FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — Under the cover of early morning darkness on Monday, Dan Gomez and his assistant coaches were at it again as the San Benito Greyhounds officially started their 2015 football campaign at 6 a.m.
With over 150 players on hand ranging from sophomores to seniors, Gomez knows the expectations that he faces this season.
“Honestly, coming in here we knew expectations were high and our kids, and our coaches have set the bar even higher. We pride ourselves on setting the standard of what an elite football program looks like,” said Gomez.
With the sun visibly tucked away below the horizon, the second-year head coach paced up and down the sidelines at Bobby Morrow Stadium, overlooking every aspect of his team.
From the offense to the defense, he watched and stared as his assistant coaches prepared his team for the long, grueling road ahead, providing guidance where needed.
“It feels good to get out here and coach up the boys,” said Gomez. “The expectations are high and we just coach the boys like they have been for the past 10 years.”
A year ago, Gomez was the new face in town and fans were looking for a positive response after a dismal 3-7 playoff-less 2013 season under then-coach Spencer Gantt.
But Gomez came in and immediately delivered, leading the Greyhounds to a 6-5 record and a playoff berth. And while it was a short postseason ride, it was a big step in the right direction.
In addition to making the playoffs, the ’Hounds defeated rival Harlingen 25-21 in the Battle of the Arroyo after erasing an 18-point deficit in the final five minutes of the contest. The team also claimed a share of the District 32-6A title.
However, Gomez knows the fans will expect more this time around.
After all, the team was in line to capture an outright league crown before it lost its final two regular-season games to Harlingen South and Brownsville Rivera, then fell to Weslaco East 42-14 in the opening round of the playoffs. The Greyhound faithful won’t likely forgive such an ending this season.
The Greyhounds open the preseason with a scrimmage at PSJA High at 6 p.m. on Aug. 14, follow that up with another scrimmage at home against PSJA North at 7p.m. on Aug. 20 and begin the regular season at Edinburg High on Aug. 28.
San Benito was one of the few Class 6A schools in the area to start two-a-days Monday.
Both Harlingen and Harlingen South participated in spring ball earlier this year and can’t begin preparations for their 2015 season until next Monday.