For the first time in at least 20 years, Santa Rosa is 4-0. And while the second portion of its schedule could look completely different after district gets under way Friday, coach Joe Marichalar is encouraged by how his team has looked during the first month of the season.
“Our confidence is very high right now, and we want to carry that with us,” Marichalar said. “We have that momentum, that winning mindset, where we believe anything is possible.”
At quarterback, Riley Fonesca has been a dual threat returning to his natural position. JJ Anaya, another senior, has been a workhorse, sharing ball-carrying duties with Carlos Medrano and Fonseca. At the center of it, however, Marichalar said, is an offensive line that’s been steadily progressing going into his fourth year at the helm.
Just as vital has been the Warriors’ stifling defense, which has kept UAT-Tamaulipas (Mexico), Pettus, La Villa and Brownsville Porter down by a combined score of 140-26.
That was non-district.
The next (real) test comes comes Friday when they open District 16-3A Division II action at Banquete.
“We know the records go out the window now,” Marichalar said. “It’s back to 0-0.
“We know it’s a tough challenge.”
Marichalar refers to the four Fs — focus, fearlessness, finish and faith — as the catalyst for the Warriors’ perfect start, earning a No. 3 ranking in the latest RGVSports.com Sub-5A Top 4 poll, along with No. 1 Port Isabel (3-0), No. 2 Brownsville St. Joseph (3-1) and No. 4 Santa Maria (4-0).
For the third straight game, Santa Rosa is on the road. And given the geographical makeup of their district competition, the Warriors are hardly phased by it. They have George West, Hebbronville, Odem and Taft in their district, with Monte Alto serving as its only Valley competition in 16-3A DII.
On one hand, the travel can be challenging, Marichalar said. But, on the other, it’s helped the Warriors focus a little more on the task at hand.
The Warriors beat Banquete 16-12 last year, and Marichalar expects the Bulldogs, who are 2-2 so far this year, to be just as competitive.
“It’s a big game,” he said. “They’re very, very explosive. They have a lot of talented kids. We know we have to be ready from the first play to the last play. But we’re eager to get district going, and God-willing our kids execute and play like they’re supposed to. If they do that, I think we’ll be fine.”
ALSO PERFECT
To date, Santa Maria is undefeated after facing La Vila (15-14), Bruni (42-0), Monte Alto (64-26) and Woodsboro (58-7).
It, too, begins district this week at Riviera Kaufer — a rematch of last year’s 55-0 win. After that, the Cougars face Refugio, Freer, Skidmore-Tyan, Three Rivers and Premont.
Through four games, junior quarterback Michael Alaniz has completed 19 of 31 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns against one interception. His favorite target has been Luis Otero (11 receptions, 284 yards, 3 TDs).
Alaniz has also rushed 20 times for 148 yards and two scores. He’s received support in the backfield from Daniel Martinez, who has amassed 475 yards on 59 carries (8.1 average) for 11 TDs.
After the opening week of the season, the Cougars tied with Santa Rosa for No. 4 in the RGVSports.com Sub-5A Top 4. Since then, the Cougars have held that distinction by themselves.
BOUNCING BACK NICELY
Rio Hondo opened the season ranked No. 3 and held that through its 73-20 season-opening win over Valley View.
After losing 27-24 to Port Isabel, then ranked No. 2, the Bobcats fell off the top 4.
Rio Hondo (3-1) has made strides since the narrow loss, beating Hidalgo 53-22 and then last week defeating San Diego 42-29 in the 16-3A DI opener. Its second district game is against Bishop on Friday.
Bishop (1-3) is coming off its first win of the season — a 28-7 victory over Lyford — after opening the year with three straight losses.
