BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
ROMA – After the preseason officially began with a “Midnight Madness” practice on Aug. 14, the dust is settling and the honeymoon phase is nearly over for new Roma coach Frank Villanueva. His first game as head coach will be against La Joya Palmview 10 days from now. Time to get down to business.
“The kids have been working hard since the beginning of the summer,” Villanueva said. “We haven’t had the turnout that we wanted with incoming freshmen, but our main varsity kids have been here all summer.”
Villanueva was named head coach on July 3, replacing Max Habecker Jr., who became the linebackers coach at Edinburg North. Villanueva served as Habecker’s defensive coordinator for seven seasons.
“I was the wrestling head coach here (at Roma) for two years, but this is my first head football job,” Villanueva said. “I appreciate the school board for having the confidence to hire me. I’m going to work my tail off and reward them.”
When Habecker announced he would be leaving Roma, he recommended to the district that Villanueva be named the interim coach.
“One thing the kids liked was when the board named me the interim,” Villanueva said. “Most of the kids that played defense for me seemed to like that. They were used to me. When I got the job full-time, there wasn’t any adjustment.”
Villanueva wants to continue the Habecker iteration of Roma football despite his departure.
“Defensively, we’re planning on keeping the same scheme,” Villanueva said. “We’ve always had suffocating defenses. Offensively, we’re going to run the ball first and control the clock. But we are going to try and throw the ball a little bit more. Mix it up a little bit.”
Handling the day-to-day has been the biggest adjustment for Villanueva.
“I was always used to Max being there and I being his first assistant, so I only saw him deal with those things and I never had to worry about them,” Villanueva said. “Now that I’m the one making all the decisions, it’s a little hectic. Getting things ready for the season, ordering stuff, making bus requisitions. It’s a little bit different.”
Villanueva and Habecker still enjoy an open line of communication.
“Coach and I still keep in touch,” Villanueva said. “We text or call if I have any questions about anything or if I’m looking for advice.”
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Senior safety Frank Villanueva, who sometimes goes by “Pancho,” is like his father in some respects. The younger Villanueva has the same first name as his dad, Roma coach Frank Villanueva, but not the same full name. The younger Villanueva’s full name is Frank Leonel Villanueva, which is the same name as his grandfather on his mother’s side.
Technically, Frank Leonel is not a junior because he and his father have different middle names.
Nevertheless, coach Villanueva shared his love of football with his son at a very young age.
“He got me into peewee football in the fifth grade,” Frank Leonel said. “At first, I didn’t like it, because I sucked. But then I got better, and my dad helped me get better. I like playing now. It’s the only thing I look forward to doing during the day.”
Frank Leonel played the last two years under his dad while he was Roma’s defensive coordinator. The day his father got the promotion was a double-edged sword for Frank Leonel.
“I was happy for him, but I feel like I needed to step it up, because I’m his son,” Frank Leonel said.
The younger Villanueva was already a three-year letterman and a returning second-team all-district safety for a defense that allowed the fewest points in 31-5A.
“Stepping it up means more time in the weight room and not missing days or going half speed,” Frank Leonel said. “Just going 100 percent in front of the coaches and everyone.”
“He matured slowly, but now you can tell the difference between him as a sophomore and him as an incoming senior,” coach Villanueva said. “He’s turned into a leader, so I’m excited about that. But it makes this year even more exciting that I get to be the head coach as my son plays his senior year of football at Roma.”
QUARTERBACK COMPETITION
Coach Villanueva says he has yet to decide on the team’s starting quarterback this season. Vying for the title are senior Jesus Villarreal, who served as Roma’s varsity backup quarterback in 2016, and junior Marco Garcia, the JV quarterback a season ago.
“In my opinion, Jesus can run the ball a little bit better and mechanics-wise, Marco has better ball control,” Villanueva said.
Garcia has adjusted his game for the varsity level.
“I’m best at throwing on the run, read option and things like that,” Garcia said.
Villarreal has had looks with the first-team offense so far in practice.
“The playbook is a little more open than it was last year,” Villarreal said. “I also think I’m going to be more vocal with my line and my receivers than I was before.”
Roma will scrimmage against Edinburg High on Friday.
ROMA’S PROGNOSIS
The Gladiators return a strong defense, but the difference between a return to the playoffs and missing out could come down to their quarterback play.
2016 record: 5-5
Returning starters O/D: 3/5
COACH’S TENURE
Coach: Frank Villanueva
Year at school: 1st
Record: 0-0