SANTA ROSA – The Warriors, who only won two games last season, are off to a hot start under new head coach Hector Ayala. After double-digit wins against Hidalgo and La Villa, Santa Rosa squeaked out a 21-18 victory Friday in Progreso. The Warriors limited the Red Ants to only three second-half points in the win.

“They’ve been getting to the ball,” said Ayala. “I think Coach Salazar has done a real good job of putting them in the right spot defensively and these kids are starting to make plays. It’s a little change from what we’ve had the past couple of years. It’s very positive. They hard work they put in at practice is what makes the positive result on Fridays.”

“We have people that are motivated, “said Santa Rosa senior Vicente Saldivar. “The coaches have done a good job at getting us disciplined and changing our mentality from last year. We like to get hyped up and try to make a play.”

“It’s very exciting,” said Santa Rosa senior Samuel Torres. “It’s just all mental. You have to put your mind into it and you got to enjoy the game. It’s just do the work and do the job right.”

Next up for the Warriors, Aransas Pass on Friday. The game against the Panthers will be a neutral site contest held in Sinton.