(Hidalgo, Tx)-The Hidalgo High School Early College Pirates started its 2022 football season at 5-1 and then went 0-4 to miss the playoffs. Since then, the Pirates have hired Steve Marroquin, former San Benito HS offensive coordinator to bring changes to its football program. “I’m excited about being here at Hidalgo and I want to thank this administration for believing in me,” adds Marroquin.
The Pirates will have the task to make the playoffs in 2023 before the University Interscholastic League realigns every district in Texas this coming February 2024. In District 16-4A Division I, Calallen, Tulso-Midway, Alice, Kingsville, all from the Corpus Christi areas, were paired with Rio Grande Valley teams from Zapata, La Feria, and Hidalgo to make up this new realignment back in 2022.
The Pirates returns only 15 lettermen, including five starters on both sides of the field. Anthony Nava will lead the Pirates at quarterback (494 yards passing 4 TDs 597 yards rushing 10 TDs) along with leading rusher, Enrique Hernandez (2,569 career rushing yards 22 TDs), TE Christian Gonzalez (6’2 205lbs), OG Giovanni Cruz, and OL Raul Sedas. On defensive, DE Darian Garza returns with team-leading two quarterback sacks, along with DL Giovanni Gonzalez, DB Irvin Guerra, DL Cesar Pacheco, DB Andres Serna, and DB Robert Gallegos. (HSSMImages/Ruiz)