Taking flight: Progreso to put more emphasis on passing game in ’08

There's no question that the Progreso Red Ants have primarily been a running football team under Elvis Hernandez.

Former back Norberto Ontiveros was a standout three years ago and last season Juan Vega tallied almost 1,300 yards.

But things are about to change.

Though they're not abandoning the running game by any means, expect more footballs to fill the skies from Progreso in 2008.

As the second week of two-a-days rolled on Wednesday afternoon, Hernandez watched his team put more emphasis on airing it out.

"So far, offensively, I've liked our passing game," said Hernandez, who enters his fifth season and had about 80 players out for practice. "Our quarterback is putting the ball up well and our receivers are catching them."

With Vega back for another season, the threat of an air attack should help Progreso improve on its 4-6 mark from a year ago and perhaps allow Vega to put up even better numbers.

"That's what we want to work on; to take those eight men out of the box," Hernandez said. "They load up the box to stop him (Vega). Teams weren't worried about the pass. We've always had the backs, but not the passing game to accompany them.
But finally, I feel we've got a quarterback that can put the ball in the air."

That quarterback is junior Juan Treviño, who's expected to step into the starting role.

The Red Ants love his potential, who replaces Mando Garcia, who led the offense last season.

"He's got a very strong arm, and good touch," said Hernandez, a former QB himself at Brownsville St. Joseph.

Progreso has already been working on the new focus, faring well in a recent Weslaco 7-on-7 summer league.

"They did real well and only lost one game," Hernandez said of Progreso's team. "There was good competition and they learned a lot."

With Treviño and Vega headlining the offense, the Red Ants' defense also has some talent, namely at linebacker.

Hernandez said ‘backers Gabriel Silva, Jay Garcia, Armando Pintor and Eddie Garcia form a more than formidable unit. Eddie Garcia will begin workouts later this month.

Twelve seniors return for the Red Ants, who will compete in an ultra-tough 32-3A, and Hernandez outlined the importance of playing well in district.

"It's gonna be a battle and it'll be a playoff atmosphere every game we play in district," he said. "Six of the eight teams made the playoffs last year."

Last season, after storming out of the gate to a 3-0 start, including a 7-6 season-opening stunner over Mission High, the confidence began to build. Hernandez hopes it keeps up.

"Our kids are off to a real good start," he said. "We don't have the numbers we need, but our kids are prepared to play both ways."

The Red Ants put their game to work Saturday morning when they host Santa Rosa in the season's first scrimmage.

KEY RETURNERS: Juan Vega (running back), Gabriel Silva (linebacker), Armando Pintor (linebacker), Jay Garcia (linebacker).

KEY LOSSES: Mando Garcia (QB).

KEY GAMES: Valley View (Aug. 29), Raymondville (Sept. 26), Lyford (Oct. 17).