After all, Gonzales became the Warriors’ fourth coach in four seasons and inherited a team that went 2-8. Before this season, the program had just three winning seasons and had reached the postseason only once since 1993.
In other years, Santa Rosa players affiliated December with the beginning of the basketball season.
Well, December has arrived and Santa Rosa still is playing football, a feat achieved for the first time in school history and something Gonzales knew was possible back in the summer.
“It was, actually,” Gonzales said, referring to the playoffs as one of his preseason goals. “I saw the caliber of talent they had and knew it was possible. It was one of our goals to not only make the playoffs but to win district.”
The Warriors (11-1) have accomplished both preseason goals winning the District 32-2A title and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Santa Rosa looks to continue its unchartered playoff trek when it faces fifth-ranked Salado (12-0) at 6 p.m. today in the Class 2A Division I Region IV final at Memorial Stadium.
The winner will advance to a state semifinal next week against fourth-ranked Tatum, which defeated Newton 20-16 on Friday night.
Santa Rosa’s school-record 11 wins were jumpstarted by the Warriors’ 26-18 “Sugar Bowl” victory against La Villa, a Class A playoff participant, in the second week of the season. Running back Sam Salazar ran for 182 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries.
“We got a lot of confidence when we beat them,” Gonzales said. “The first couple of games it took some time to learn the system. I felt we kept getting better each week.”
Santa Rosa swept its district, with its lone loss coming against 3A La Feria. The Warriors won six games by eight points or less before defeating George West 38-10 and Universal City Randolph 26-6 in the playoffs. Santa Rosa allowed only 29 yards in the second half while upsetting the unbeaten, heavily favored Ro-Hawks.
“There isn’t one factor,” Gonzales said of his team’s turnaround. “We have talented kids and we are put together. I don’t know if it’s from above, but they have bought into the season and we’re playing good football right now.”
Said Salado coach Jeff Cheatham: “They are a traditional Valley power. They run the football and they play good defense. They are playing with a lot of confidence right now coming off a big win against Randolph.”
Salazar leads Santa Rosa’s offensive attack with 1,336 yards rushing and 25 total touchdowns. Quarterback Buddy Garza, who played fullback last season, is a quiet leader who has passed for 147 yards and run for 116 in the first two rounds. Wide receivers R.J. Alaniz and Michael Lopez and Salazar out of the backfield are his top targets.
The Warriors have rushed for 3,444 yards with a power-running style the Salado defense has faced this season.
“Its Hamilton re-lived,” Salado linebacker Josh Bush said, referring to the Eagles’ 29-14 road win against the Bulldogs in the third game.
Added Salado senior safety Matt Fritsch: “They’re physical. They play football like we do. They’re going to come right at us and see if we can stop them.”
Salado’s defense relishes games against outstanding offenses. The Eagles have shut down teams all season, allowing only 77 points.
Salado made a good first impression last week as Gonzales watched the Eagles hold a Hitchcock squad that had been averaging 492 yards per game to just 59.
“They were pretty impressive,” Gonzales said. “They are well-coached and have big athletes. We definitely have our hands full.”
Gonzales added that he understands every team still playing at this point in the season is bigger and faster.
And in this game that is hyped up as maybe the biggest in Santa Rosa’s football history, the Warriors should expect plenty of fanfare and support from South Texas.
“Everybody is excited,” Gonzales said. “Throughout the community and outside the (Rio Grande) Valley, you get a lot of the Rio Grande support.
“A lot of alumni come back and we have a lot of well-wishers at each game. They are happy for us and those who didn’t get to this stage.”
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
