The football program is facing some tough out of town opponents in the coming season. The team is playing the Mayfield Trojans from Las Cruces, NM ranked 30 in state, the Salpointe Lancers from Tucson, AZ ranked 11 in state, and the Hutto Hippos from Hutto, TX ranked 64 in state last season.

For the last 30 years, Big Bad Blue has played the same schedule. The new schedule was announced March 7. It is a change from the usual schedule.   

“We can’t become complacent playing the same lower tier teams every year,” linebacker Ivan Perez said. “The only way we can prepare ourselves for playoffs is to challenge ourselves from week one.”  

A lot is expected for the players’ senior season, but linebacker Ivan Perez has bigger goals.

“Senior season is really a do or die season, all the countless practices showing up at five in the morning, this is where it all comes in,” Perez said. “We have great players, we’re going into spring ball with a hardworking team mindset and are taking it day by day getting ready for one of the hardest schedules in El Paso.”  

Determination is key when playing teams that may be more skilled or more strategic.

“Our mindset is great, we have a lot of returners, our defense is going to be tough,” quarterback Coach Alfred Montez said. “We just need an offensive line. We need players to step up. This spring will be big for us.”

Going out of town to play, the team looks at what the opponent is capable of. Quarterback Raymond Montez already has his sight set on what he wants.

“With any team we play our goal is always to win the game,” Raymond Montez said. “I think we have the people to beat any team we play.”

Expectations are high for the team, especially from the captain.  

“I expect a lot, being leader of this defense I expect accomplishments not just from the team but for myself,” Perez said. “I want this defense to be the best that DV has ever had.”

Season after season many players come and go, but it is what the returning players bring back that makes the team stronger.  

“This year’s team should be [very] solid. We’re returning with a lot of our skilled guys,” Raymond Montez said. “I think our line has a good shot at being one of the better ones I’ve had here.”

Running back coach Victor Lara’s leaving will be difficult.

“It’s tough. He’s a good coach. He related well to the players,” coach Montez said. “His leaving is a big loss, it’ll be different on Friday nights, nobody knows the things he would do for us under those Friday night lights.”