DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
DONNA — The last time Donna High football won a district championship was 2007. This season, however, could change that.
The Redskins have been favored by multiple respected publications, such as Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, to win District 32-5A. Returning 13 starters and 21 lettermen from a 6-4 team that finished second in district, Donna High has the ingredients on paper to make it happen, though the Redskins are not necessarily buying into the hype.
“It’s hindsight,” Donna High coach Ramiro Leal. “With having the most experience, I guess most would think we could be the favorites. But there are intangibles involved.
“That year we won district, we weren’t even predicted to make the playoffs. That just goes to show you that you never know.”
Camp practices have been sharper for the Redskins. Players acknowledge a greater intensity, more cohesive team, and, yes, plenty of talent in stock.
“The guys coming back, we’re just pushing everybody else,” senior lineman Troy Billman said. “The intensity is high and that’s how we’re getting better. There’s more of a sense of urgency.”
On offense, the Redskins have the steady (running back Paul Guerra; an offensive line buoyed by the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Billman and 6-foot, 225-pound J.J. Vallejo) and the dynamic (quarterback Edward Dougherty and multi-purpose athlete Amonte Bowen).
“The timing has been the biggest thing for us,” Dougherty said. “We worked hard all offseason with our offense. We know what each other is thinking now. Everybody is on the same page pretty early in the season.”
On defense, the Redskins are inexperienced in the secondary, but still boast an interior, led by defensive end Jorge Ibarra and defensive tackle Cesar Villegas, that is ahead of where it was at this time last season.
“We’re more advanced with our schemes,” Ibarra said. “We’re more versatile. I can go from defensive end to linebacker, our corners can move to safety, our middle linebacker can play outside, and so forth. That’s going to be an advantage for us.”
The Redskins say the right things. They know not to pay attention to preseason predictions and they are modest about what this season holds.
But they are aware they are targets, and they are also aware they can accomplish something that hasn’t been done in seven years.
“The pressure comes with the game,” Leal said. “We know we should be one of the favorites, and we take that responsibility that people are going to try to knock us out. We know people are going to bring their ‘A’ game when we play them.”
BACK IN FOLD
Bowen, who has played quarterback, receiver, tailback and tight end during his Redskins career, played just two games last season after suffering a collarbone injury during the preseason.
This preseason, however, he looks better than ever.
“Amonte put in a lot of work,” said Dougherty, Bowen’s best friend on the team. “Last year, he was about 220 (pounds) and he’s about 195 now. He’s faster, stronger and he just looks good out there.”
Leal is unsure how he will work Bowen and Dougherty together. They may split time at quarterback; one under center with the other at receiver. But the coach is certain finding that answer is a priority.
“We have some ideas, we have some concepts,” Leal said. “We have to find a way to have both of those guys on the field.”
STEPPING IN
The Redskins lost some experience in the defensive backfield, where they employ two cornerbacks and a safety as part of their 4-2-2 alignment.
“We’re a bit behind there, but with the kids we have we’re confident we’ll catch up pretty quick,” Leal said.
Seniors Marcos Castillo and Jarrod Garza will be asked to step up at the corners. Junior Noe Perez steps in for all-district performer Jon Marty at safety.
JUST FOR KICKS
The kicking game was a sore point for the Redskins last season.
A potential game-winning field goal was missed in a 14-13 loss to Weslaco High. Two field goals were missed in a four-point win against Brownsville Veterans Memorial. During a 14-7 overtime win against PSJA High, the Redskins prevailed despite missing three field goals.
“It was not on just the kicking, there were intangibles in play,” Leal said. “But the kicking game is a big point of emphasis for us. We can’t leave points out there. We started from day one working on our kicking.”
Kicker Luis Piña and punter Oscar Muñoz return, and they’ve looked promising in camp. Piña is getting better height on his kicks and his timing has improved. Muñoz has looked more comfortable.
“That experience from last year gives them confidence in knowing what to expect,” Leal said.
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DONNA HIGH’S PROGNOSIS
Not only major publications, but some coaches around District 32-5A also feel the Redskins are the favorites in the district. If Donna High can exploit the versatile skills of QB Edward Dougherty and ATH Amonte Bowen, and shore up the kicking game, it has the ideal array of experience and skill on both sides of the ball to prove them right.
Projected 2015 Record: 11-2
TENURE
Coach: Ramiro Leal
Year at school: 3rd
Record at Donna High: 13-8
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