The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 89, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 22, 1991 Page: 4 of 12
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RIO GRANDE HERALD • Thursday, Aug. 22,1991, Page 4
Rattlers gear up to surprise 1991 football foes
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
A youthful and enthusiastic Rio
Grande City Rattler team is eagerly
gearing up for the 1991 football
season with high hopes of
springing a surprise on their
unsuspecting District 31-5A foes
and climbing into playoff
contention.
Rattler Head Coach Jorge Luis
Pcna exulted, "The attitude is ideal
with a capital I...They're looking
great in practice. The attitude is as
good as you can get They're going
to be a lot of fun to coach this
year."
Pena added, "They came in better
shape than ever before. They're a
notch higher in excitement than
ever before."
The Rattlers, who began fall
practice on Monday, Aug. 12, will
be aiming for substantial
improvement from a 3-7 season and
1-5 district mark in 1990.
About the team's outlook, Pena
commented, "I think we're going to
be respectable. Rattler fans will be
proud of the team this year. We're
going to be the best that we can
be."
Pcna emphasized, "This year
we're going to two-platoon, because
we have enough depth to do so. The
kids are concentrating on just one
thing. The kids arc going to be in
better condition than ever before."
The coach noted that "the
majority of our squad is made up of
underclassmen. We have three
seniors starting on offense and three
on defense. We could have three
sophomore starters, with one of
them on offense." The team's
relative inexperience make heart and
desire even more important
characteristics, emphasized Pcna.
About the offensive outlook,
Pcna said, "We don't have a single
starter returning on offense, but 1
expect us to be a lot more
productive this year."
He added, "We're going to
continue to use our multiple
offense (Slot I and Slot T). The
entire program is now based on this
offense. The coaches are doing a
good job in the lower grades of
leaching this offense."
Pena continued, "Offensively,
we're going to stay very basic and
work at playing errorless football.
We're going to go back to basic
fundamentals and techniques."
The coach predicted, "We're going
to try to pass the ball a little
more...All our backs will be
utilized in the passing game. Our
goal is to do as well throwing the
ball as we did in 1989." In 1989,
the team achieved almost 1200
yards passing, which was a big
reason the Rattlers had a 7-3 record
and the most productive offense in
District 31-5A.
Pena emphasized that senior
quarterbacks Mike Ramos (205
pounds) and Chofo De La Cruz
(160 pounds) are both being
counted on to make enemy defenses
respect the Rattler passing game.
Pena said about Ramos, "He's a
big strong quarterback who throws
the ball real well and accurately. He
has a very strong arm and can throw
the ball deep. He is developing
more touch on both his short and
long passes."
Pena added, "When he (Ramos)
has to run the ball, he will get the
tough yards when we need them.
His execution has improved
dramatically."
In limited duty last year, Ramos
completed 10 of 28 passes for 237
yards and two touchdowns.
About Chofo Dc La Cruz, Pcna
commented. "He really has good
touch on the ball. He has a good
attitude and is very coachablc. Both
our quarterbacks are really showing
good leadership with their work
habits."
The coach stressed, "We have a
young, talented and dedicated crop
of running backs. All of our
running backs will play vital
roles...All our backs will be
utilized in the passing game. We
hope to add some wrinkles to our
offense, especially our option
game."
Junior Laco Florcs (175 pounds)
will see plenty of action at
halfback. Pena said of Flores, "He
has tremendous strength and good
speed. He loves to play the game.
We're going to utilize him as a
power runner. He's capable of
breaking the distance, and he also
has good hands in the passing
game."
In very limited action in 1990,
Flores averaged almost five yards
per carry.
Junior speedster Carlos Vela (145
pounds) is expected to be one of the
district's most explosive players at
tailback. Pena said that Vela "has
all kinds of talent. He's a
well-rounded player and an
outstanding athlete."
The coach added, "He (Vela)
played receiver last year. He's going
to play tailback, but we're going to
throw the ball a lot to both him and
Laco. We'll try to get him the ball
as often as possible. We're going to
depend on him on both kickoff and
punt returns."
As a sophomore wide receiver,
Vela caught seven passes for 210
yards and two touchdowns. He
returned eight punts for 108 yards,
or an average of 13.5 yards per
return.
Providing backup help for both
Flores and Vela will be junior Tony
Cantu (160). Pena said of Cantu,
"He has fine speed; he's extremely
dedicated. We will try to give him
as much playing lime as possible.
We'll try to bring him along
gradually."
Three players will be relied on to
supply offensive power from the
fullback position. Pena said that
sophomore Noe Gonzalez "is not
real big, but he is very lough,
strong, and shifty. He runs a 4.8
forty and has a good head on his
shoulder. He is very dedicated."
Pena noted that senior Vale Dc
La Garza (150) "runs a 4.7 forty and
has good speed. He's very
coachable." De La Garza formerly
played at a receiver position.
Another fullback candidate is
junior Chago Carrion. Pena said,
"He has excellent strength. He has
great hands, good speed and good
balance." Carrion saw very limited
playing time at the tailback
position in 1990.
Pcna declared that wide receivers
Eddie Gonzalez (165), Edgar Santos
(135), and Leonard Fuentes (135)
"all have good hands, run good
routes and are very coachable. They
execute their responsibilities well.
They block hard and well, and they
hang on to the ball. They all have
good speed."
Pena predicted, "We think these
players will be capable of catching
some deep passes." Santos and
Fuentes are seniors, while Gonzalez
is a junior.
Senior Gus Olivarez, who started
at outside linebacker in 1990, will
be the starter at tight end. Pena
commented, "His strong points are
quickness, aggressiveness, attitude,
determination, and speed (a 4.7
forty). He will hang on to the ball
when he has to. He is a determined
blocker."
The coach indicated that the
Rattlers have a youthful, but
talented and dedicated offensive line.
Senior Arturo Trevino (220) is
being counted on as the starter at
strong tackle. Pena commented,
"He's a good athlete and is one of
the strongest players on the team.
We think he can be one of the top
tackles in the district. He is
showing a lot of leadership
qualities.
Junior Otoniel Garcia (200) will
see the bulk of the action at strong
guard. Pena concluded, "He's a
tough, hard-nosed kid who is very
aggressive. I'm expecting big
things from him."
Junior Jake Margo (190), who
saw limited playing time in 1990,
is cxpccted to be the starting center.
Pcna said about Margo, "He is a
very bright football player. Pound
for pound, he is a very strong
lineman. He is naturally motivated
from within. Jake totally masters
every aspect of his game. He could
conceivably be the top center in the
district."
Junior Victor Maldonado (155)
1991
Notice of Effective l ax Rate
Properly Tax Rates in
HOSPITAL DISTRICT
This notice
concerns
1991
property tax rate* for HOSPITAL DIST.
It presents information
about three tax r^Ui Lav. year's tax rate is the actual rate the taxing unit used to determine property taxes las: year. This year's
effective tax rate would impose the jams total taxes as last year if you compare properties taxed in both years This year's
rollback tax rate is the highest tax rate the taxing unit can set before taxpayers can start tax rollback procedures. In each case
these rates are found b> dividing the total amount of taxes by the tax base (the total value of taxable property ) with adjustments
as required by state lav, The rates are given per SI00 of property value
Last year's tax rate:
Last year's operating taxes
Last year's debt taxes
Last year's total taxes
Last year's lax base
Last year's total tax rate
This year's effective tax rate:
Last year's adjusted taxes
(after subtracting taxes on lost property)
This year's adjusted lax base
(after subtracting value of new properly)
This vear's effective tax rate
1 ,288,312.
-0-
S
$
$
$ 681,646,630.
S -1890
1.288.312.
/SI 00
S 1,288,134.
726,308,220.
.17 7 3 /SI0°
(In the first year a cih ur count, collects the additional sales lax it must insert the folio* ing lines unless it
made its first adjustment last year:)
— Sales lax adjustment rate S / S100
Lffeclivc lax rate
N'/A
/SI 00
1 03 ~ maximum rate unless unit publishes
notices and holds hearing
T his year's rollback tax rate:
I-a-; year's adjusted operating taxes
laftc! subtracting taxes on lost property)
Thi* year's adjusted lax base
This year's effective operating rate
72 for school district (or zero)
1.08 (or add S 08 for schools) - this year's
maximum operating rate
This vear's debt rate
.1826 S100
1,288,134.
726.308.220.
.1773
/S100
- 0 -
.1915
/S100
- n -
/S100
(.4 $ch> >ol district mu.<! insert the following lines)
This year's rollback rate before adjustment S
Rate to recoup lost rev enue S
= Adjusted rollback rate S
5100
/S 10(1
/S100
This year's rollback rate
.1915 /SI0°
(A ah i r count\ that collects the additional sales tax <including one thai collects the tax for the first
rime thu year/ must tns> n the following lines )
— Sales tax adjustment rate S
= Rollback tax rate J
/S100
/SIOO
will also see playing time at center.
Pena evaluated him as "an
extremely bright kid. He has a great
attitude and loves thqgame."
The coach contended that senior
quick guard Juan Garcia (150) "may
be our quickest lineman. His
dedication is tremendous. He saw
some defensive action in 1990."
Garcia is likely to split playing
time at the quick guard position
with junior Huber Trevino (190).
Pena concluded that Trevino "may
be our best natural athlete (in the
line). He works as hard at
everything he does as anyone I've
seen."
The two contenders for playing
time at the quick tackle position are
sophomore Macario Salinas (220)
and junior Joe Gomez (215). Pena
noted that Salinas "is an honor
student. He has desire written all
over him."
The coach indicated that Gomez
"is our strongest lineman, along
with Art Trevino. He is very
intense and dedicated."
Pena stressed about both the
offensive line and the entire team,
"I can't say enough about these
kids. I know they'll give me
everything they've got."
About the defense, Pena
commented, "We're going to play
smart defense, but be more
aggressive than ever before. I feci
better about our defense lhan 1 have
in a long lime."
Pcna contended that the defense
will see definite improvement
because of the presence and efforts
of new defensive coordinator Fred
Sanchez. He noted, "Fred Sanchez
was consistently all-district in Rio
Grande City. He comes from a
famed football family. He has
excellent rapport with the kids."
Pcna added, "Fred Sanchez will
make a big difference as our
defensive coordinator. He makes a
big difference in the attitude of the
kids."
The head coach continued, "We're
going to learn to play our base
defense. We're going to strive for
perfection in our keys, but stunt
hard when we have to. We'll be a
go-gct-thcm type of defense and
very aggressive."
On the defensive line, senior
defensive end Mario Gutierrez (170)
is a returning starter, having
achieved Honorable Mention
All-District honors in 1990. Pena
commented that Gutierrez "has
excellent quickness and is a very
hard hitter."
Junior defensive tackle Corrando
Cantu (205) is another returning
starter. Pena indicated, "He's
someone we're really depending on
to make things happen. He has
tremendous athletic ability, and is
perhaps our best lineman on either
side of the ball. We're counting on
him to be tremendous in defending
against both the run and ihe pass."
Junior Bert Vela (205) will see
plenty of playing time at defensive
lackle. Pcna noted, "Coach Rosas is
real high on him. He calls him a
natural defensive lineman. He will
be very lough against the run from
sideline to sideline. He has an
excellent attitude."
Pcna termed senior defensive end
Juan Cansino (175) "our most
pleasant surprise this year. He has
improved by 2(X) percent; he is our
most improved player. He'll be
strong against the run and put
plenty of pressure on enemy
quarterbacks."
Sophomore Oscar Ozuna (195) is
also cxpcctcd to sec plenty of
playing ume at defensive end. Ihe
head coach noted that he "runs a 5.1
forty and is very strong. He is as
dedicated as he is talented."
Junior tackle John Rosas (250)
and sophomore tackle Ray Lope/
(275) will be counted on to provide
backup help in the line. Pcna
indicated that Rosas "is tough,
strong and aggressive." He
contended that Lopez "has a lot of
potential."
At the inside lincbacker position,
Pcna termed junior Arinin Solis
(194) "the most natural hitter on
the team. He started about six
games last year. He started the first
couple of games in the line. He's
very strong against the run."
The coach noted that sophomore
D.J. Florcs (170) "is an honor
student. He has the potential to
becomc one of the school's elite
linebackers. He has great
intelligence, strength and
intensity."
Pcna indicated that junior J J
Gonzalez (170) "will be rotating
with these other linebackers. He's
another pleasant surprise. He has
excellent speed for an inside
lincbackcr. He can cover ground in
a hurry."
Pena contended that "all of our
linebackers have fine ability to
control the passing game of
opponents."
At the outside linebacker
position, junior Marco Bazan (150)
started the last two games of the
1990 campaign. Pcna said of him,
"Pound for pound, he and his
cousin Alex may be the hardest
hitlers on the team. He has
excellent football instincts and has
great quickness and aggressiveness."
Senior Domingo Pachcco (150)
will also sec ample playing time at
outside lincbackcr. The coach
commented that "he has a deep
burning desire to play football."
Senior Eloy Amador (140) will
provide backup help at this
position.
At the corncrback position,
senior Chcina Aldrclc (140) started
the entire 1990 season. Pena noted
that Aldrctc "runs a 4.6 forty. He
covcrs a lot of ground and can stay
with any receiver. He's a very solid
defensive back."
Senior Tony Avila (120) will
also be counted on for quality play
at corncrback. Pena indicated, "Ik s
our fastest player in the forty at
4.5. He's as quick as a cat. We
expect gcxxl things from him."
Pcna also praised junior
corncrback Omar Gucrra (135) by
saying thai "he lias a real gtxxJ nose
for the football.
Junior Alex Bazan (140) will Ik
one of the captains and a starter ai
the safety position. Pcna
commented, "Wc will count on him
heavily for leadership and to
quarterback the defense. He's a very
fine leader. He's an excellent tackier
and is extremely aggressive. He's
the ideal free safety; he started the
last couple of games in 1990."
Others who will sec playing time
at ihe defensive backficld arc senior
Orel Solis and corncrback Josue
Prcza. Solis, who had an
outstanding season as a pitcher and
third baseman for the 1991 Rattler
baseball team, will learn the free
safety position. Pcna said, "He's a
responsible kid; wc expect good
things from him."
Ihe placckicker will he junior
Ronald Smith. Pcna commented
about Smith, "He can get the ball
to the goal line on kickofls and can
consistently kick field goals from a
gcxxl distance."
The punting duties will be
handled by Chago Carrion and/or
Chcma Aldrctc. Pcna noted that
these players will have big shoes to
fill because the graduated Javier
Garcia was the All-District punier
ihe past two seasons.
About the District 31-5 A
ouilixik, Pcna commented, "I think
ihe district will be tough from top
to bottom. But 1 think there will be
a lot of surprises.'
He added, "Mission clearly has
die upper hand, and McAllen High
probably has the finest athletes
returning. Edmburg has a lot ol
quality seniors returning. They have
good size. PSJ A has a lot ol
numbers. They will be tough, even
though they lost a lot of playcis u,
graduation. Memorial is always'
dangerous...Mission can he as good
as last year if everything falls into
place.''
Pena emphasized, I don't think
there will he any pushovers at all
Anybody can beat anybody on a
given night."
Pena stressed, "I think we'll be a
more polished team than last year.
He predicted that the Rattlers will
be a factor in the district race il
everything falls into place.
1 he Rattlers will tune up lor the
1991 season with scrimmages
against Roma in Rio Grande City
on Friday, Aug. 23 and on the road
against Harlingen on Friday, Augi
30.
Ihe Rattlers will begin the
regular season at home on Friday.
Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. against the
Laredo United Longhorns.
Ihe Rattlers' district opener will
be at home on Friday, Sept. 27 at
7:30 p.m. against the PSJA Beats.
I his year's District 31-5A seasoil
will Icaturc the debut of the new
Edinburg North High School
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 89, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 22, 1991, newspaper, August 22, 1991; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195303/m1/4/: accessed May 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.