Joking Monday afternoon that he really hadn't left Ignacio High School all year, meaning since the start of the previous scholastic calendar, it was clear Coach "Ponch" Garcia had enjoyed a successful, winning weekend of softball at the annual Escalante Days Tournament in Dolores.
Set to officially begin his third fall as Bobcat football's head coach just about three hours later, he certainly needed the two-day getaway before the getting the gridiron grind underway. He's hopeful that a positive off-season will help fill numerous positions vacated by last season's large graduating class.
"We had the weight room open all summer and I was happy," he said. "Expectations will be way different; we want to be more successful and hopefully we accept that challenge."
"The coaching staff also has grown; we're not 'freshmen' anymore, we're not 'sophomores' anymore! We're 'juniors' as coaches now, so expectations are really going to grow," he added. "Kids will be able to get more individual time, more one-on-one, and hopefully better direction."
But as in 2016, the 'Cats will have to be as quick a collective study as possible; the 2017 schedule kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, with a Zero Week visit from non-conference Ellicott. Last year's venture into El Paso County was a tough go, as the Thunderhawks shook off a slow start at home to humble IHS 52-15.
"Out there, you know, we were looking for a game and they were a very good squad," Garcia said. "Ellicott is coached well, but our kids last year, felt we should have done much better. During the game we were up and down (the field), but hopefully this year we'll put it in the end zone!"
Who will step up and march the Bobcats up and down IHS Field, as well as other sites, this season is Priority No. 1 the boss and his staff will need to address. With graduated Zach Weinreich now a freshman on the Fort Lewis College football roster, Garcia identified senior Marcus Chapman, junior Trace Lovelace and last season's primary backup, junior Isiah Jacket, as the early candidates for the wide-open job.
"Quarterback position is going to be tough to fill," admitted Garcia, noting Chapman's primary role last year was as a wide receiver, and Lovelace a backup running back behind since-graduated regulars Ethan Appenzeller and Lorenzo Peña.
But when it does become filled, whoever's throwing should have options eager to catch. Senior Kruz Pardo and junior Lawrence Valdez were two of the Southern Peaks Conference's swiftest runners in '16, whether on special teams or offense, and seniors Cole McCaw and Nate Herrera and sophomore Ocean Hunter will bring experience to the Bobcat team.
Potentially led by senior Natoni Cundiff and junior Dustin Sanchez, amongst others, the interior lines could surprise as well, despite graduation claiming regulars Dalton Labarthe and Dalton Mickey.
Overall, the most important pre-season aspect concerning Garcia was and is the crew's mental approach.
"We have, you know, that positive attitude," he stated, "and hopefully we can have the kids buy into what we're trying to teach. The main goal is to make the kids like what we're trying to do here, and hopefully that creates success and brings them together."
After hosting Ellicott, IHS is slated to welcome 3A Crownpoint, N.M., at 7 p.m. on Sept. 1 for a rematch of last season's contest dominated by the Bobcats. 2A Montezuma-Cortez then visits on Sept. 15, undoubtedly remembering Ignacio's romp inside Panther Stadium last fall. After a trip to 2A Pagosa Springs on the 22nd, the 'Cats (3-6 overall, 1-4 conference in 2016) begin 1A SPC action at home on the Sept. 29 versus Monte Vista.
The Pirates, along with conference members Centauri and Dolores, were included in the 'Others Receiving Votes' part of the CHSAANow.com preseason Class 1A rankings released Monday.
