BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
MISSION – At the start of his sophomore year, Jacob Rosales had to make the mental leap from part-time to full-time starting quarterback for Sharyland Pioneer. After completing 43.6 percent of his passes and recording zero touchdown passes in 2015, Rosales turned in a sophomore season that rocketed his stock up to the level of the best quarterbacks in the Valley. Rosales completed 61.2 percent of his passes and spread around 23 touchdown passes against just four interceptions, helping the Diamondbacks capture their first playoff berth and district championship in school history.
Injuries can always prevent the good vibes of last season from blossoming into something greater, and Rosales hasn’t been immune. He had been dealing with a sore right shoulder for quite some time.
“My shoulder was bad, but now it’s better than ever,” Rosales said. “It’s probably the best it’s been since I was a freshman. It was just a complication that I had to get over.”
Rosales traces back the pain more than a calendar year.
“The summer leading up to my sophomore year, I would go to camps and throw over 150 passes a day,” Rosales said. “It took a toll on me. We didn’t really have a ‘2’ (backup quarterback) last year, so it was just me getting reps with everyone else. But I wasn’t icing or doing any therapy on my shoulder.”
Shoulder therapy this summer has made all the difference for the junior quarterback.
“I’m doing a lot more band exercises,” Rosales said. “I have a couple of bands that help me with discomfort. It works on my rotator cuff. I also have my own weight workout. A lot of running and cardio, keeping the lactic acid out of my shoulder.
“Now is probably the best time to try and treat it the way that I’m supposed to and not have that pain again.”
Rosales and the first-team offense are working on a few wrinkles in advance of hosting McAllen Memorial in Pioneer’s season opener Friday night at Richard Thompson Stadium.
“It’s mostly the same offense as last year, but we’re simplifying more and running it quickly,” Rosales said. “It’s the same plays with one new formation. We’ll be changing up some play calls.”
The adjustment period has been relatively smooth for Rosales.
“Everything is slowing down for me,” Rosales said.
FATE IS NEVER LATE
The departure of Pioneer running back Christian Rivera was an unexpected one for the Diamondbacks. Rivera was the team’s leading rusher in 2016 with 788 yards to go along with seven rushing touchdowns.
Rivera transferring to PSJA High opened up the opportunity for rising senior Logan Harris to step into the void as Pioneer’s starting tailback.
“I’m just here to do whatever the coaches want me to do,” Harris said. “Whatever can help this team is what I’m going to do for them.”
Harris is one of only a few players who has spent his entire four-year career at the four-year-old school. During the 2015 season, Harris faced his toughest obstacle in Pioneer’s Week 5 matchup against Rio Grande City.
“I tore my right ACL and missed the rest of the season,” Harris said. “It wasn’t fun. It was a really down time for me, watching from the sidelines.”
Getting through this devastating injury couldn’t be done alone.
“My teammates just supported me throughout,” Harris said. “The coaches were there, too. I couldn’t have done it without them and my parents.”
Harris has been a running back at Pioneer since 2015 but has only 19 carries in exclusively reserve roles.
“I’m going to take on more of a leadership role this year,” Harris said. “That means showing the younger kids the ropes and that hard work always pays off.”
As Harris knows, his moment wouldn’t be possible without hard work.
“First off, I got to thank God for the opportunity,” Harris said. “It (tearing his ACL) made me realize everything could be gone in an instant. I have to give thanks that I’m able to do what I want to do.”
SENIORS SYNC IN THE SUMMER
Senior wide receiver Will Proctor and senior free safety Tyler Bulthuis were a part of history this summer. The seniors participated in Pioneer’s 7-on-7 team, which competed in the championship bracket at the state tournament for the first time.
“I really think being out there and building a bond with the 7-on-7 team was great for all of us,” Bulthuis said. “It’ll really prepare us for the season.”
Having the “senior” label is one thing Proctor relishes heading into his final year.
“It’s like being a coach on the field with the younger guys,” Proctor said. “The coaches don’t interact with them as much as the players do. Talking with them, making them feel comfortable and things like that. Not being harsh with them, but being friends with them. We want them to understand the winning culture we’re continuing to build here.”
SHARYLAND PIONEER’S PROGNOSIS
The Diamondbacks return enough starters on offense and a dominant linebacker in Angel Chapa to dethrone Laredo Nixon as district champions all on their own.
2016 record: 8-3
Returning starters (O/D): 6/4
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Jason Wheeler
Year at school: 4th
Record: 17-14