BROWNSVILLE - While more than 100 future Raiders are learning the fundamentals of football each morning at the Rivera Raiders Middle School Futures Camp, another important step in building the future of the program is taking place each afternoon.

The Rivera Raiders varsity football coaching staff is hosting a three-day Rivera Football Coaching Clinic for coaches from Garcia and Perkins Middle Schools, bringing together every level of the Rivera football family under one vision, one philosophy, and one standard.

Running Monday through Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the clinic is designed to ensure that players entering Rivera High School receive consistent instruction, terminology, and expectations throughout their football journey. From offensive and defensive schemes to practice organization and player development, the clinic emphasizes continuity across the entire Rivera football cluster.

Day One: Installing the Raider Offense

Monday's sessions centered on the Raiders' offensive system.

Offensive Coordinator Armando Medrano opened the clinic with presentations on the Raiders' base run game and quick passing game before coaches broke into position-specific meetings.

The day's instruction included:

Jesus Alvarez – Quarterbacks
Luis Garza – Running Backs
Travis Parker – Wide Receivers
T.J. Salazar – Offensive Line

The first day concluded with a collaborative offensive install review, group discussion, and question-and-answer session, allowing coaches to discuss concepts and share ideas.

Day Two: Building the Raider Defense

Tuesday shifted the focus to the defensive side of the football.

Defensive Coordinator Raul Maraboto opened the day with the Raiders' defensive philosophy, introducing the foundation of the program's three-man and four-man fronts before coaches moved into position meetings.

Additional presentations were led by:

Ricardo Miner – Linebackers
Greg Blanco – Defensive Backs
Edward Garcia – Defensive Ends
Omar Leal – Defensive Tackles

The afternoon concluded with another install review, staff discussion, and question-and-answer session, giving coaches the opportunity to collaborate on teaching techniques, terminology, and defensive concepts.

For Head Coach Johnny Garza, the clinic represents much more than simply installing offensive and defensive schemes.

"Day 2 continued to build on the foundation we established on the first day," Garza said. "We had nearly 150 athletes participating from our feeder schools through the Strength & Conditioning program, and the energy and enthusiasm were outstanding. What impressed me most was the attention to detail."

Garza said the progress being made both on the field and in the meeting room is a direct reflection of the program's commitment to building a championship culture from the ground up.

"Our coaches provided great instruction, our systems were organized, and our athletes responded with focus and effort. That's how you build a program."

Wrapping Up the Clinic

The clinic concludes Wednesday with Head Coach Johnny Garza presenting the Rivera Raiders Football Philosophy, program expectations, and important dates heading into the 2026 season.

Coaches will then participate in sessions covering both Raider defense and Raider offense before ending the clinic with a combined staff discussion focused on practice organization, installation procedures, and a final question-and-answer session.

Although the three-day clinic officially comes to a close Wednesday afternoon, Garza believes the work being done now will have a lasting impact throughout the Rivera football program.

"The excitement is growing as we head into Day 3, but our focus remains on getting better one day at a time."

While the young athletes attending the Futures Camp are sharpening their skills each morning, the coaches responsible for their development are spending each afternoon strengthening their own knowledge and building a unified approach to teaching the game.

Together, the Futures Camp and Coaches Clinic demonstrate Rivera Football's commitment to developing players and coaches alike—creating one culture, one system, and one Raider standard from the feeder middle schools to Friday nights under the lights at Sams Memorial Stadium.

Coaching Clinic Photos: Click Here/

Day 2 Futures Camp Photos: Click Here/


Iran Perez AKA Biggie
Perez serves as a freshman football coach, varsity assistant boys basketball coach, and social media manager/webmaster for Rivera Raiders Football.