By Ramiro Paez

956sports.com

EDINBURG – The 2012 season is yet to begin and Edinburg High’s Jesse Garcia is already aware of the doubt surrounding his program.

“We’ve got a lot of people that think we’re not going to be as good as we’ve been because we lost a lot of talent,” Garcia said. “But, we’re here to prove them wrong and we’re going to go out and do our best this season.”

And really, that’s the only thing they can control.

What the senior wide receiver was referring to was the enrollment hit his Bobcats, more than any of the three high schools in Edinburg, took when the school district released the new rezoning map with the addition of Edinburg Vela, the city’s fourth high school. As Garcia says, some of those who transferred to play for the SaberCats this season were supposed to sport a Bobcats uniforms.

However, head coach Joey Caceres says the numbers game is something he isn’t even concerning himself with.

“We lost some kids, underclassmen,” Caceres said. “I’m not feeling it. I’m really not and I’m not even worried about it. I got to worry about what’s going on here at Edinburg High School and I’m not looking at anybody else.”

If the program can move past a rezoning hit that fast, then moving on from a season that was heavily dominated by all-purpose standout Sal Martinez shouldn’t be that difficult.

Or maybe just a little.

Martinez did it all for the Bobcats last season, playing offense, defense and special teams, and dazzled opponents with his big and explosive play-making ability. He also helped Edinburg High clinch its third consecutive playoff appearance.

So forget the program’s loss in numbers. The Bobcats’ biggest challenge this season will be finding and establishing a new identity, one that Martinez did with apparent ease in 11 games a year ago.

“We can’t rely on anyone from last year like Sal Martinez,” junior linebacker Armando Celedon said. “We have to make our own plays. We have to rely on people that nobody’s heard of. We have to come out strong.”

Caceres couldn’t agree more.

In order to maintain the success level and take that next step in a new District 30-5A, the Bobcats will need unproven players to take over.

“Somebody else will step up and take the bull by the horns,” Caceres said. “If it’s not one, it’s going to have to be two and the whole the team that’s going to make the difference.”

The Bobcats return three starters on offense, including quarterback Ramon Enriquez, who is in a position battle with Alex Cantu, and running back Victor Montemayor. Caceres says, although there is no frontrunner, at this point the offense looks to pick up where it left off with Enriquez under the helm.

The strength for Edinburg High may come on defense. The Bobcats have an experienced nucleus returning, including senior defensive tackle Isaiah Galvan, who Caceres had much praise for. The linebacker and secondary units should also help keep the Bobcats atop their new crop of district foes.

Returning Offensive Starters: 3

Returning Defensive Starters: 4

Returning Lettermen: 25

Offensive Players to Watch: Victor Montemayor, senior, RB; Jesse Garcia, senior, WR; Ricardo Arce, senior, guard

Defensive Players to Watch: Isaiah Galvan, senior, DT; Armando Celedon, junior, LB; Andrew Sanchez, junior, safety

Last Year’s Record: 6-5

Last Time Made Playoffs: 2011 (L – bi-district, San Benito 24-21)