Sundevils look to turn added strength into a winning season
‘They are ready to roll,’ says coach
On the surface, Española Valley’s disappointing 1-9 record for the football season may seem like the program had slid backwards after just its second playoff appearance the previous season.
But a deeper look into that record shows that the young Sundevils were competitive throughout the district slate as their youngsters grew up and gained valuable experience.
The same could be said for first-time head coach Jesus Maes, who wasn’t hired until last summer in the wake of turmoil with the entire athletic program that led to the resignation of the former coach.
“We’re improving each day, execution is coming around,” Maes said. “I’m really happy with the way the team is looking this year.”
The big transformation has been in the weight room, where the team has been grinding since Maes took over.
“We were lacking a lot of physical strength last year,” he said. “I don’t think they need extra motivation. I think they knew they were young last year and we have all the youth coming back. They want to prove themselves and show everybody they’ve got experience and they are ready to roll.”
And now that might be a strength this season, Maes said, as Española will feature a beefy front line that should be able to assert its will on opponents.
“They hit the weight room hard all off-season and they’re ready to prove they’re better than the 1-9 team they were last year,” he said.
Junior lineman Nate Martinez (5 foot, 9 inches, 240 pounds) is one of those who wants to reverse the team’s record.
“I learned a lot more players that need to step it up,” he said. “And I think it will happen. I think we had the potential last year, but this year I definitely think we have it.”
Martinez is “solid and packs a punch” Maes said. “He’s box squatting 500 pounds and benching almost 300.”
And his senior cousin Nick Martinez (6-2, 280) is a hybrid defensive player, lining up on the line or at middle linebacker, while also anchoring the offensive line.
“He’s just athletic and he can really move,” Maes said. “You don’t see that size/speed combo anymore.”
And fellow senior lineman Damian Velasquez (5-9, 250), is coming back from an injury that cost him all of last season.
The Sundevils also got an unexpected boost with the transfer of Tyrone TJ Ratliffe Jr., whose dad is also joining the coaching staff. He was a starting linebacker and running back who was nine yards a carry for 3A Elysian Fields outside of Houston.
Ratliffe (5-9, 180), who was born in Albuquerque and also lived in Silver while his dad was a coach at Western New Mexico University, will bring an added element of toughness and speed to both sides of the ball, Maes said.
“I think it’s going to be good,” Ratliffe said. “I think we’re going to do really good. Española Valley hasn’t been at the top of the ranking too much, so I think doing that will just make the whole town feel good.”
Offensively, he said he has both a power and speed element.
“I’d say pretty much all round,” Ratliffe said. “One minute I’ll shake and bake, and the next minute I’ll run somebody over.”