By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
On Monday, August 4, football practice will begin at 7 a.m. Players are encouraged to have their Rank One paperwork completed (online) and their athletic physicals completed, prior to the start of practices.
According to head coach Tony Villarreal, this year’s turnout will be on the low side compared to last season, which featured a large senior group. Villarreal said the turnout is due to the yearly “dips and flows” when it comes to participation. “We don’t have too much depth. We’ll see. We’ll try to develop as much as we can. I think last year we had 40-55 kids on the football team, I think we’ll have 35 this year. But we’ll be okay,” said Villarreal.
Although Coach Villarreal said the season outlook will be “tough” due to the loss of a large graduating class, he is encouraged by the return of a handful of returning seniors joining a very good junior group. Coach Villarreal said there will be talent all around. Players like Bryan Ramirez, Bryan Martinez, Edward Garza, Ryan Cinfuegos- “nobody got one of those”, Joe Alonso, Pedro Gomez- “that’s one in a lifetime”, Luis Ramos.
New coaching changes include former OL coach John Mark Calvillo’s promotion to Offensive Coordinator.
Calvillo takes over previous OC coach, Juan Torres, who went to Los Fresnos and is now coaching the Falcons’ offensive line.
Taking over the offensive line group will be Peter Garcia and new PI coach Gilbert Rodriguez. Coach Rodriguez will also be the new softball coach after having spent some time as an assistant at San Benito, where he helped the Greyhounds reach state-ranked status. “We hit the goldmine with (Rodriguez), I didn’t think we could get him”, said Villarreal.
Speaking of the new offensive line, Coach Villarreal said, “They’re all young, but they’re super talented. The two Vasquez brothers, Alonso, Jay Valdez, Pedro Gomez, they’re as talented as this last year’s group, but not as experienced,” he said. “The interior line will juniors. Probably the most talented kids we’ve ever had. It’s going to take a while, I think the first three or four games there’s going to be a lot of growing pains, but after those games, get ready, they’re going to be pretty good.”
Tuesday’s practice will also begin at 7 a.m., but on Wednesday practices will be changed to 4 p.m. as the coaching staff begins schoolwork services.
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