(Mission, Tx)-The Sharyland High School Rattlers will kickoff their 2021 season without longtime head coach, Ron Adame. He is now the Sharyland ISD Athletic Director.

   Former defensive coordinator, Craig Krell takes over as the new head coach and he is ready for 2021. “I just want to thank the Sharyland ISD administration for giving me this opportunity,” said Krell.  

  He will lead a Rattler team that returns thirty lettermen with just four starters on both sides of the ball.   

  On offense, OT Oscar Ramos (6’3 275lbs) leads the front line with QB Dimas Lopez returning to take over duties. His passing targets will be WR Diego Zavala (12 catches 100yards), WR Ricky Vasquez (8 catches 65 yards), along with RB Jose Altimirano, RB Alan Guerrero, and ATH Alan Gonzalez. 

  On defense, the Rattlers returns linebackers Javier Trevino (6’0 190lbs 46 tackle), Jacob Cano, DE Luis Villarreal (30 tackles), DL Jake Martinez, and special teams kicker and punter Mikaeli Nguma.  In the backfield, Alejandro Gonzalez returns at strong safety. He had two interceptions in 2020 and made 52 tackles. On special teams, junior Nguma will give the Rattlers (25 kickoffs 1,262 yards) plenty of experience with his kickoffs, field goal attempts, and punts. 

   Krell watched his team miss the UIL State 5A playoffs for the first time in nine seasons but he is optimistic that the Rattler tradition will continue with success in 2021. “I’m looking forward to leading this team and our coaching staff is ready to get to work,” says Krell. 

  The Rattlers will meet Brownsville Pace at home on August 27th and will travel to Brownsville Hanna at Sams Stadium on September 4th, non-district action, before opening District 16-5A DII against Edcouch-Elsa High School on September 10th.

   Sharyland will be looking to make the playoffs after being ousted by PSJA Southwest 21-7 to end their year at 3-2, 2-1 overall in their season finale in the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020.  In five games, the Rattlers rushed for 997 yards and passed for 712 yards with 20 touchdowns scored. On defense, the Rattlers defense had 492 tackles with just seven quarterback sacks and four interceptions. HSSM picks the Rattlers fifth overall.