By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — One of the overarching storylines as Sharyland High approaches the next couple of seasons will almost assuredly center around its depth.
Following the Sharyland ISD split, the Rattlers’ feeder system of middle schools was divided in half, sharing the talent with Sharyland Pioneer. Last year, the Rattlers didn’t feel the effects of it. But heading into Year 2, it’ll be more of a concern, given they return only two starters on each side of the ball, after graduating 46 seniors.
“Our numbers decreased,” senior running back Sergio Tornero said, “but talent-wise, we’re still there.”
With 130 players in the program, Sharyland High has 30 fewer than last year. It intends to carry 55 players on varsity — a year after a senior-laden team went to the third round of the playoffs for a third consecutive season.
The near-perfect regular seasons the Rattlers posted the past three years — going 10-0, 10-0, 9-1 — will be even more of a challenge now, considering Edinburg Vela has gotten progressively better each year, coming within three points of tying Sharyland in 2014.
With 24 returning lettermen, the Rattlers expect to be competitive once again. But through the first couple of weeks of two-a-days, they’ve experienced a bit of a learning curve with acclimating 31 newcomers to the program.
Like with any split, the diminishment in numbers has taken a toll on the program, albeit on a small scale early on.
“Before, we used to have three or four backups in practice, but this year that’s the difference,” defensive end Beto Ruiz said. “If we lose one guy, we get a little more worried about it. Sometimes defensive guys have to go to the O-line and vice versa, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.
“Maybe before we were a little more rested, but there’s always someone stepping up. It all still runs smoothly.”
RELOADING AT QB
Last year, the Rattlers went into the season with a trio of capable quarterbacks, with a plan in mind to rotate between two of them. Following their graduation, Sharyland has reloaded with three new signal callers.
Seth Carter, previously an outside receiver, will start under center. He’s gotten the majority of the reps during practice, impressing coach Ron Adame with his poise in the pocket. Like last year, Adame will look for his quarterback to be a bit of a playmaker in their spread offense.
He said Carter “has the ability to make things happen with his legs,” much like his backup Manny Campos, who played slot receiver last season. The two, Adame said, are “almost carbon copies of each other with what they bring physically” and in the run game.
Daniel Lince, a transfer from Valley View, is also in that mix. A starter last year, Lince went through most of the spring ball and 7-on-7 with Sharyland. Through the first two weeks of two-a-days, he’s shown to have a good grasp of the playbook.
PICKING UP THE ‘D’
Bringing back just one returner at linebacker, the Sharyland defense will have a new look this year. Adame still plans to go with a 3-4 front, utilizing its speed and quickness.
Ruiz, along with linebackers Edgar Gomez and Dylan Salinas, are at the center of that attack, trying to sustain the third-stingiest in district a year ago.
“We’re all looking for that last big hurrah, so it makes us go harder,” Ruiz said of the senior trio. “It’s a little extra motivation.”
Adame called Gomez “the nucleus” of the defense, saying he’s developed good chemistry with the two other seniors. Salinas, for his part, inherits a large role at middle linebacker, where he’s improved his communication and identifying formations.
Trevor Hausenfluck, a JV player last year, figures to see playing time at nose guard. Brandon Garcia and Romeo De Leon expect to be key pieces at cornerback.
NEW FACES
With vacancies across the boards on offense, the Rattlers are looking to plug in juniors into starting roles.
Adolfo Treviño, an offensive lineman, has impressed with his run- and pass-block. Adame called him a “blue-collar” player who carries the “typical nastiness” of a lineman. Brandon Molina also joins him there, after playing JV the year before. Molina was a wrestler last year.
An offensive tackle, Carlos Salinas has caught the eye of the coaching staff in his first year of varsity with his leadership skills.
PROGNOSIS
With only a couple returning starters on both sides of the ball, plenty will fall on Sharyland’s newcomers and youth to help fill in gaps. With 24 returning lettermen, they have enough to make the playoffs again, though the district title will be an uphill battle.
Projected 2015 Record: 9-3
COACH’S TENURE
Coach’s Name: Ron Adame
Year at Sharyland: Fourth
Record at Sharyland: 35-4
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