Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 25, 2005 Page: 4 of 6
six pages : ill. ; page 22 x 14 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Rio Grande Herald-Thursday, August 25, 2005, Page 4
Young Rattler team gears up for 2005 season with high hopes
By KENNETH ROBERTS
Managing Editor
The youthful but talented Rio
Grande City Rattlers are eagerly
preparing for the 2005 football
season with high hopes and
confidence that they will leapfrog
their District 30-5A opponents and
achieve a berth in the state playoffs.
Head Coach Gregorio Lara, about
to begin his second season as the
Rattler football skipper, commented
last week, "I like the attitude of the
kids. Their morale is so positive
We have numbers this year. We
expect to carry 55 to 56 (players)
on the varsity. We are at least two-
deep at every position."
"Expectations are real high; the
kids are motivated and working
extra," emphasized Lara. "They
have a definite and strong feeling
that something good is going to
happen. The kids and coaches are
shooting for a playoff spot."
The coach insisted, "I feel that
with good fortune and lack of
injuries, we'll have an excellent
season and reach the playoffs. 1 feel
we are due for a strong season. The
kids are well-motivated this
year...The kids are much more
confident about the future of the
program...The kids are determined
to pay the price this year."
Lara noted, "We began two-a-day
workouts on Aug. 8. We began
full-fledged workouts with full gear
and pads on Aug. 12. We began
working out in shorts on Aug. 8."
Lara stressed, "We had a good
offseason. We had a real good
spring session with 16 days of
spring workouts. The community
is excited about the upcoming
season."
"If we stay healthy, we feel we're
as good as any other team,"
contended the Rattler mentor.
"Talent-wise, I think we can match
up with anybody."
Lara noted, "We had five starters
returning on offense and four on
defense. We have 25 lettermen
returning."
In its 2005 preseason preview,
Texas Football magazine indicates
that the Rattlers have six starters
and 21 lettermen returning from the
2004 team. The magazine stated
that three starters return on offense
and three on defense.
Lara emphasized, "We intend to
go strictly two-platoon this year.
Players will only play both ways in
critical situations."
About the offensive outlook, the
coach explained, "We're going to
have a 50-50 offense. We intend to
both run and throw the ball. We
will use a spread offense. It was a
new offense last year, but we think
it will be much more potent this
year."
"We will use plenty of motion,"
declared the coach. "We will run the
option from multiple formations.
We expect to throw the ball more
than last year. We will take what
the opposing defense gives us."
Senior Severo Vela (165 pounds)
and junior Ezequiel Sosa (155) are
the candidates at quarterback. Lara
said of Vela, "He played defense and
a little bit of offense last year. He
has speed; he's very coachable and
can make things happen. He can
throw the ball; he has a strong
arm."
Lara noted that Sosa started a
couple of games in 2004. He
stressed, "He saw plenty of varsity
action last year. He showed a lot of
potential last year. We expect him
to be even more polished and
effective this year. He's an excellent
athlete who can make things
happen. He is especially dangerous
on a broken play. He has excellent
speed and an exceptionally strong
arm."
The coach emphasized that "both
quarterbacks will see significant
action this year."
Senior Roel Garza (170) is
entering his third season as the
starter at tailback. Lara noted that
Garza rushed for 883 yards in only
six games in 2004, with injuries
holding him out of three games.
The coach contended. "We feel we
have one of the best running backs
in the district and the Valley."
"He has tremendous speed; he has
exceptional moves and can cut on a
dime," commented the coach. "He
can also carve out the tough yardage
between the tackles. He is tough to
bring down."
Against Mercedes last year. Gar/a
registered one of the greatest
offensive performances in Rattler
history with 260 yards on 19 carries
and three touchdowns, including
scoring romps of 72 and 59 yards.
Also in 2004, Garza scorched the
McAllen High Bulldogs for 194
yards on 13 attempts and three
rushing touchdowns. He also
returned a kickoff 100 yards for a
touchdown against the Bulldogs.
Garza also collected 97. 93. and
82 yards rushing against Roma.
Sharyland and McAllen Nikki
Rowe, respectively, with his 51-
yard run against the Gladiators
setting up a touchdown.
In 2003, his sophomore season.
Garza rushed for 150 yards against
Edinburg North. 134 yards against
La Joya, and 112 yards against
Roma.
Lara predicted that sophomore
Ernesto Garza (150) has a
promising future at tailback. The
coach commented, "He has
tremendous speed. He'll be
available for backup duly ai
tailback. We expect him to see
significant action at receiver."
Junior Leo Lopez (160) is also
available at tailback, but will
probably see more playing time at
fullback. Lara predicted, "He will
see a lot of action at fullback. He
will probably be the starting
fullback. He is very strong and has
a lot of speed. He is very
intelligent. He will carry (lie ball a
significant number of times."
Senior Marcos Leija (160) saw
significant action at fullback last
year. Lara emphasized, "He will
again see a lot of action. He's a
powerful runner with strong legs,
especially inside the 20."
"We feel we have real good
backfield talent and depth," declared
the Rattler mentor. "We have kids
with good speed and good hands."
Senior Rene Martinez (155) is a
returning starter at flanker. Lara
contended, "He has excellent hands;
he'll catch anything that is near
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION AND
INTENT TO OBTAIN A WATER QUALITY PERMIT RENEWAL
PERMIT NO. WQ0010802001
APPLICATION. City of Rio Grande City, P.O. Box 19, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582, has applied to the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to renew Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(TPDES) Permit No. WQ0010802001 (EPA ID No. TX0068764) to authorize the discharge of treated wastewa-
ter at a volume not to exceed an annual average flow of 1,500,000 gallons per day. The wastewater treatment fa-
cility is located on the north bank of the Rio Grande, approximately 0.5 mile upstream of the International Bridge
(Farm-to- Market Road 755) on the Old Fort Ringgold Site east of Rio Grande City in Starr County, Texas. The
discharge route is from the plant site to the Rio Grande below Falcon Reservoir. This application was submitted to
the TCEQ on August 8, 2005. The permit application is available for viewing and copying at the Rio Grande City
City Hall, 101 South Washington Street, Rio Grande City. Texas.
The TCEQ executive director has determined the application is administratively complete and will conduct a tech-
nical review of the application. After completion of the technical review, the TCEQ will issue a Notice of Appli-
cation and Preliminary Decision.
PUBLIC COMMENT / PUBLIC MEETING. You may submit public comments or request a public meet-
ing about this application. The purpose of a public meeting is to provide the opportunity to submit comments or
to ask questions about the application. The TCEQ will hold a public meeting if the executive director determines
that there is a significant degree of public interest in the application or if requested by a local legislator. A public
meeting is not a contested case hearing.
Written public comments or requests for public meeting must be submitted to the Office of the Chief Clerk,
MC 105, TCEQ, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087.
ADDITIONAL NOTICE. After technical review of the application is complete, the executive director may pre-
pare a draft permit and will issue a preliminary decision on the application. Notice of the Application and Pre-
liminary Decision will be published and mailed to those who are on the county-wide mailing list or the
mailing list for this application. That notice will contain the final deadline for submitting public comments.
OPPORTUNITY FOR A CONTESTED CASE HEARING. After the deadline for public comments, the ex-
ecutive director will consider the comments and prepare a response to all relevant and material, or significant pub-
lic comments. The response to comments, along with the executive director's decision on the application,
will be mailed to everyone who submitted public comments or who requested to be on the mailing list for
this application. If comments are received, the mailing will also provide instructions for requesting recon-
sideration of the executive director's decision and for requesting a contested case hearing. A contested ease-
hearing is a legal proceeding similar to a civil trial in a state district court.
A contested case hearing will only be granted based on disputed issues of fact that are relevant and material to the
Commission's decision on the application. Further, the Commission will only grant a hearing on issues that were
raised during the public comment period and not withdrawn. The TCEQ may act on an application to renew a
permit for discharge of wastewater without providing an opportunity for a contested case hearing if cer-
tain criteria are met.
MAILING LIST. In addition to submitting public comments, you may ask to be placed on a mailing list to re-
ceive future public notices mailed by the Office of the Chief Clerk. You may request to be added to: (1) the mail-
ing list for this specific application; (2) the permanent mailing list for a specific applicant name and permit num-
ber: and/or (3) the permanent mailing list for a specific county. Clearly specify which mailing list(s) to which you
wish to be added and send your request to the TCEQ Office of the Chief Clerk at the address above Unless you
otherw ise specify, you will be included only on the mailing list for this specific application.
INFORMATION. If you need more information about this permit application or the permitting process, please
call the TCEQ Office of Public Assistance, Toll Free, at 1-800-687-4040. Si desea informaci6n en Espafiol, puede
llamar al 1-800-687-4040. General information about the TCEQ can be found at our web site at www.tceq.state,
tx.us.
him. He is a deep threat who will
also catch the short and intermediate
passes."
Junior Javier Garza (150) is a
projected starter at wide receiver,
having seen substantial action at
the position in 2004. Lara indicated
that Garza "can catch the ball and
run with it. He has excellent speed.
He knows the system very well; he
studies the game."
Junior Robert Flores (160), who
is moving up from the junior
varsity, is another candidate at wide
receiver. Lara predicted, "He has the
talent to be a starter. He has an
excellent future with this program."
The coach indicated that junior
Joshua Guerra (120) "will see
plenty of action at Hanker. He has
excellent speed and moves. He's
hard to cover; he has good hands."
Junior Tony Garza (175) is
predicted to be the starter at tight
end. Lara explained, "He can catch
the ball and is an outstanding
blocker. Last year's starter, Lupe
Salinas, was one of the best tight
ends in the district, but has been
moved to defensive tackle. He will
still play tight end as needed."
Junior Joe Willie Leal (260)
started the entire 2004 season at
offensive right guard and earned
Honorable Mention All-District
honors. Lara emphasized, "We
expect him to be one of the
district's best linemen. He's a
leader; he is a positive individual.
He has excellent quickness; he's
always trying to better himself"
Senior Eric Olivarez (240) is a
returning starter at center. Lara
stressed that "he can be one of the
best centers in the district. He has
worked hard in the offseason. He
has emerged as a team leader."
The predicted starter at right
tackle is junior Andrew Salinas
(295), who is moving up from the
junior varsity. Lara commented,
"He has endurance and has very
good quickness. He has excellent
dedication."
Junior Ricky Saenz (265), also
moving up from the junior varsity,
is expected to be the starter at left
guard. Lara evaluated him as "a
tough individual who can trap and
pull very well. We believe he has
excellent potential."
Also moving up from the j.v. is
junior Danny Martinez (255), the
projected starter at left tackle. Lara
explained that Martinez "has real
good technique. He gives 110
percent at every practice. He has the
potential to be one of the district's
best linemen."
Available for backup offensive
line duty are junior tackle J.J. Lara
(290). senior left guard Virgilio
Sandoval (180), junior center
Michael Flores (230), and junior
tackle Jaciel Pena (275). Lara
predicted that all four players,
especially Flores, "will see plenty
of action."
Lara emphasized. "The linemen
are showing excellent unity, spirit
and dedication. We feci they have
The Rio
Grande Herald
Classifieds
Think newspaper classified
advertising is too expensive.
Call lis to find out how you
can advertise with us starting
at only $3.25 a week.
Call 487-2819
the potential to be one of the best
(offensive) lines in the district."
Concerning the defensive
outlook, Lara emphasized, "We feel
we will have a solid defensive unit
with a lot of good athletes. Lamar
Rodriguez will be our new
defensive coordinator. He's a very
dedicated and structured coach. He's
built excellent rapport with the
kids."
"We will be a young, but tough
defense," predicted the Rattler
skipper. "The kids will do a lot of
defensive play calling. They will be
called on to do a lot of adjustments
and recognition."
Lara explained, "We will run a 4-
3 defense. We will attack, penetrate
and read. We will blitz when
needed, but not constantly. We will
be aggressive, but not reckless, on
defense."
Lara noted that the 2005 Rattler
defense will feature several seniors
who did not play last year.
Senior Jonathan Castro (180) is a
likely starter at defensive end. Lara
evaluated him as "a tough tackier;
he follows his assignments very
well. He always plays under
control."
Senior defensive tackle Lupe
Salinas (190) has been moved from
tight end, where he started for all of
2004. The coach called him 'an
exceptionally quick player. We
think he'll be an especially strong
run defender."
Lara noted that senior defensive
end Juan Alaniz (240) "did not play
last year. He's a very disciplined
and tough player. He can do damage
on the pass rush."
Lara referred to junior defensive
tackle Jose Arellano (240) as "a
tough kid. He's very strong and
hard to move. He will cause a lot of
double teams."
Other defensive line possibilities
are junior Victor Aguilar (240) and
senior defensive end Robert Trevino
(245). Lara indicated that Aguilar is
availab|e for backup duty at either
defensive end or defensive tackle.
Lara pointed out. "If needed, most
of our offensive linemen can play at
the defensive line positions."
Senior Porfirio Mendez (175) is a
returning starter at linebacker. Lara
termed Mendez "very quick; he is
very aggressive at finding the ball."
Senior Ruben Montalvo (210)
has been moved to a linebacker
position from wide receiver. Lara
commented, "He's an aggressive,
attacking player. He's quick and
strong; he knows where the ball
is."
Junior Ted Garza (170) is
expected to be another linebacker
starter. The coach called him "very
aggressive and quick. He has good
potential."
Other options at linebacker are
junior Frank Rodriguez (160),
junior Derek Salinas (160), and
senior Mario Alaniz (175). Lara
predicted that all three players will
see meaningful duty in 2005,
noting that Alaniz "saw a lot of
action last year."
Junior Victor Saenz (160) is
expected to see the bulk of playing
time at left cornerback. Lara stated.
"We have projected him as a starter;
he's moving up from the j.v. He
has excellent speed and good
technique."
Junior strong safety Frank
Mijares (180) is also moving up
from the junior varsity. The coach
called him "very knowledgeable of
the position. He has good size and
outstanding sp^cd; he's very
coachable."
Junior Jesus Martinez (160) is
projected as the starter at free safety.
Lara evaluated Martinez as "very
knowledgeable of the position. He
can defend the pass; he has good
speed." He indicated that Martinez
is the team's third quarterback, but
is likely to play that position only
on an emergency basis.
Junior Frank Pinal (170) is the
likely starter at right cornerback.
Lara noted that Pinal "saw some
varsity action last year. His
experience will help him; he played
well when he saw action. He has
good speed."
Lara emphasized that junior
cornerback Juan Garza (165) "is
developing very nicely." He
commented that senior strong safety
Eli Flores (180) "has a lot of
potential." The Rattler pilot
declared that sophomore strong
safety Raul Bazan (165) "is an
excellent athlete with outstanding
potential. He has a lot of speed."
Lara noted, "Some of our
offensive skill players will be
available in the secondary il
needed."
Lara stated that Joe Willie Leal
"will do our punting this year. He
did very well last year. We think
he'll be one of the district's besi
punters."
The head coach indicated that
"several players are candidates al
placekicker. Leo Rios, a senior, is a
leading possibility at placekicker.
He has a strong leg."
About the District 30-5A
outlook, Lara emphasized. "Even
team should be strong. We will
need to be ready to play every
night. I expect McAllen Memorial
to be a very sirong team. They were
very young lasl year, but have a lot
of players returning. They're due to
have a very sirong year."
Lara predicted, "La Joya should
be strong this year. They've lost a
lot of key players, but should be
tough again. (McAllen Nikki)
Rowe and McAllen High lost key
people, but should again have solid
teams. Sharyland should again be
tough. They have an excellent crop
of young players coming up."
The Rattlers will open their 2005
regular season on the road on
Thursday night. Sep!. I against
Laredo Nixon. They will host the
Roma Gladiators, their Stan
County rivals, in their home openei
on Friday. Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m
They will open District 30-5A play
on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m
against the McAllen Memoria
Mustangs on the road. The Rattler:
will entertain the McAllen Nikki
Rowe Warricrs on Friday, Oct. 14
at 7:30 p.m. in their district home
opener.
Free training offered
to families of
children with
disabilities
The TEAM Project is offering
educational training sessions for
families of children with disabilities
the third Friday of each month.
The training sessions are FREE
and are being offered from 10 a.m.
to 12 noon each third Friday of the
month at the Rio Grande City
Library.
Anyone seeking more
information should call Eva
juerrero a; 581 -4960.
Projecto Team ofrece
entrenamientos para padres de ninos
con discapacidades gratis cade tercer
Viernes a las 10 a.m. 12 medio dia
en la bibioteca de Rio Grande.
Favor de llamar a Eva Guerrero
581-4960.
Further information may also be obtained from the City of Rio Grande City at the address stated above or by call-
ing Leo Olivares at (956)487-0672.
Issued: August 17, 2005
-2005-
th e rio
grande
Herald has bee
serving starr
county for alm
a century, we
would like to
express our m0
sincere thanks
all our reader
for your
continuing sup
throughout the
years.
YEARS
i 1
' u
> II
> 1
I
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 92, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 25, 2005, newspaper, August 25, 2005; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth196335/m1/4/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.