When a high school football team has to replace 22 graduating seniors, it can be devastating to their prospects the following year.
But in Steinbrenner High School’s case, it might be just what they needed.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
“The attitude and mentality of everybody is that they want to come and work hard. They saw what we struggled with last year, players just giving up,” said Andres Bautista, who plays on the defensive line. “Those seniors, they’re gone, so now we feel we have a better chance of achieving goals.”
Bautista, now a senior himself, is just one of two players who are entering their fourth year with the Warriors, and he believes the roster changes will improve their fortunes. Too many seniors didn’t give it their all, didn’t respond to challenging times, or simply didn’t perform up to their ability, he said.
As a result, the team finished a disappointing 3-7 overall, and 2-3 in the district last season.
Head Coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo, now entering his third year at the helm, isn’t too concerned with dwelling on last year’s fortunes. He’d rather take what he can from the past and apply it toward a more successful future.
“Every year is different in its own way,” Perez-Reinaldo said. “We look at last year’s successes and struggles, learn from them, and work on the new team and the new year.”
The Warriors gave up a district-high 303 points, but they had problems on both sides of the ball. The offense also struggled, both failing to score and committing turnovers, which put the defense in bad situations.
And when put in those situations, coverage issues allowed the opposing team’s offense to capitalize, Bautista said.
But that doesn’t mean Steinbrenner didn’t have significant bright spots. The Warriors were ranked second in kickoffs and punt returns. Not second in the district, nor the region. Steinbrenner was ranked second in those categories ahead of nearly every other school in the state.
Perez-Reinaldo believes that gives the team a significant advantage and can help improve their record in 2014.
“We hope to continue that,” Perez-Reinaldo said of the high special teams ranking. “If you can win those two — special teams and defense — everything else will fall into place.”
Perez also believes his receiving corps will be difference-makers this season. He credits Coach Michael Bosco for his work with the unit, and believes the wide receivers complement each other well.
While it’s too early to know how everything will fall into place, Perez-Reinaldo likes what he’s seen so far. A good work ethic and some success on the field have given him some optimism headed into the regular season.
“I think it’s important for kids to learn how to compete and then learn how to win,” he said. “This off-season, our team has really come together through workouts and seven-on-seven tournaments. We won our first seven-on-seven tournament ever at Steinbrenner this summer, and I see that as evidence that our team is learning how to win.
“Now it’s a matter to translating that to Friday nights.”
Bautista is looking forward to getting back to playing on Friday nights as well, because he missed a few of them last season. A torn meniscus in his right knee ended his 2013 campaign after just five games, and he had to watch the team struggle from the sideline. Now, after a successful return in a spring game (Bautista says his knee is 100 percent), he’s looking forward to providing the senior leadership he feels was lacking last season.
And Bautista believes the best way to provide that leadership is to show that he’s dedicated to seeing Steinbrenner reach the postseason for the first time in his high school career.
“That’s one of our biggest goals, is making the playoffs,” Bautista said. “I’m going to play how I’ve been playing since freshman year: Playing hard and going 110 percent.
“I love football.”
STEINBRENNER WARRIORS
Last Year: 3-7 (2-3 in district play
Fourth place in Class 7A-District 7
Key Returning Players
Andres Bautista, defensive line
Zack Deitz, linebacker
Key Addition
Quentin Poteralski, quarterback
(was a backup last season)
Player to Watch
Kezio Snelling, wide receiver
“Had a breakout year, and he is definitely a guy to watch,” said Coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo.
2014 Warriors Schedule
8/22 – Sunlake
8/29 – at Plant City
9/5 – at Alonso
9/12 – Spoto
9/19 – Sickles
10/2 – at Tampa Bay Tech
10/10 – at Wharton
10/17 – Wiregrass Ranch
10/24 – at Freedom
10/31 – Gaither
11/7 – Jefferson
Published July 30, 2014
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