New coach, same attitude Even in Davis’ absence, the Pirates are looking to the state final again
By Lee Goddard, Caller-Times
David Adame/Caller-Times
Sinton defensive end Curt Jones (left), quarterback Adrian Alaniz (top) and safety
Chance Schmidt figure to play a large part in the Pirates’ hopes to return to
the state title game.
SINTON - Supposedly, there was a change of football coaches at
Sinton this spring.
Supposed, because nothing seems to be different for the Pirates.
The practices are the same. The attitudes are the same. The team's style is the
same.
As a result, the team's final game may even be the same.
While Brent Davis fled for the Class 5A pastures of suburban Dallas,
defensive coordinator Jimmie Mitchell stepped in as the head coach and athletic
director at the school. Despite the loss of Davis and a trio of assistants, Sinton
seems to be on track to make another deep run in the postseason.
This comes on the heels of a Pirates' run to the 3A Division I state
title game, where Sinton fell to Everman.
"I expect us to take it one more step," said wide receiver/defensive
back Brandon Salone. "We were right there."
So, the confidence is unchanged as well.
Part of that is due to Mitchell, who promised no major changes. Through
the early days of practice, the differences were minute. Some players cited a
stronger emphasis on conditioning.
But the similarities are there. Expect the defense to still be strong
with its defensive coordinator in charge, while offensive coordinator Chris Jones
is back in control of one of the area's more potent offenses.
"A lot of things haven't changed," Mitchell said. "It goes back to
the theory in my mind that if it's not broke, don't fix it. We want (the system)
to be the same. (The players) understand it, know it and they're good at it. So
that's what we want to keep doing.
"When coach Davis left, we were able to keep most of the staff,"
Mitchell added. "We'll still be the same defensively. And, on offense, we'll still
be 50-50 run-pass."
That's troubling for district opponents, who saw the Pirates sprint
through the season undefeated until the Everman clash.
"I wish they'd change a lot," Aransas Pass coach Guy Grover said.
"But coach Mitchell's a fantastic coach. He has a lot of common sense. He has
a great coaching staff, and the new ones he brought in are solid. He's such a
good defensive guy, from what I understand, they will stay the same on that side
of the ball. I just don't expect a lot of changes."
There was little turnover on the sideline. Davis will head to Lewisville
The Colony and only assistants Adam Arroyo, Walter Smith and Wade Wilson will
be working the sidelines at new schools.
The adjustments that could derail Sinton's quest for another title
game appearances are on the field. The Pirates will have to rebound from the loss
of all-purpose player and All-South Texas MVP Marcus Charles, who contributed
as a running back, defensive back and kick returner.
Sinton must also deal with the loss of four of its offensive linemen,
as well as the interior portion of its front eight on defense.
To offset those losses, though, there's a corps of veteran players
who made significant contributions to last season's run. Foremost among them are
Salone, quarterback Adrian Alaniz, defensive end Curt Jones, running back Julian
Ruiz and safety Chance Schmidt.
"No, I didn't think there was going to be any changes," Alaniz said.
"Coach Mitchell told me personally that there wasn't going to be any, so I wasn't
worried."
And, while some fans may have felt the sky was falling when Davis
left, Jones has a message for the Pirates' faithful.
"The fans shouldn't worry right now," he said. "This is going to
be a real good year."
That, too, would be unchanged from last year.
