Donna grabs No. 6 spot in preseason poll

The Donna football program, one of the most storied in the Rio Grande Valley, looked to have finally turned the corner after three years of playoff futility with a District 30-5A championship last season.

The Redskins, who check in as Valley Freedom Newspapers' No. 6 team, hope to continue the good fortunes by living up to this season's expectations.

"I think we have established a tradition here again and the kids have brought into it," second-year coach Manny Moreno said. "I think as long as they continue to work hard and give us all they got, we will continue to be very competitive."

Last season, the Redskins finished 9-3 overall and 6-0 in district. They won their first playoff game since 2002, a 28-21 bi-district victory over Laredo Nixon.

"I think it is a tribute to the kids that they have learned to work hard," said Moreno about the team's Top 10 ranking. "They have been working hard all this time and they go out there and display their talents and do what they have been coached to do."

This season, the Redskins bring back five players on offense and three players on defense. Despite only eight starters returning, expectations are that the Redskins are a playoff contender in a district that includes other postseason favorite McAllen High.

"They return quite a few," McAllen Memorial coach Bill Littleton said about Donna. "They got those two running backs that filled in for (Robert Guzman) when he got hurt. They are going to be alright."

Running backs Jacob Medina and Josh Reyna helped carry the load to end last season. Richard Garza will make the move from wide receiver to quarterback.

"Derrick Ramirez took the helm right away for us at quarterback last season so (Garza) didn't get a chance to play at QB," Moreno said. "Ramirez was a senior last year and Garza is a senior this year. So far, he has responded well and we expect a lot out of him."

Peter Rasmussen covers District 30-5A for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.

2008 Donna Redskins at a glance

Coach: Many Moreno, second season

Top Returners: The Redskins return skill players RBs Jacob Medina and Josh Reyna, QB Richard Garza, who was a wide out last season, and receivers Aaron Jackson and Ray Arrambide.

Of Note: The returning skill players don't return with impressive numbers from 2007 but have seen plenty of playing time at their position. Jackson (6-foor-2, 225 pounds) and Arrambide (6.3, 185) should be able to use their size to make for a productive tandem. Garza is new to the QB position at the varsity level but Moreno is confident in his signal caller.

2008 Schedule

Aug. 29 vs. PSJA North 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 5 vs. Brownsville Rivera 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13 at Laredo Alexander 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 vs. La Joya Palmview 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4 at McAllen Rowe 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 vs. McAllen High 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Sharyland 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 vs. Rio Grande City 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 vs. La Joya 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 at McAllen Memorial 7:30 p.m.