Vela 2024 football preview

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Vela High School football has been the standard of excellence for the past decade, and they believe that will not be going anywhere in 2024.

Head Coach Ernie Alonzo enters his first season at the helm following John Campbell's retirement in January. Alonzo spent the past four seasons as defensive coordinator at McAllen High. He also previously served as an assistant coach at Weslaco High and Vela.

Alonzo inherits a team full of returners on both sides of the ball. However, there are also new pieces joining the roster, which includes senior quarterback Geoffrey LeFevre.

LeFevre spent the past three seasons leading Donna High School's passing game. In 2023, LeFevre threw for 3,324 yards and 24 TDs.

Alonzo said the addition of LeFevre is huge for his offense, but it will take work for his offense to be on the same page.

"I expect us to start gelling together with new chemistry," Alonzo said. " We have a new quarterback coming in and receivers, so gelling together will be big. Having a high-powered offense and a defense that's just as opportunistic just takes us to another level."

LeFevre knows expectations at Vela are a lot bigger than what they were at Donna. All offseason, LeFevre has worked on the little things that translate to success, which included being his own "worst critic."

He said, "A lot of it [last season] was just overthinking. You know, it was taking the deep shot when it wasn't there. I have to take what the defense gives me and do what needs to be done."

The Sabercats' new quarterback has also energized LeFevre's offensive counter parts. Senior wide receiver Derek Rodriguez said, "I think our new QB [LeFevre] and the wide receiver room is going to be a big key for us this year. I know we have a bunch of returners from last year's defense, so I think the offense will compliment that come gametime."

To put Vela's decade of dominance into perspective, they've averaged 52.3 points per game in Week 1.

Vela will face Edinburg North to kick off the 2024 season Friday, Aug. 30, at Richard Flores Stadium.