BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
PROGRESO — The rebuild of the Progreso football program is happening right in front of the players’ eyes, and they are all-in.
Last year, Progreso had about 28 players on its roster. This year, the Red Ants already have 55 players in camp, and that number may grow as more kids return to the area for the school year.
“We still don’t have many players compared to the other teams in our district,” coach Frank Martinez said. “You look at Rio Hondo. They get over 100 players. But it’s like I told the kids, ‘Only 11 players touch the field at a time, so that’s all we need.’”
Junior quarterback Josh San Roman has been on the team since his freshman year, and he said the added numbers have been beneficial to the group.
“It’s going to help us out a lot in the long run,” San Roman said. “Last year, almost all of us went both ways, and we were all exhausted by the fourth quarter. Now, with the new numbers, we will be able to substitute and get some fresh legs in there.”
Coach Frank Martinez held Progreso’s first summer football camp this year, then hosted a midnight madness event to kick off the season. The response was electric.
“They have bought into the program,” Martinez said. “The kids have shown a little bit more pride. They have shown more leadership, and I think they embrace the philosophy that we came in with. And at the end of the day, they know we care about them.”
The new-look District 16-4A DII has given the Red Ants added reason for optimism. The 27-year playoff drought in Progreso is already over, because with just four teams in the district, the Red Ants are assured a spot in the postseason.
“Honestly, I am not very satisfied, because to me, I like to earn what we get,” San Roman said. “It’s pretty much a slap to the face, saying, ‘You can’t make it unless there are four teams.’ With that in mind, we are excited about the season to show what we got.”
The Red Ants don’t want to be handed a playoff berth.
“That just means we have to keep pushing and working hard,” senior linebacker Mike Medrano said. “We want to show people that it wasn’t just given to us.”
Year two under Martinez has brought added excitement and comfort with his system.
“Last season, we were barely learning the new system,” senior lineman Emmanuel Pineda said. “It was hard to learn the system, because we were used to the old one. But with two years now, we are starting to get used to this system already.”
THE BIG DOG
Pineda is one of the strongest players on the Red Ants. The team tracks who is putting up the most weight during the summer weightlifting program, and Pineda is at the top of many of those categories, including power clean and bench press.
“It’s pretty competitive,” Pineda said. “It feels good. It basically means I’m at the top of the whole team.”
Because of the added numbers this year, fewer Red Ants will have to play on both sides of the ball.
“We only have about four guys that are starting both ways,” Martinez said. “So, other than that, everyone is going to have a fresh spot.”
Pineda is expected to be on the field for both offense and defense.
“It’s great to have a player like that,” senior linebacker Isaiah Valdez said. “Not only is he strong. He is really quick, too. That’s what helps a lot.”
Pineda and Valdez complement each other well. Pineda is at defensive tackle, and Valdez is a middle linebacker, so Pineda said he knows how to open up holes Valdez can run through to blow up plays in the backfield.
“Him playing on both sides shows that he has a lot of love for the game, and we are a big family here, so it shows a lot,” Valdez said of Pineda.
Valdez will also be playing on both sides and could be a key weapon at tight end on offense. He was one of the leading pass-catchers last year, but Martinez said Valdez may be limited on offense to allow him to excel at linebacker.
Pineda is excited for the chance.
“It’s good to play both ways this year, because it’s more playing time for me,” Pineda said. “But, at the same time, if I get tired, there is someone there that can back me up.”
REPLACING ALDO
Last season, wide receiver Aldo Martinez led the team in all-purpose yards. He made plays in the return game, he was a target in the passing game, and against the toughest defenses Progreso faced, he was tasked with running the ball, as well.
Aldo Martinez graduated, and now the task at hand for Frank Martinez is to replace that production.
Jose Medrano returns as the leading rusher, and San Roman said he is looking faster and stronger this year.
Julian Alvarez posted some solid production in the ground game as a sophomore last year.
“He got to showcase himself last year,” Frank Martinez said. “He will be back this year, and he will get a lot of reps in. We are excited about what he brings.”
Elian Rodriguez is Progreso’s secret weapon — a sophomore who already stands about 6-foot-2.
“We are hoping to get him some snaps and see what he can do,” Frank Martinez said.
Rodriguez is a quarterback by trade, but with San Roman ready to lead the offense, Frank Martinez will find creative ways to get him in the game.
PROGRESO’S KEY TO THE SEASON
The Red Ants are assured a playoff spot before the season even begins. Their goal now is to prove they deserve to be there.
2017 record: 1-8
Returning starters O/D: 8/7
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Frank Martinez
Year at the school: 2nd
Record at Progreso: 1-8