DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
MERCEDES — Mercedes is the reigning District 32-5A champion, and there is enough returning talent for the Tigers to defend their title.
But if they are to do so, the Tigers have to find their next quarterback, and quickly. After boasting All-Valley signal-caller Rene Presas the last two seasons, Mercedes is hoping sophomore Zach Gomez or senior D.J. Saenz can step into some big shoes.
“No one’s clearly won that job,” Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. said. “Both have done some good things and both have made mistakes. Hopefully after our scrimmages are done, we’ll have a clear understanding of who’s the frontrunner and then let him take more snaps with the (starters).”
The 5-foot-11 Gomez is more of a running quarterback, ideal for the Tigers’ play-action system. Saenz, also 5-11, has a strong arm with good accuracy.
Gomez has a good arm as well, but is not as accurate as Saenz, and Saenz is not as fast as Gomez. Gomez was the quarterback of the junior varsity last season, while Saenz backed up Presas and was the quarterback for Mercedes’ 7-on-7 team this summer.
“They’re both tremendous quarterbacks,” senior receiver Brandon Gutierrez said. “It’s a tough battle and whoever gets that starting spot will have earned it. With us, that means doing everything in our power to get as open as we can. We have to make their job as easy as possible.”
Adame talked to several coaches around the Valley and state that use a platoon system at quarterback. He is prepared to go that route if need be.
“They tell me, ‘Coach, there’s going to be one that stands out. It just may take a little longer,’” Adame said. “The good thing about both of these kids is they’re out their competing and competition is always good. The bad thing is they’re having to split the reps. No one is out there fulltime.”
Adame said he has made tweaks to his offense to accommodate each quarterback, but the thinking remains simple: take what the defense gives you.
“It depends what the situation is and what the defense gives us,” Adame said. “We don’t want to get greedy. We want these kids to know what they’re seeing and understand where they go because of it.”
STRONG OUT WIDE
With the Tigers going through a transition period at quarterback, Adame said he will lean on a veteran core of receivers in the meantime.
Mercedes returns its top two receivers in seniors Gutierrez and Daniel Martinez, and senior Raul Dena played in seven games.
“They do a tremendous job with their speed and catching the ball,” Adame said. “They’re working hard with the quarterbacks with the reads. With them and the running talent we have, it will help these quarterbacks blend in.”
Added Martinez: “We have a lot of young guys, and with the experience we have coming back we’re just trying to bring the same intensity we’ve always had.”
VELA’S BACK
Senior running back Isaac Vela hurt his leg during a Sept. 15 practice last season, missed three games and then played in bits as he was never completely healthy the rest of the way. In all, he played in just six of 11 games for the Tigers.
But coaches and teammates speak glowingly of Vela during camp these days and of the work he put in during the offseason.
“Toward the end of last season, he came back but he wasn’t the true Isaac,” Adame said. “He worked hard this offseason, making sure he was going to leave his mark his senior year.
“He put on 15 pounds of muscle, he’s shiftier, and his vision, of course, has always been there. He’s back to when he has the ball in his hands, he’s making something happen.”
Vela gives the Tigers a running game they sorely lacked in his absence.
“I feel real good. I feel fast,” Vela said. “I’m making the right reads again and I feel like myself out there.”
COMING UP
The Tigers return 10 starters and 18 lettermen, and they will be dependent upon a few budding sophomores with potential.
On offense, lineman Danny Melendez, running back Fabian Ledesma and Gomez all figure to play significant roles this season. Defensively, linebacker Roger Adame, the coach’s son, and defensive backs Raul Arteaga-Vilano and Ivan Vela, Isaac’s brother, are likely to see a lot of time on the field as well.
“The main thing is getting them used to the speed at this level,” Adame said. “They look good and they’re fighting, and no positions are set. We had all-district seniors last season who got beat out by younger guys, so this team knows no one’s job is safe.”
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MERCEDES’ PROGNOSIS
The Tigers are confident they will defend their district title, but priority No. 1 is finding a quarterback. The rest is in place for Mercedes to build upon 2014.
Projected 2015 Record: 6-5
TENURE
Coach: Roger Adame Jr.
Year at school: Second
Record at Mercedes: 9-2
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