DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Last year was supposed to be the season the tide turned for Sharyland High football. The Rattlers returned just 24 lettermen and 2015 was projected to be unkind.
Those assumptions, however, were proved wrong after the Rattlers went 7-5 and earned a Class 5A bi-district win.
“Everybody was writing us off as has-beens, but I think tonight we proved what type of caliber team we have,” a fired-up coach Ron Adame said after his team fell 48-47 in a late September affair against eventual district champ and regional quarterfinalist Edinburg Vela.
And though the Rattlers return only a few more lettermen this season than they did last — 28, including just seven starters — it would be wise not to dismiss them so easily.
“Whenever people doubt you, that’s enough motivation,” senior lineman Adolfo Treviño said. “We had to prove them wrong, and now it’s set the fuel for us. We know we can do even better.”
Sharyland High is young on defense and has four players competing for the No. 1 quarterback spot, but it is encouraged by a promising wideout core led by big-play senior Edgar Alanis.
Alanis compiled 930 yards and nine touchdowns last season and is ready to be the primary target of opposing defenses.
“The idea is to beat the guy in front of you and that’s my mentality,” Alanis said. “I’ve improved my route-running, I’m catching every ball. I’m ready for what comes.”
He will be supported by junior Blake Klein, who played four games last season after being promoted from the junior varsity because of impressive production, Miguel Peña, Luis Franco and Juan Zuniga.
Adame said the team will build around Alanis’ leadership and abilities, and the 5-foot-8 Klein has made himself into a threat because of a strong understanding of space and finding open pockets.
“They’re going to complement each other,” Adame said. “We’ve got a real good receiving core that has played in our system since junior high. We don’t have that superstar, but we’ve got blue-chip kids who understand their roles.”
The stability at receiver has alleviated growing pains at quarterback, a job that appears to be senior Alan Alvarez’s for the taking.
In Adame’s spread offense that takes advantage of mismatches, Alvarez’s accuracy and arm strength are desired. His understanding of the system and personnel has only been a boon to his cause.
“His accuracy and arm strength is something I haven’t seen since I’ve been here,” Treviño said. “It’s very good. He can throw deep balls, medium stuff, short stuff. If we need a first down, we have confidence he’ll get us there.”
Adame said if the Rattlers’ season was to start tonight, Alvarez, who quarterbacked the junior varsity last season, would take the reins. But sophomore Edward Longoria, junior Diego Vela and senior Kale Cator are also biting at the chance to take snaps.
“They’re all going at it,” Alanis said. “Alan has been a leader on and off the field, so I think he’ll start, but whoever gets it will have earned it.”
And the Rattlers will be ready to prove themselves once again.
“Last year was a real big confidence-booster because everyone was nervous, saying stuff like, ‘Oh, wow, Sharyland’s not going to be that great anymore. Sharyland’s not going to make it to the playoffs,’” senior defensive back Andres Tamez said. “But we did well, and it just motivates us to show that we’re still going to be good and we’re still going to have success in the future.”
OPEN ON DEFENSE
The Rattlers return just three defensive starters — Tamez, defensive end Christian Salinas and defensive back Omar Mendiola — but Adame likes the kids he has that has familiarity in fourth-year defensive coordinator Craig Krell’s system.
Junior Tyger Brigmon saw time last season at outside linebacker. Linebackers James Harris, Noe Cortez and Cesar Zecca, and defensive back Jimmy Esquivel are some of the intriguing young pieces that could make an impact.
“Even though it’s a young defense, everyone is giving their all to make sure they secure a position,” Tamez said. “No position is secure yet, and everyone is working to earn it.”
THIN AT RB
At running back, Fernando Perez seems to be in line to assume that role fulltime, though he will also play linebacker. Klein is the leading returning rusher with 43 yards and nine carries. Perez had 26 and 5, respectively.
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SHARYLAND HIGH’S PROGNOSIS
District 31-5A is pretty open, and Sharyland High could find itself in the district title mix if the young talent finds its way sooner than later.
Projected 2016 Record: 8-4
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Ron Adame
Year at school: Fifth
Career record: 42-9