BROWNSVILLE ST. JOSEPH BLOODHOUNDS

St. JoSepH bloodHoundS Bloodhounds aim to surprise

The St. Joseph Bloodhounds reached the second round of the playoffs in 2020, exceeding expectations that some outside the program had.

They’ll hope to do the same this year with a very young team led by a handful of veterans. SJA returns seven starters and 15 lettermen, and though there are challenges involved with being “very new,” there are definite positives.

“They are immediately working as a unit, they’re focusing on team. They understand that when you lose a lot of seniors it’s hard to fill the shoes, but it’s not when you come together as a team instead of looking for the next superstar to rise,” coach Tino Villarreal said.

Villarreal said the Bloodhounds had good competition throughout camp as players battled for open positions. Leading the way for the newcomers and helping the staff teach are quarterback Luigi Cristiano, safety Adrian Del Pozo and offensive lineman Miguel Cortez.

Cristiano, a four-year starter, “is the ultimate leader” for the Bloodhounds. Villarreal praised Cristiano for taking on a “coach-on-the-field” role. Del Pozo is leading the defense, and Cortez takes on “the toughest job” as the sole returning offensive lineman, stepping up to be the ideal example for the young line. With new personnel, Villarreal is adjusting SJA’s approach and mindset while the ’Hounds chase a return to the TAPPS postseason.

“I think our passing is going to be really big. We have to take advantage of the fact that we have a senior quarterback. We’re going to let the pass game set the run game, and I think that’s the first time we’ve done that in my time here,” he said. “We’re setting small, short-vision goals. Yeah, we want to win, make the playoffs and compete for a championship. But more importantly, we want to build a team that is super tight-knit and treats each other like brothers.”

blOODHOUNDS AT A GlANcE

COACH: Tino Villarreal

ASSISTANTS: Not available 2020 RECORD: 4-5, area finalist

RETURNING STARTERS (O/D): 3/4

RETURNING LETTERMEN: 15

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Luigi Cristiano, QB, sr.; Adrian Del Pozo, FS/WR, jr.; Miguel Cortez, OL/DL, jr.; Marcelo Masso, WR/K, sr.