the not-so-distant past, a playoff berth was reason enough for celebration.
Not anymore.
Seniors and three-year starters have been to the show. It’s exciting and still an accomplishment, but it’s not enough for the Huskies to pat themselves on the back.
The defense that returns four looks to be strong if the upperclassmen can pass along their know-how.
“It starts in the practice field. We just got to work hard every day. We got to grind,” linebacker Joseph Valdez said. “When it comes to game time, we have to execute very well.”
Even the underclassmen recognize the importance of performing and sending the seniors out on a high note.
“Making the playoffs is not much of a big goal now. We already started a tradition,” Efren Martinez, the projected starting quarterback, said. “Our goal is to go and get bi-district and bring a trophy home.”
“We’ve got a good senior group,” sixth-year coach Tomas Garcia said. “The leadership has been great compared to anything I’ve seen here. We had a back-to-school bash that has nothing to do with football, but they were out there helping the community, giving out books. That has never been seen here. It’s different.”
Juarez-Lincoln has come a long way from an 0-10 season in 2014, and all signs point toward the program resurgence continuing.
“This year, we have to execute every drive,” Hernandez said. “We cannot give up in that last quarter, because that’s what cost a couple games (last year).”
In 2016, the Huskies snuck into the playoffs in Week 11. With a bye in the last week of the regular season, Juarez-Lincoln needed both La Joya High and McAllen High to lose. The unlikely scenario came true when McAllen fell flat against Mission High.
This year, the Huskies want to control their fate. Garcia feels that his 20 seniors can set a good example.
“I think the confidence level of our kids has grown since we’ve been in the playoffs the last two years,” Garcia said. “We have some quality kids that go above and beyond what is expected of them. Right now, we’re trying to look at the younger kids and get them as many reps as they can.”
RUNNING WILD
Last year, the Juarez-Lincoln running game amassed 1,915 yards, ranking second in a district that heavily favors the run.
Repeating the strong ground attack is a major focus in camp, and the Huskies will need contributions from multiple backs. Gutierrez figures to get a lot of carries, but Adonis Barillas will be the primary ball carrier.
Another name opposing teams will have to gameplan for is fullback Eddie Hernandez. The senior will be tasked with lead blocking for the Huskies and said he is excited to be doing it.
“For the running backs, we want to get a goal of 1,000 yards for every running back. Fullbacks, we want at least 500 yards out there,” Hernandez said. “It takes the guys that want to be there, the guys that are going to sacrifice for the other back.”
NEW MAN UNDER CENTER
Isai Galvan was the man at quarterback for the Huskies until he graduated, and now it’s time for Martinez, a junior, to move into his role as the starter.
Martinez joined the varsity squad last season and soaked up knowledge on the sidelines.
“When we moved him up to varsity, we got to get him in on mop-up duty,” Garcia said. “I think that experience will help him out. We just got to jell. He’s got to take command of the huddle. It’s early in the season.”
“I’m still making mistakes, we still work hard, and I get pushed by my teammates,” Martinez said. “I’m a young guy coming into the offense. It’s a big deal for me to step up. I had a lot of mental reps on the sideline, and we had a very good quarterback last year. I learned a lot from him.”
Martinez will lean on help from his elders as he settles into the pressure-packed position.
“The easiest way for him to get comfortable with us is we just keep him up,” Hernandez said. “We don’t tell him, ‘Oh, bad throw.’ None of that. Just, ‘Nice pass. Let’s keep it going.’ And he’ll get comfortable with the offense real quick.”
Many might give the Huskies a pass for being easily handled by veteran programs from Laredo United and San Antonio Southwest in the playoffs the past two seasons. Garcia’s squad is hoping to be prepared this year so that even a tough first round opponent won’t be a fatal draw.
JUAREZ-LINCOLN’S PROGNOSIS
Defense will be key for Juarez-Lincoln as it navigates a likely improved District 30-6A. Running will be leaned on heavily as new QB Efren Martinez assimilates to the offense.
2016 record: 4-7
Returning starters O/D: 5/4
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Tomas Garcia
Year at School: 6th
Record at school: 17-35