By Aaron Monreal and Andres Landin
As the new season approaches for the Texas A&M University – Kingsville Javelinas, the anticipation begins to rise in Hog Nation. But, with a new season comes new questions after a sub par 2017 season in conference play. The Javelinas ended last season with a 4-7 record, and after a successful off-season that focused on getting better each and every day, the team is looking forward to the season with hopes of a successful year.
The Javelinas took part in an early morning intersquad scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Javelina Stadium, but as far as the scrimmage went, it came with some questions in regards to the quarterback situation for the storied blue and yellow after Cade Dyal suffered an apparent injury.
Head coach Darren Wilkinson, entering his fifth season with the Javelinas, discussed the injury.
“Cade will be fine,” he said. “Everyone is a bit banged up, but you would assume that after 20 straight days of practice.”
As far as the scrimmage went, Wilkinson said the focus was on the “little things.”
“It really wasn’t a scrimmage, we mainly focused on the little things in a game-like situation format,” he said.
The team looks forward to the season as they rehearsed new plays and did it with a new staff on the defensive side of the ball.
“We got a new defensive coordinator and really the defensive staff is all new. We got three new coaches on the defense side of the ball that brought some new energy and ideas. “Our scheme is different,” Wilkinson said.
Entering his third season with the Javelinas as a defensive back, Josh Wilson talked about the scrimmage.
“As a team, we look very sound on offense and defense. Besides fixing some little errors here and there, we are going to be a good team,” Wilson said.
Teammates agreed.
“All the hard training this fall we put in, we feel like we can win a championship game or at least have a chance and make the playoffs,” said Ryan Martinez, a wide receiver for the Javelinas.
With the first game Thursday, many of the coaches said things are clicking.
The new season will begin this Thursday in Commerce, Texas, against last year’s Division II National Champions, the Texas A&M University – Commerce Lions. The first game at A&M Commerce will take place on ESPN3 on the Watch ESPN app. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
As far as this Thursday goes, Wilkinson said confidently, “We can beat anybody in the nation if we play together, and play smart with the right mindset.”
While leading the charge in the defensive backfield, Wilson talks about the task at hand.
“I’m looking forward most to playing the national champs,” he said. “I feel like it’s a good test for us as a team to see where we’re at in the beginning of the season.There’s no better litmus test than playing a team that was the best team in the country. We’ll see where we are right away as far how our efforts and talent are. I want our guys to take the challenge and play hard.”
Wilkinson sent a message to the Javelina Nation heading into the long season ahead by saying, “I want you guys to leave every game by saying that our guys played hard every single down and we looked like an organized group with a winning mindset.”
