Football begins

So far, the team is going through a period of adjustment, he said.

"We've got a bunch of new guys, and we're trying to increase our depth by taking some of our better athletes and playing them both ways," said Helms, who is beginning his second season directing the Raid-ers after a 1-9 start in 2007. "We've got some on defense (for the first time) and some others on offense who haven't been there before, and after just Versatility is a key word for the Rivera Raiders at this point of the young football season.

The Raiders began two-a-day workouts on Monday, and a number of the starters will be going both ways this year, head coach Jim Helms said.

a couple of days, they're a little confused right now, but I think things are beginning to sink in a little bit.

"We have three scrimmages before our first game, and hopefully, by then, everybody will be on the same page," he added.

The Raiders scrimmage at Edinburg High on Aug. 16, at Edinburg North on Aug. 23 and then take on McAllen Memorial at Rivera's field on Aug. 28.

Rivera opens the season on Sept. 5 at Donna and then visits PSJA North on Sept. 13 before traveling to McAllen Rowe on Sept. 19 to complete its non-district schedule.

"All three of those teams (Donna, PSJA North and Rowe) were playoff teams last year, so we've got our work cut out for us," Helms said. "It's not going to be easy."

The Raiders' District 32-5A opener is Sept. 26 against Lopez.

This week the Raiders are practicing at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily with a weight-lifting session in between. The Raiders will don pads on Friday. The two-a-days will continue into next week.

"We've still got some players who are coming in, but the ones that we've been counting on are al-ready here," Helms said.

The Raiders return 18 lettermen, including two starters on offense and five on defense.

The offensive starters back are linemen Lupe Encina and Juvenal Rivera. Both are expected to start on the defensive line, too. Rivera is coming off an injury that sidelined him part of the season a year ago.

The defensive starters returning are strong safety Gabriel Garcia, cornerbacks Joel Castillo and Jorge Velasquez, outside linebacker Rolando Garcia and defensive lineman Marshall Menchaca.

The returning starters are all seniors.

"So far, things are going great and we're looking better than last year," said Menchaca, a 5-foot-5, 225-pound two-year starter who is slated to see double duty in the line. "We've improved. A lot of guys are going both ways, and everything is going fine.

"Our biggest challenge right now is getting our conditioning so that we can play both ways," he added. "First, we're going to go for whatever we can win, and after that the city (championship) and then the district (playoff spot). We'd just like to get back to winning under Coach Helms."

Encina, a 6-0, 236-pound two-year starter, echoed Menchaca's sentiments.

"The coaches have been having us go both ways, and I think we've been doing a pretty good job," Encina said. "We're starting off a little bit slow, but that's because it's been sort of like getting used to a new defense and offense.

"I know we'll be better than last year, that's for sure," he added. "Right now, everyone's a little tired be-cause of two-a-days, but once gameday (regular season) is here, I think it will help us do pretty good. I'm just hoping this year will be one of my best years in football, and I'm looking forward to the start of the season."

Helms said one area he wants to improve upon is the Raiders' rushing attack.

"We want to be a better running team than we were a year ago, so we're really going to emphasize run-ning the ball better," he said.

"I think we're going to be a better team and we're going to be competitive," Helms added. "If we get our guys in the right positions, and focus on doing what they can do best, we should be all right. I think the most important thing is not doing so much what I want to do, but doing what our players can do best. We're going to find out what that is, and that's what we're going to do."