By Brian Argabright
If the Del Rio Rams soccer team is worried about losing another season to COVID-19, the team’s head coach isn’t showing it.
The Rams were just one official game into their 2021 season when the San Felipe Del Rio CISD halted all UIL activities for two weeks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus through the community. The team faced a similar situation last year, losing its final three games after play was suspended by UIL and the season was eventually canceled due to COVID.
“We always had it in the back of our minds that we might get shutdown because of the holidays and all the interactions. We pressed forward as if nothing would happen. I told the team, ‘Let’s just practice and concentrate on our game,” Rams head soccer coach Tani Canchola said. “We did have some kids who were exposed, so they had to stay home, and some tested positive just recently. Now we’re feeling the impact of that.”
Canchola said that the recent setbacks weren’t a reflection of what the team or the school district was doing in the face of the coronavirus. He said the protocols that had been put in place, such as disinfecting equipment, temperature checks and COVID screenings had worked. However, what happened to others around them and whether or not they followed similar protocols was out of their hands.
“I told the guys to just take it in stride. We don’t have any control of that. It is what it is. Don’t dwell on it. We’ll be back in a couple of weeks. I told them to just concentrate on their grades and work on getting healthy and staying healthy,” Canchola said.
Canchola said the biggest issue he is facing as head coach is ensuring his players stay in shape during their time away from the practice field. He said because the players can’t work out together, or under the direct supervision of coaches, he said he’s challenged them to take the initiative and work on their own.
“We’re challenging them to eat well and not to slack off for the next couple of weeks. If they aren’t exercising or eating well they won’t be in the condition they need to be in,” Canchola said. “The other thing we’ve been doing is urging them to take care of their studies. There’s no excuse now not to focus on school and passing the next six weeks. Failing in the season is unacceptable.”
Del Rio’s only match this season was against San Antonio Cornerstone Dec. 29. The Rams lost, 3-1, but Canchola said there were plenty of positives the team could take away from the loss.
“Overall, Cornerstone touched better. They had incredible speed. Their two players on top were amazing. They broke through us and got their goals. We controlled the ball most of the time, but when we lost it they took advantage and took great shots,” Canchola said. “Defensively, they had one really good center, but their best defensive player was their goalkeeper. He was top notch and had a huge wingspan. We shot a shot on target and it was headed to the top left corner. He flies out of nowhere and snatches it out of the air, then takes it down and rolls it off. To me, that goalkeeper kept them in the game and saved some goals. We missed a PK (penalty kick) as well.”
The Rams’ only goal came from senior Angel Aldrete. A four-year member of the Rams, Aldrete is seen as the Rams’ best player, according to Canchola. The biggest concern for Canchola is finding the right combination of players to compliment Aldrete’s style of play.
Aldrete isn’t the only standout on the Rams. Joining Aldrete are Manny Vela on the right wing, midfielder Felipe Estrada and newcomer Eli Losoya. On defense, Noe Trujillo, at center back, and Christian Perez, at left back, have become dominant players at their respective positions.
“We expect several other players that are coming into their own. We just need to find more consistency in their play. That’s all a part of their development,” Canchola said.
If all goes as according to plan, the Rams would be able to be back on the field in time for their Jan. 22 against Midland. However, that will only happen if the COVID-19 positivity rate in the community is back to pre-winter break levels and if the team can pass antigen tests to ensure the players have not been exposed to COVID during the current break.
“We should have a good year this season. The team got shut down last year, but we want to try and finish this year,” Canchola said. “You just gotta roll with what the world throws at you. You’re gonna have obstacles. We’re just gonna focus on just being mentally ready for anything. We’re not gonna cry about it; we’re just gonna go through it. Yes, there’s some disappointment, but I told them not to think ‘Aw here we go again.’ It’s not going to be like this forever. That’s the good news. I know it feels like forever, it feels like a pain, but in the big picture, things will go back to normal … eventually.”
