DECATUR -- Things are looking up in Decatur.

Decatur is bigger and stronger than a year ago and a successful 7-on-7 schedule this past summer has Bulldogs coach Shane Holland in an optimistic mood. Decatur was 2-8 last season after qualifying for the Class 2A playoffs in 2012.

"We think we are going to be better than last year and we look to improve," Holland said. "Conditioning wise, we are miles ahead of where we were at this time last year. If we stay healthy and keep improving, I think we have a good chance of making the playoffs. We have some pretty good returning skill players with a lot of game experience."

Tops on that list is senior quarterback Victor Urquidi and tailback Allan Castaneda.

Urquidi injured his shoulder late in his sophomore season and he missed his junior year after having season-ending surgery last August.

Urquidi (6-foot, 197 pounds) rushed 184 times for 1,222 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 53 of 108 passes for 798 yards and eight touchdowns as the Bulldogs' quarterback in 2012. As a middle linebacker, he had 140 tackles, including 79 solo stops.

"We have our quarterback back, and he is the bell cow," Holland said. "Victor has been our leader and that makes a huge impact. Allan was basically a 1,000 yard rusher a year ago. Those are two good guys to build around. We just have a lot of skill guys back."

Holland said a summer schedule of 7-on-7 competitions has helped mold Urquidi into a run-pass threat.

"Victor looks good right now," Holland said. "His understanding of the reads in the offense has progressed quite a bit. Two years ago, I don't know if he knew where he was throwing it or why he was throwing it. He can look and see things he couldn't see before."

Urquidi's shoulder is fully healed and he said that he is a more confident passer after competing in 7-on-7 tournaments this summer.

"It was horrible sitting out last year because I couldn't help my team," Urquidi said. "I was miserable watching our team lose. This summer has helped me read plays better and who I should pass it to. My passing game is lot better."

Castaneda (5-6, 150) rushed for 961 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and Urquidi expects his classmate to have an even better senior season. Castaneda will also start at safety.

"I have a lot less stress on me because Allan is going to get us yards," Urquidi said. "Every time he gets the football, Allan will get positive yards."

But the Bulldogs do have a lot of question marks on both the offensive and defensive lines. To compensate for a lack of depth, Decatur has switched from a 4-2-5 defense to a 3-4 defensive scheme.

"This doesn't require as many linemen types," Holland said. "One thing we can do is run. We have pretty good speed and this allows us to put more speed on the field. This will also allow us to not send guys both ways on the line all the time."

Senior Hector Aguilar (5-7, 180) brings experience to both the offensive and defensive lines while sophomores Brandon Coker (5-9, 215), Cameron Shaffer (5-7, 180) and Fabian Batres (5-7, 210) are also in the mix.

"Nothing is set in stone where we are going with those guys," Holland said.

Sports on 08/20/2014