HARLINGEN — Last summer, Raymondville reached new heights.
The Bearkats reached the state 7-on-7 tournament for the first time in program history behind quarterback Jacob Posas and running back Marcus Capetillo.
With Posas and Capetillo lost to graduation, the Bearkats’ veteran offensive weapons, Justin Cantu and Zaraivion Armendarez, are returning to the lineup.
In fact, four Bearkats return four players from last year’s state team. Along with Cantu and Armendarez are Ajay Sayas and Thomas Zombrano.
When the Harlingen 7-on-7 league got under way a few weeks ago, Armendarez who will be a junior this fall, took on a leadership role and gave the underclassmen advice and tips on what to expect throughout the summer league and at state qualifying tournaments.
“We know that we have to get better each and every week,” Armendarez said. “There are some guys that don’t have varsity experience, so it is a lot different. We have new guys and new faces on the team, but at the same time we have guys that have been here before so we are trying to implement that in the younger guys.”
With the McAllen state qualifying tournament approaching, Armendarez feels the ’Kats are where they need to be and that they continue to make progress as the summer progresses with a new quarterback at the helm in incoming freshman Jarod Cavazos.
“We are working, and each game we are going to have to fight,” Armendarez said. “We are getting better each week and each game.”
The veteran wideout has helped Cavazos get up to speed with the tempo and various routes the Bearkats run.
“The speed has been a lot different for (Cavazos) but he is getting better each game, and we can see that and we feel we will be up to speed once we head to our qualifying tournament. Overall, we just want to get better and be ready for the season. This 7-on-7 is important, but we are also getting ready for the season and we know there is a bigger picture.”
