The Steinbrenner High School coaching staff knew its team was special when it defeated Riverview High School by a 38-17 margin on Sept. 18. That gave the Warriors a 4-0 start for the first time in school history, and eclipsed the team’s win total from last year’s entire season, when it won just three games.
(MIchael Murillo/Staff Photo)
But coaches also knew the team was special when it defeated Chamberlain on Sept. 11 to go 3-0.
And, the week before, when the team defeated Blake High School to go 2-0.
The team had never done those things before, either.
In fact, it became the first varsity team at the school to even start 1-0 with an opening win against Gaither High School. (The team’s first victory in its inaugural season in 2009 counted as a junior varsity victory).
Head coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo had an inkling about their potential a lot earlier than the start of the regular season. In fact, the realization dawned on him late last year.
“I had a good feeling last December,” he recalled. “We were planning on starting our off-season conditioning in January. I had a group of these seniors come up to me and say ‘Hey coach, we want to start now, in December.’ When those kids do that and take that kind of initiative, that lets you know you have a special thing going on.”
If the team has been special, its defense has been spectacular. The defense gave up 17 to Riverview and allowed 10 points to Chamberlain, but previous outings were even better. Neither Blake (31-0) nor Gaither (13-0) put up any points against the Warriors.
The coach admits that a stifling defense is a big key to the team’s success and keeping opponents frustrated.
“Our defense right now is the heart and soul of the team,” he said. “If they (opponents) can’t score, they can’t win.”
It’s a philosophy that resonates with the players, and gets repeated frequently.
“As the defense we knew that we were going to really be the glue of the team. If they don’t score, they’re not going to win,” said middle linebacker Patrick Lukert in a separate interview.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound senior has helped the team off to its impressive start, but he’s not surprised. He expected to see scoreboard success after watching the players come together and focus before the games started. He just thought it would happen with a different quarterback.
Expected starter Cason Byrd suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Preseason Classic, meaning backup Colin Wray had to step in with little notice and perform.
He’s led the team to an undefeated record, the most wins in one season since 2012 and an opportunity to think about the school’s first-ever playoff berth.
Again, Lukert said he isn’t surprised.
“We have confidence in Colin. Colin’s been practicing just like Cason has. Since last December he’s been working out. We knew he was going to be all right,” he said.
The coach credits the entire offense for helping pick up the slack with a new quarterback behind center.
“Those guys, that wide receiver corps and offensive line and running backs have just rallied around our quarterback position, making him the best that he can (be). And that support has been huge for him,” Perez-Reinaldo said.
A strong start has created a lot of optimism and excitement, and the coach said it’s a product of athletes taking classwork seriously and buying into the program. It’s a lot of hard work, but after coaching for about 10 years (this is his fourth season at Steinbrenner), Perez-Reinaldo said it’s still fun.
“Friday nights. There’s nothing like it,” he said.
Steinbrenner Warriors 2015 remaining schedule
Sept. 25 at Riverview, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 vs. Manatee, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 at Newsome, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs. Palm Harbor University, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 at Alonso, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 at Berkeley Prep, 7 p.m.
Published September 23, 2015
