Gonzalez’s Gators
By Reynaldo Leal
Twitter: @reynaldolealjr
There are 100 yards of green grass surrounded by shrubs and dust in La Grulla, Texas. In the middle of the Starr County “swamp” is Abel Gonzalez, and he is most definitely calling the shots for the Gators.
“This is game time,” he yells in between plays. “You have to FOCUS.”
The young coach, now in his third year at Grulla, is running around the field at full speed during Wednesday’s practice. The Gators are preparing for their game against PSJA Southwest, and he’s getting them prepared despite the built-in distractions of a homecoming in small town Texas football.
The parade and dance will have to wait though. For two hours Gonzalez runs the Gators through a series of scenarios that could happen on Friday. He physically shows his wide receivers how he expects them to explode off of the line of scrimmage and then teaches junior quarterback Reymundo Peñablanca how he should roll out of the pocket.
It is evident that the former Texas A&M Kingsville quarterback (99-02) enjoys what he’s doing, and he’s transmitting that to his team.
Last year the Gators made it into the playoffs for the first time in the new program’s history, with a 7-4 overall record. However, they essentially lost the district title by one point when they fell to the Rio Hondo Bobcats 14-13.
It’s one point Gonzalez will not dwell on as his Gators try to turn a new page as a newcomer in 32-3A this season.
“Every year we set high expectations,” Gonzalez said. “Getting to the playoffs, and not being one of the two teams left out, is always the goal. But that first district title is also important.”
The Gators will have more than adequate competition to prepare for their district run. They will square off against PSJA Southwest, Rio Hondo, Port Isabel, and Hidalgo before they can even begin to worry about Raymondville in Week 6.
“We’re definitely going into the gauntlet of our schedule,” Gonzalez said, “but we’re going to take it one practice and one game at a time.”
As the team leaves the practice field Gonzalez reminds them that doing the small things right during a game is the difference between and win and a loss. And then there’s the issue of when to arrive at La Grulla Elementary for the town’s homecoming parade.
Share this post:Related News
Readers Comments
Gonzalez’s Gators
By Reynaldo Leal
Twitter: @reynaldolealjr
There are 100 yards of green grass surrounded by shrubs and dust in La Grulla, Texas. In the middle of the Starr County “swamp” is Abel Gonzalez, and he is most definitely calling the shots for the Gators.
“This is game time,” he yells in between plays. “You have to FOCUS.”
The young coach, now in his third year at Grulla, is running around the field at full speed during Wednesday’s practice. The Gators are preparing for their game against PSJA Southwest, and he’s getting them prepared despite the built-in distractions of a homecoming in small town Texas football.
The parade and dance will have to wait though. For two hours Gonzalez runs the Gators through a series of scenarios that could happen on Friday. He physically shows his wide receivers how he expects them to explode off of the line of scrimmage and then teaches junior quarterback Reymundo Peñablanca how he should roll out of the pocket.
It is evident that the former Texas A&M Kingsville quarterback (99-02) enjoys what he’s doing, and he’s transmitting that to his team.
Last year the Gators made it into the playoffs for the first time in the new program’s history, with a 7-4 overall record. However, they essentially lost the district title by one point when they fell to the Rio Hondo Bobcats 14-13.
It’s one point Gonzalez will not dwell on as his Gators try to turn a new page as a newcomer in 32-3A this season.
“Every year we set high expectations,” Gonzalez said. “Getting to the playoffs, and not being one of the two teams left out, is always the goal. But that first district title is also important.”
The Gators will have more than adequate competition to prepare for their district run. They will square off against PSJA Southwest, Rio Hondo, Port Isabel, and Hidalgo before they can even begin to worry about Raymondville in Week 6.
“We’re definitely going into the gauntlet of our schedule,” Gonzalez said, “but we’re going to take it one practice and one game at a time.”
As the team leaves the practice field Gonzalez reminds them that doing the small things right during a game is the difference between and win and a loss. And then there’s the issue of when to arrive at La Grulla Elementary for the town’s homecoming parade.
