Dragons breathing fire after slow start
5A-DI third round: Southwest vs. CC Vets Memorial, 2 p.m. today
In a season that makes no sense, perhaps it’s fitting the Southwest Dragons have advanced to the third round of the playoffs.
The Dragons were one of only five Class 6A or 5A teams in the state who had played 12 games entering the week. They have won six straight since beginning the season 0-6 and needed to win their last two games just to get into the playoffs.
“There’s something special going on at Southwest this year in 2020,” Dragons first year head coach Alex Franco said. “Call it what you want, but the stars have aligned for us.”
Southwest (6-6) is set to face Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (11-0) in a Class 5A Division I third-round playoff at 2 p.m. today at Heroes Stadium.
The Dragons are in the third round for only the second time in program history. Their previous trip in 2008 ended against Smithson Valley in the third round. With another victory, the Dragons will make school history and possibly play their next game in 2021.
“Just to get to 13 games feels amazing,” said senior Roman Ramirez, a starting offensive and defensive lineman. “Win or lose, it just feels great to play, unlike other teams who can’t. We’re always happy to play. Now, into Christmas break, it’s even more important now. We have this winning streak, and we don’t want to lose it.”
The Dragons have defied the odds. It began in January when Franco was promoted from defensive coordinator to replace Matt Elliott, who retired from
coaching after the 2019 season.
Although Franco had been with the program for seven years, he installed some wrinkles — including a more balanced offensive attack. He had hoped to iron everything out in spring practice. But the COVID-19 pandemic prevented that.
Instead, the Dragons had to learn on the fly when practices began. Southwest started a handful of sophomores who had never played varsity in key spots.
“They struggled with the physicality, speed and terminology,” Franco said.
That contributed to the Dragons’ 0-6 start, which put them in danger of not making the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
Despite the struggles, Franco saw a lot of good things early.
In Southwest’s season opener, a 37-8 loss to Round Rock Westwood, three key turnovers cost the Dragons a chance to stay in that game.
The Dragons lost to Floresville 45-14 after leading 14-0 and lost to Kyle Lehman 26-20 after leading 20-10.
Southwest was tied with Medina Valley 7-7 heading into the fourth quarter before losing 21-7. The next week, the Dragons lost to Southwest Legacy 17-14 in their District 14-5A-I opener when the Titans’ Damian Hernandez scored a touchdown with 33 seconds left.
“We were still feeling pretty good about ourselves,” Franco said.
The next week — on Halloween morning — was a disaster. The listless Dragons fell behind 28-0 midway through the second quarter before losing to Southside 42-14.
“That was a very pivotal time because we had been building up to that point, and the kids were believing in what we had going,” Franco said. “That was the game where we were supposed to put it all together, and we did not. That was breaking point for us.” What happened?
“No one was focused or anything,” said senior Andre Mitchell, who starts at running back and cornerback. “We weren’t ready for that game at all.”
As bad as it was, it proved to be
a turning point.
“It made everybody mad,” Ramirez said. “We did not want to be the team that missed the playoffs for the 15-year streak.”
It proved to be the start of the current run.
“That picked our heads up and motivated us, so the next game, we worked hard and did whatever it took to get the dub,” Mitchell said.
The Dragons notched their first win, 42-14, over Laredo Cigarroa on Nov. 7. Then they beat Laredo Martin 58-0.
After that, Cigarroa and Martin ended their seasons when Laredo ISD shut down fall sports because of the pandemic. They forfeited the rest of their games, and Southwest emerged as the only team in the district that played 10 regularseason games.
After the victory over Martin, the Dragons needed to win their final two regular-season games for a playoff berth. They emerged from a 7-7 halftime tie to beat Eagle Pass Winn 21-7. The Dragons came back after trailing Rio Grande City 19-7 in the first quarter to beat the Rattlers 49-34.
“We lost a couple of special teams turnovers (against Rio Grande City), and I told (our play
ers) to relax and keep playing,” Franco said. “When we think about it, that’s all we’ve been doing since 0-6. And that’s what I’m most proud of. They have not changed, and they have not wavered. They’ve dealt with adversity unlike any other team I’ve been a part of.”