Waking from the nightmare

improvement is turnovers, because Taos had 16 of them in its three district losses.

Abreu Jr. said the team has spent more time expanding on its offensive and defensive sets and sees a group that is ready to expand its horizons.

“I like where my team is at right now,” Abreu Jr. said after Friday’s practice. “My team is strong, it is in condition. My team is executing the stuff we couldn’t execute last year, because a lot of these guys were just juniors and sophomores. Now we get to be a little more complex with our fundamentals and our drills.”

The Tigers recognized that and have used the offseason and the two-a-day phase of preseason practice working on those little things that can separate goodness from greatness.

“We try to focus on that,” senior running back Jonathan Garcia said. “We sometimes struggle with that, trying to stay hot during practice. It’s that consistency.”

While Taos is trying to add to its learning curve, it also has to learn a little bit about its new district opponents. Gone are St. Michael’s, West Las Vegas and Robertson. In their place are Albuquerque St. Pius X, Grants and Española Valley, along with holdovers Pojoaque Valley and Bernalillo. The Sartans, Pirates and Sundevils come down from 5A, and St. Pius reached the 5A quarterfinals.

That on its own merit makes the Sartans the favorites in the district, but the Tigers feel they aren’t that far behind them.

“I think a change is good for us,” Good said. “Coach [Abreu Jr.] is a really good coach and this offseason was really good for us.”

Good is finally healthy after missing half of the season with his collarbone injury, while the speedy Garcia ran for more than 1,600 yards behind a stout offensive line, anchored by 300-pounder Dominic Lopez. Good expressed frustration while standing on the sidelines, knowing he could do little to help his team.

“This is my time to shine,” Good said. “Hopefully, I am going to do good and help my teammates and make everybody in the town proud.”

After all, realizing half of a dream isn’t as fulfilling as a complete one.