By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — The countdown to the single most important question Sharyland High faces this year began back in November, when its season came to a close.
After years of playing with the same nucleus, how would the Rattlers, winners of three consecutive district titles and three regional quarterfinal appearances, reload in 2015?
They enjoyed plenty of success, arguably more than any other football program in the Valley, over the past three years. They came within one win of posting three consecutive perfect regular seasons. And they did it with a group of seniors that had largely played together since their middle school days.
But rebuilding — or reloading — will come with a different set of circumstances this time around. For the past couple of years now, the Rattlers have graduated an average 40 players each season. But those numbers could be more difficult to replace with the opening of Sharyland Pioneer.
Because of the split, the Rattlers’ feeder system was cut in half, to one, with B.L. Grey Junior High students continuing to go to Sharyland, while Sharyland North Junior High students are being rerouted to Pioneer.
It will undoubtedly affect their depth moving forward. To what extent that impacts their year-to-year success, though, remains uncertain.
Even though Sharyland is graduating what Ron Adame describes as “a special group,” the fourth-year coach is optimistic about the next batch coming up.
“We see the difference in numbers (since the split), but as far as the boys’ effort and what we’re doing as far as the schedule that we’re following, everything is basically the same,” Adame said. “We’ve got a good nucleus, and we have good skill players. The depth may be an issue, but I think that’s maybe the norm for everybody. We just have to stay healthy, like every other year.”
“Our boys have bought into the program,” he continued. “They’ve seen the successes of past teams, and they’re ready to carry the torch.”
Between the JV and varsity teams, Sharyland is carrying 132 players. It loses 46 seniors, but it brings in 38 more. Only five starters are back in the mix, including three on defense.
Through the first two weeks of spring practices, Adame has reinforced a system that has been in place since his players were in middle school. By and large, it remains the same, with a few tweaks added to conform to their personnel. Speed and quickness, though, remain an area of emphasis on both ends of the ball.
To simplify things early, Adame selected only a handful of plays to focus on, and his players have executed that to exhaustion.
They’ll look to new figures now to fill important roles, such as the quarterback position, which graduates three starters; running back, which could see Sergio Tornero (the younger brother of Rudy Tornero, the 2014 All-Valley Defensive Player of the Year) stepping in; and an offensive line that bids adieu five starters.
“We’re all aware that since the split and since we lost so many players, a lot of people are talking about how Sharyland is not going to be the same,” senior defensive end Beto Ruiz said. “It’s like an aroma that’s been around us since we split, but Coach keeps encouraging us.
“It’s always been the same. We’ve always had big players and we lose them all, and next year we come up with more big players. It’s not like we lose players and we’re not going to come up with new players. I think that’s been our motivation this spring ball. Since the split and everything that happened, that’s what been keeping us fighting.”
NEW QB
Sharyland is in search of a new quarterback after graduating last year’s trio. Five players are auditioning for the starting role, with Seth Carter as the frontrunner for the job.
Last year, Carter was an inside slot receiver for the Rattlers, posing an ability to take the ball for long runs. His accuracy this past week has impressed Adame, who said the senior-to-be looks comfortable in the pocket.
Carter has read his keys well and has been on point in identifying coverages. His “generalship,” experience and patient in the pocket has vaulted his name to the top of the list. He’ll battle for it with Manny Campos, who was a receiver last season.
The two are expected to see plenty of action, either as wideout or QB. Adame described both as runners, with Campos being ”unbelievably fast, like a cat,” while possessing a strong arm. He did, however, warn that neither would “win a 100-yard dash,” just that they possess the right amount of football speed.
Daniel Lince, a senior transfer from Valley View, is also vying for the job, along with Kale Cator. The junior-to-be, who has size at 6 feet, 180 pounds, played JV last year. Alan Alvarez, who will be a junior, is also in the mix after only one season as a full-time starter.
CLEAN SLATE
After graduating their entire offensive line, Sharyland will start anew. Brandon Molina, Adolfo Trevino and Gilbert Trevino have stood out as potential starters. Adame said they’ve shown chemistry with one another, and they’re familiar with the schemes.
“You could count on them,” Adame said. “There’s consistency there.”
The Rattlers bring back only one player (cornerback Sebastian Toledo) from its secondary. And while they return Dylan Salinas and Edgar Gomez, they’re still looking to stabilize their linebacker positions.
SHARYLAND HIGH
Returning Starters (offense/defense): 2/3
Returning Lettermen: 28
Key Players: QB/WR Seth Carter, QB/WR Manny Campos, WR Nathan Gonzalez, RB Sergio Tornero, DE Beto Ruiz, OLB Dylan Salinas, CB Sebastian Toledo
Biggest question mark: Can Sharyland sustain success after split?
2014 record: 11-2