2018 HSSM December Issue

2018 UIL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF HIGHLIGHTS Nov-Dec Issue 2018

INSIDE LOOK

High School Sports Magazine’s

All-South Texas Team UIL Football PLAYOFFS

Football Basketball

The Preview

What A

SEASON!

Patriots Advances to State 5A DI Quarterfinals Class 4A DI Regional Finals

La Feria 13 La Vernia 41

Class 6A DI Regional Finals

Weslaco 14 Lake Travis 56 Judson 69 San Benito 18

Class 6A DII Regional Finals

Edinburg Vela 0 Westlake 28 Bro Hanna 32 SA Brandeis 33

Nov-Dec 2018

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Coach of the

Aaron Alvarez PSJA North HS DE

Defensive Player

Year

Dave Gilpin

Mission Veterans Memorial HS

of the

Year

High School Sports Magazine

All-South Footba

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Nov-Dec 2018

Landry Gilpin QB

Mission Veterans Memorial HS

Player of the

Year

e’s

all Texas Team

By David “Tddave”Amador, HSSM Sports Director

Nov-Dec 2018

(McAllen, Tx)-What a Season! Six teams from the Rio Grande Valley all advanced to the third round together, for the first time, in Valley history. However, one team took it one step further.

The Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots (12-2) made school history as longtime head football coach, Dave Gilpin led his team to it’s first-ever University Interscholastic League’s State 5A Division One Football Quarterfinals.

The Patriots played fourteen games with a grueling nine-game District 165A DI schedule. “It was tough and I’m so proud of our team and coaches. We always talked about playing football in December,” said Gilpin, after their 62-55 win over Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (12-1) in the third round of the state playoffs at the Alamodome in San Antonio on December 1st.

“Nobody believed that we could get this far, but, we made it. We beat Victoria

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

and Gilpin earned the right to be named High School Sports Magazine’s 2018 All-South Texas Coach of the Year. “This is an honor. To finish No.1 in the polls and then this honor, (pauses) this is great,” said Gilpin.

Leading the Patriots was senior quarterback,

East, SA Veterans, and Corpus Christi Veterans,” an emotional Gilpin told HSSM. The Patriots advanced to the State 5A DI Quarterfinals with another road trip, back to the Alamodome to play 13-5A Converse Wagner (13-1) on December 8th. “Look at us, we are back on a Saturday morning at the Alamodome,” said Gilpin.

“This is what we play for at Mission Veterans.”

The Patriots earned the right to end their season as the No. 1 ranked team in the HSSM Top 10 polls

gering 2,112 yards and 32 TDs. “I’m honored to have been named as MVP but,

this one

is

Landry Gilpin.

The 5’10” 175lb elusive player led his team to twelve victories to earn High School Sports Magazine’s Player of the Year award. “He earned it. He’s probably the best quarterback I have ever coached and it’s been an honor knowing that he was my son. I’m going to miss him,” added Gilpin.

Landry passed for 4,544 yards in one season with 50 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions. He also rushed for another stag-

Special Teams Player of the

Year Robert Amador III McAllen HS Punter

for my team,”

said

In

Landry.

The team “Patriots” scored a total of 94 TDs and averaged 235 rushing yards per game and 341 passing yards. total, the Patriots blistered their opponents for 8,076 yards of total offense and scored 650 points. Landry ends his career with

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

6

MVP

Offense?

16 What A

SEASON...

Nov-Dec 2018

19 The

Playoffs...

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The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Nov-Dec 2018

Offensive Player of the

Year Victor Campos Brownsville Hanna QB

7,936 yards passing and 86 touchdown passes. He also rushed for another 3,931 yards and scored 66 touchdowns on the ground. “This will probably hit my Dad during the holidays and we will both sit and cry about these moments,” said Landry.

The HSSM 2018 Offensive Player of the Year award goes to junior quarterback, Victor Campos (6’2 215

lbs) from Brownsville Hanna High School. He led the Eagles (10-2) to the third round of the State 6A DII Regional Championships at the Alamodome in San Antonio against San Antonio Bradeis High School.

The Eagles ended their season with a heart-breaking 33-32 loss to the Broncos. Campos was sensational in 2018. He led the Eagles to the District 32-6A title

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The UIL 2018 Playoffs

with a perfect 5-0 record. Most notable, the Eagles defeated Amarillo Tascosa 35-14 on September 29th in non-district. The District 2-6A Tascosa Rebels advanced to the UIL State 6A Semifinals before losing to Longview HS 45-42. Campos passed for 1,539 yards on passing 97 of 175 attempts and 17 TDs with 5 Ints.

He also rushed for 472 yards and 9 TDs On Defensive, the High School Sports Magazine’s Player of the Year award went to defensive end DE Aaron Alvarez from PSJA North HS. The 5’11 200lb junior recorded a staggering 18 quarterback sacks with 31 QB Hurries. He ranked No.1 in 6A Region IV and finished No.2 in Class 6A amongst sack leaders.

The High School Sports Magazine’s Special Teams award went to junior punter, Robert Amador (6’2 220lbs) from McAllen High School in District 306A. The junior punter had 44 punts for 37.5 average with ten punts inside the 20-yard line and five punts

Rigo Davila 6’4 275lbs McAllen Rowe OT 2-year starter junior

Malachi Dames McAllen HS Sr 10 QB Sacks

Nov-Dec 2018

downed inside the five yard line in 2018 for 1,650 yards in eight games. His longest punt of the season went 56.0 yards. With two games left to play, Amador went to then-McAllen HS head football coach Kevin Brewer, and asked if it would be okay to turn over his punting duties to senior, Raul Cantu. “That’s the kind of player Robert is, I admired this when he walked into my office,” said Brewer. The senior would-be punter/fullback, Cantu, had developed a staph infection and sat out the first six games in 2018. “I wanted my teammate to end his career with what he loved best,” said Amador. “That’s what being a teammate is all about. He deserved this opportunity.”

The High School Sports Magazine’s Wide-Receiver of the Year goes to sophomore, AJ Gonzaque from Mission Veterans Memorial HS. He was Landry Gilpin’s go-to-guy on the field. Gonzaque caught passes for 1,493 yards and 75 receptions with 15 TDs. He helped lead his Patriots to the State 5A DI Football

Isaiah Garcia 6’2 280lb PSJA Southwest OL Leads team to 4-6

Luis Gutierrez

Edinburg Vela LB 3-yr starter 60 tackles

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The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Quarterfinals for first time in school history. The speedy 6’0 player averaged 19.9 yards per catch.

Ranked No.1 in Region IV. Listed are the Top football players named to High School Sports

Magazine’s First team selections chosen by David “Tddave” Amador.

“These players proved that hard work pays off,” says HSSM Publisher, Amador.

AJ Gonzaque

Eddie Villarreal

Mission Veterans WR 1,493 Rec Yards 15 TDs

Top Quarterbacks

La Joya HS RB 1,623 Rushing Yards 22 TDs

Trey Guajardo PSJA High School 3,371 yards passing 261 of 406 attempts 32 TDs 4 Ints 11 Games

Anthony Sotelo Edinburg Vela HS 2,133 yards passing 148 of 230 attempts 25 TDs 5 Ints 13 Games

Josiah Ortega Rio Hondo High School 2,479 yards passing 170 of 295 attempts 27 TDs 8 Ints

Top Running Backs Campbell Speights McAllen Memorial High 1,832 yards rushing 245 carries

Trey Guajardo

Daniel Vazquez

PSJA Bears QB 3,371 Passing 32 TDs

Rio Hondo HS RB 1,750 Rushing Yds 12 TDs

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The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Nov-Dec 2018

Great Season! Mission Veterans Memorial HS head football coach Dave Gilpin talks to his team after advancing to the UIL State 5A DI Quarterfinals for the first time in school history. Gilpin was named High School Sports Magazine’s All-South Texas Coach of the Year in 2018. (HSSMImages) 29 TDs Daniel Vazquez Rio Hondo High School 1,750 yards rushing 201 carries 12 TDs Eddie Villarreal La Joya High School 1,623 yards rushing 252 carries 22 TDs Top Receivers Miguel Flores PSJA High School 1,116 yards 80 catches 14 TDs 16.4 yards per catch.

Frank Hernandez Rio Hondo High School 970 yards 57 catches 15 TDs 17.0 ypc Cross Gonzalez Rio Hondo High School 929 yards 52 catches 9 TDs 17.9 ypc Daniel Enriquez-Edinburg Vela 892 yards 58 catches 10 TDs 15.4 ypc

Marco Guarjardo-PSJA HS 886 yards 60 catches 11 TDs 14.8 yards per catch.

Defensive Linemen Seven Sanchez-PSJA North 184 tackles 75 solo 108 asst 8 QB Sacks Nikko Perez-San Benito DT 12 QB Sacks

152 tackles 63 solos 89 asst 8 QB Sacks Javo Lopez-Sharyland HS 151 tackles 91 solos 60 asst 3 QB Sacks Ryan Reyna-PSJA North HS 135 tackles 47 solos 88 asst 3

Aja Hernandez La Feria HS 13 QB Sacks

Brandon Esteves-Brownsville Hanna DT 13 QB Sacks 17 Hurries Joey Garcia MissionVeterans Memorial HS

Jacob Sanchez-PSJA HS 142 tackles 59 solos 83 asst Defensive Backs Gus Garza Mission Veterans Memorial HS DB 6 Interceptions 148 tackles 40 solos 31-6AAAAAA Edinburg Vela 12-1, 6-0 Weslaco 11-2, 5-1 Weslaco East 5-5, 4-2 Edinburg 7-4, 3-3 Edinburg North 2-8, 2-4 Economedes 4-6, 1-5 Donna North 0-10, 0-6

AJ Garcia Jr. San Benito 12 QB Sacks

Malachi Dames 6’0 235lbs McAllen HS DT 10 QB Sacks 5 Hurries

QB Sacks

Final District Standings 32-6AAAAAA Bro Hanna 10-2, 5-0 San Benito 8-5, 4-1 Harlingen 5-5, 3-2 Harlingen South 4-7, 2-3 Los Fresnos 3-7, 1-4 Brownsville Rivera 0-10, 0-5

30-6AAAAAA PSJA 7-4, 6-1 McAllen Memorial 6-5, 5-2 PSJA North 7-5, 5-2 Mission 8-3, 5-2 McAllen Rowe 5-5, 3-4 La Joya 6-4, 3-4 McAllen 2-8, 1-6 LJ Juarez-Lincoln 0-10, 0-7

Nov-Dec 2018

The UIL 2018 Playoffs FINAL TOP 10 FB POLLS 1. Mission Veterans 12-2 2. Bro Hanna 10-2 3. Edinburg Vela 12-1 4. Weslaco 11-2 5. San Benito 8-5 6. La Feria 11-2 7. Refugio 11-3 8. Woodsboro 13-1 9. Sharyland 8-4 10. PSJA North 7-5

Go Rattlers! The Sharyland Rattlers celebrated their win over Somerset in the Class 5A Division II Bi-District Championships. (HSSMImages)

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La Joya Area FCU P.O. Box 1300 La Joya, Texas 78560 956-585-6207 Johnn Alaniz, President/CEO

La Joya ISD Superintendent Dr. Alda T. Benavides

La Joya ISD Athletic Director Alex Guajardo 956.323.2031 La Joya High School Principal Antonio Cano La Joya Palmview Principal Yvonne Ayala La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Principal Ricardo Estrada

La Joya ISD School Board Armin Garza-President Claudia Ochoa-Vice-President Alex Cantu-Secretary JJ Pena-Member John Alaniz-Member Frances Salinas-Member Oscar Salinas-Member

Head Coach Magarito Requenez

District 16-5A Division I La Joya 8/31 @Rio Grande City* 9/7 9/14 Bro Porter* 9/20 @Donna* PSJA Southwest* 9/27 10/4 @Bro Pace* @PSJA Memorial* 10/19 Bro Lopez* 10/26 @Mission Veterans* 11/2 Bro Veterans* 11/9

Head Coach Tomas Garcia

District 30-6A Rio Hondo @ Pioneer Edinburg PSJA North* @McAllen Rowe* Mission* @La Joya* McAllen Memorial* @McAllen* PSJA*

8/30 9/7 9/13 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/25 11/2 11/8

Head Coach Reuben Farias

District 30-6A @La Joya Palmview 8/31 9/7 Roma 9/14 @Sharyland 9/27 @PSJA* McAllen Memorial* 10/5 10/11 @McAllen* LJ Juarez-Lincoln* 10/19 10/26 @PSJA North* 11/2 McAllen Rowe* 11/9 @Mission*

*Denotes District Games

www.LaJoyaISD.com HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

200 West Expressway 83 La Joya, Texas 78560 956-323.2000

PAGE 11

12-1 Overall Record District 31-6A Champions

Head Coach John Campbell

Class 6A Division II Regional Finalists 8/30 Laredo United 48-20 W 9/7 Bro Hanna 35-20 W 9/14 McAllen Memorial 40-21 W 9/21 Los Fresnos 34-13 W

PAGE 12

9/28 Edinburg North 56-7 W 10/5 Economedes 42-7 W 10/12 Weslaco 17-7 W 10/25 Donna North 63-0 W 11/9 Weslaco East 21-0 W

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Bi-District Championships

11/16 Harlingen South 52-14 W Area Championships

11/23 Alexander 65-0 W Regional Championships

11/30 Westlake 28-0

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Edinburg Vela High School senior QB Rosendo Ramirez is tackled against Austin Westlake in the Class 6A DII Regional Championships played at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas. (HSSMIMages/Special) Jacob Garza-La Feria HS MLB 5 Interceptions

Tate Scott-Edinburg Vela HS 47 of 47 made 59 points

DE Jarod Lozano-Brownsville Hanna HS 6’2 220lbs

Alex Rodriguez La Joya 6’0 265lbs RG

Christopher Garza-Rio Hondo HS CB 5 Interceptions

Jorge Martinez-Weslaco HS 46 of 51 made 76 points

OLB Albert Mercado-San Benito HS 6’2 190lbs

Jayden Borjas-Edinburg Vela HS 6’5 280lbs

Special Teams Field Goals Jorge Martinez-Weslaco HS 10 of 11 attempts LG 46

Punters Tate Scott-Edinburg Vela HS 40 punts 1,439 yards 36.0 avg 11 punts inside 20-yard line 56 yards longest 13 Games

DT/DE Tristan Garcia-Harlingen 6’1 240lbs

Tyler Bailey-Edinburg Vela HS 6’4 275lbs

DE Seth Sanchez-Weslaco HS 220lbs 6’0 220lbs

Ronnie Garza-Edinburg Vela HS 6’6 279 lbs

Raymond Quintanilla Edinburg HS 31 punts 39.0 avg 1,209 yards Nine punts inside 20-yard line Longest 63 yards 11 Games played

DE Benito Juarez-Weslaco HS 6’1 225lbs

Cody Rodriguez-Weslaco HS 6’1 275lbs

DE Zane Sandoval-McAllen Memorial HS 6’4 235lbs

Teylor Doud-McAllen Memorial HS 6’5 320lbs

Top Offensive Linemen Chance Jenning-Harlingen South HS 6’2 285lbs AJ Garcia Harlingen South HS 6’5” 280lbs

Rigo Davila-McAllen Nikki Rowe HS 6’4 260lbs

Israel Barron Brownsville Veterans 8 of 12 attempts LG 47 Jared De Leon-PSJA 7-7 attempts LG 43 PATs Freddy Trujillo Mission Veterans Memorial 78 of 86 made 14 games 81 points

Issac Ochoa-La Joya HS 22 punts, 11 inside 20-yard line 8 games played 787 yards 35.8 avg Top Defensive Linemen

Top Linebackers Luis Gutierrez-Edinburg Vela HS MLB 5’10 205lbs

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Nov-Dec 2018

5A, 4A, 3A, 2A

Final District Standings 16-5AAAAA DI Mission Vets 12-2, 9-0 Bro Pace 7-4, 7-2 LJ Palmview 6-5, 6-3 Bro Veterans 7-4, 6-3 Donna 6-4, 5-4 PSJA SW 4-6, 4-5 PSJA Mem 4-6, 4-5 Rio Grande City 3-7, 3-6 Bro Lopez 3-8, 2-8 Bro Porter 1-9, 0-9

16-4AAAA DI La Feria 11-2, 4-0 Zapata 7-4, 3-1 Kingsville 5-6, 2-2 Grulla 3-8, 1-3 Hidalgo 2-8, 0-4

16-3AAA DI George West 10-2, 7-0 San Diego 8-3, 5-2 Lyford 7-4, 5-2 Aransas Pass 5-6, 5-2 Mathis 3-7, 3-4 Bishop 4-6, 2-5 Santa Gertrudis 3-7, 1-6 Falfurrias 1-9, 0-7

16-2AA DII Woodsboro 13-1, 5-0 La Villa 9-5, 4-1 Bruni 4-7, 3-2 Agua Dulce 8-4, 2-3 Premont 2-8, 1-4 Benavides 1-9, 0-5

16-4AAAA DII Raymondville 9-2, 3-0 Rio Hondo 9-2, 2-1 Port Isabel 4-6, 1-2 Progreso 3-8, 0-3

16-5AAAAA DII Sharyland 8-4, 6-0 Pioneer 7-4, 5-1 Mercedes 5-6, 4-2 Valley View 7-4, 3-3 Roma 3-7, 2-4 Ed-Elsa 2-8, 1-5 Laredo Cigarroa 0-10, 0-6

16-3AAA DII Odem 11-1, 6-0 CC London 8-3, 4-2 Hebbronville 7-5, 4-2 Santa Rosa 5-6, 3-3 Taft 3-7, 3-3 Monte Alto 2-8, 1-5 Banquete 2-8, 0-6

Tate Scott

Edinburg Vela Kicker 47-47 Extra Points

Hearlin Benavides Edinburg HS RB 1,435 yards 13 TDs

agua sUD Backs the Pack!

Best of Luck to All Athletes for a Winning Season!

Roger Hernandez President County Place 3

Cesar Rodriguez, Jr. Vice-President City of Mission

Esequiel Ortiz, Jr. Secretary City of Palmview

Lloyd A. Loya Treasurer City of Peñitas

Ivan Sandoval Director City of Sullivan City

Adolfo Arriaga Director City of La Joya

Homero Tijerina Director County Place 1

Eddie Saenz, P.E. General Manager & Agua SUD Employees

Ian Ochoa-Edinburg Vela HS LB 5’11 205lbs

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Three Interceptions

Mario Rodriguez-Edinburg HS LB 6’2 210lbs

Sean Skaugen, McAllen Memorial HS QB 6’2 185lbs

Newcomers of 2018 DE Kobe Gibson-Edinburg Vela HS 6’6 260lbs

Tito Moronta RB Mission HS 6’0 195lbs 1,135 yards rushing 9 TDs

David Chiquito McAllen HS DB

Ruben Salinas WR McAllen Nikki Rowe

6’2 714 yards 21.6 per catch 6 TDs Brady Bennett 6’4 220lbs Harlingen South HS TE 16 Catches 253 yards Cesar Macias RB Brownsville Hanna HS 1,457 yards rushing 15 TDs 18 receptions 186 yards

Nov-Dec 2018

Jacob Cavazos QB Weslaco HS 1,263 yards passing 21 TDs; 139 carries 940 yards rushing 9 TDs Jaime Galvan QB Harlingen HS 1,690 16 TDs 491 rushing 9 TDs

Jacob Rosales QB Sharyland Pioneer 1,901 yards passing 17 TDs 6 INTs

Class 6A Division I Bi-District Championships! District 30-6A PSJA North played host to Laredo United South Panthers at PSJA Stadium. The Raiders defeated the 29-6A Panthers to advance to the second round. (HSSMIMages/Special)

What A Season!

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Nov-Dec 2018

Six Teams from the RGV Go Deep in Playoffs

by David “Tddave” Amador, HSSM Sports Director

(San Antonio, Texas)-Three teams from the Rio Grande Valley all traveled to San Antonio, Texas on December 1st with hopes of making it to the “Final Eight” in

the 2018 University Interscholastic League Football playoffs. One day, three games, all at the Alamodome. The District 32-6A Champions, Brownsville

Hanna; runner-ups from District 31-6A Weslaco, and the 16-5A DI Champions, Mission Veterans Memorial High School Patriots brought plenty of fans.

More than 15,000 to be exact. The excitement of gameday on a Saturday in San Antonio set the mood of playing football with temperatures hovering around

Class 5A Division I Quarterfinals! Mission Veterans Memorial HS advanced to the fourth round of the UIL playoffs for the first time in school history before losing to Converse-Wagner HS 54-21 at the Alamdome in San Antonio. (HSSMIMages/Special)

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Nov-Dec 2018

Class 5A Division I Regional Champions! The Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots celebrated their 12th win of the season by defeating Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial 62-55 at the Alamodome on December 1st. (HSSMIMages) www.ACVDental.com

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2018 Valley View Tigers

2018 Football Schedule August 31 Sept 7 Sept 14 Sept 21 Sept 28 Oct 5 Oct 12 Oct 19 Nov 2 Nov 9 Nov 16 PAGE 18

HIDALGO PORT ISABEL BRO RIVERA DONNA NORTH ROMA* EDCOUCH-ELSA* PIONEER* MERCEDES* SHARYLAND * LAREDO CIGARROA CALALLEN

41-7 W 34-7 W 35-3 W 59-7 W 38-7 W 33-0 W 35-27 L 15-11 L 14-10 L 34-0 W 49-0 (playoffs)

Class 5A DII

FINALISTS 7-4 Valley View HS Head Football Coach Elifonso Esquivel

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

40 degrees outside.

At the Coastal Bend area, fans traveled to watch Edinburg Vela High School and La Feria play at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi to meet their two foes. District 31-6A Champions, Vela (12-1) faced 25-6A Champions, Austin Westlake (13-2) for the second straight season in the Class 6A Division II Regional finals on Friday night while

Nov-Dec 2018

16-4A DI Champions, La Feria head coach Oscar Salinas would lead his team against a powerful La Vernia (12-2) team from District 15-4A. On Friday night, the runner-up, San Benito Greyhounds (8-5) from District 32-6A would play host to the State 6A ranked No.3, Converse Judson Rockets (12-1) from District 26-6A at Bobby Morrow Stadium.

Class 6A Division I Regional Finals! State-ranked No.3 Converse Judson Rockets defeated the 32-6A runner-up, San Benito Greyhounds 69-18 at Bobby Morrow Stadium. The Greyhounds ended their season at 8-5 overall. (HSSMIMages/Special)

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Nov-Dec 2018

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Big Hit! Brownsville Hanna HS defensive end Brandon Esteves tackles San Antonio Brandeis quarterback Jordan Battle in the Class 6A Division II Regional Championships played at the Alamdome in San Antonio, Texas on December 1st.

(HSSMIMages/Special)

Most UIL State Football Titles

Eight Titles Won Richland Springs 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 Katy 1959, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2015 Southlake Carroll 1988, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011 Celina

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The Judson Rockets took off like, rockets, to take a 17-0 lead after the first quarter and led 45-0 at the half. “We played a great team tonight,” said Greyhounds head coach Dan Gomez. “Our team played their best and my hats off to the Judson Rockets.”

The Rockets passed for 246 yards and rushed for another 362 yards on 38 carries for the night. Rockets quarterback Mike Chandler completed 9 of 16 passes for 240 yards with two touchdown passes and rushed

ten times for 115 yards and two scores. Running back Sincere McCormick rushed six times for 103 yards and two touchdowns to add to his 1,396 yards rushing for the season.

The final score: Judson 69 San Benito 18 At Buccaneer Stadium, on the same night, the Edinburg Vela Sabercats trailed 14-0 at the end of the first half. With sophomore starting quarterback, Anthony Sotelo out with an injury, Vela head coach John Campbell tried to regroup

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Nov-Dec 2018

Class 6A Division I Regional Championships! The Weslaco Panthers advanced to the third round of the UIL State Football playoffs for the first time since 2007. The Panthers lost to Austin Lake Travis at the Alamodome. (HSSMIMages/Special)

his team in the locker room.

The Sabercats defense punished the Chaps too.

They knocked out senior starting quarterback, Taylor Anderson, so both teams had plenty to talk about at the half.

In the second half, the Chaps defense came on strong in the foggy conditions at Buccaneer Stadium by allowing no points and holding the Sabercats to thirty-two total passing yards and twenty-two yards rushing, including five quarterback sacks.

The final score: Austin Westlake 28 Edinburg Vela 0 With two teams eliminated from the third round of the UIL State Football playoffs, four teams remained and fans traveled to San Antonio, Texas with

hopes of witnessing history on Saturday at the Alamodome.

In Game One, more than 4,000 fans from Brownsville Hanna High School watched their high-flying Eagles take an early 26-7 lead with less than 7:04 left to play in the third quarter.

In the stands, Hanna fans celebrated as they watched junior quarterback Victor Campos hit his receivers, running slants and go routes. The 28-6A San Antonio Brandeis Broncos, still, had some unfinished business to take care of with plenty of time left to play.

In the final seven minutes, sophomore quarterback Jordan Battle fought back with two scores to narrow the Eagles lead to 26-20 at the end of the third quarter. In the final quarter,

Battle would lead his team to two more scores to lead the Broncos in their dramatic come-from-behind victory over a stunnedEagle team to win the Class 6A Division II Regional title. “This was a hard loss to swallow. This hurts,” said Hanna head coach, Mark Guess.

Final score: Brownsville Hanna 32 San Antonio Brandeis 33 The Rio Grande Valley was now down to three teams left playing for a state title.

Up next, it was the Weslaco Panthers (12-1) led by second-year head coach Michael Salinas in the Class 6A Division I Regional Championships.

The Panthers would meet the six-time state champions, Austin Lake Travis

Cavaliers. The Cavs got off to a quick start behind University of Texas-bound quarterback, Hudson Card (6’2 190lbs) and Ohio State commit, WR Garrett Wilson. Both players connected early on with three touchdown passes in the first half as the Cavs commanded a seven-touchdown pass performance in the first half

by Card. The Cavs defense proved to be too much for Weslaco junior quarterback, Jacob Cavazos (5’9 165lbs), as he was knocked out with a concussion in the first half. Hudson ended the day completing 23-of-34 passes for 443 yards. “We played a good Weslaco team,” said Lake Travis head coach Hank Carter.

The final score: Weslaco 14 Austin Lake Travis 56 Moving over to Bucca-

Nov-Dec 2018

neer Stadium, the 16-4A DI Champions, La Feria Lions met up with La Vernia in the Class 4A Division I Regional Championships. Head coach Oscar Salinas was making his first third round trip to Buc Stadium. The Lions held on, like the Vela Sabercats, to a trail 14-0 at the half in the cool afternoon.

In the end, La Vernia would score another 20 points in the fourth quarter to win 41-13.

The road to the state championships for the Lions ended with wins over Beeville Jones and Needville before falling to La Vernia.

With just one team left after the Lions lost on Saturday afternoon, Mission Veteran Memorial fans started to fill at the Alamodome. “We can win this one. At this point, it doesn’t matter who we play, its the quarterfinals,” said Patriots head coach Dave Gil-

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

pin. The Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots kicked off to undefeated Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial Eagles (12-0) from District 15-5A with plenty of hype coming from the stands.

Senior quarterback Landry Gilpin took over and he was spectacular in leading the Patriots to a wild 62-55 win to advance to their first-ever UIL State 5A Division I Quarterfinals. “We did it,” jumped a jubilant head coach, Gilpin.

Landry had his best day this season passing for 445 yards, completing 23-of47 passes and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 267 yards on 17 carries and two more scores. “He’s the best player I have ever coached,” said Gilpin.

“Best of all, we are coming back to the Alamodome next Saturday.” The Mis-

sion Veterans Memorial Patriots (12-1) survived and made history at the same time by becoming the first team in school history to go four rounds deep in the University Interscholastic League Football playoffs.

The Patriots faced 135A champions, Converse Wagner Thunderbirds. A power-running team verses a high-power passing attack team. “We know they love to run the ball but, we love to pass,” said Gilpin.

The Thunderbirds defense had yielded more than 80 quarterback sacks this season and would face the number one passing quarterback in Class 5A. The Patriots, for the second straight weekend were back in San Antonio, Texas to play for a spot in the State 5A Division “Final Four”. The Patriots did not

fare to well from the get go.

The T-Birds got off to a fast start by forcing the Patriots to three first half turnovers and a 21-7 halftime lead.

“We are still in this one,” Gilpin told HSSM. The second half proved to be a running-show for the TBirds as they scored 21-unanswered points en route to a 54-21 win. The T-Birds rushed for 492 yards on 55 carries with Karlton Black carrying the ball ten times for 165 yards with three scores and LJ Butler, only a sophomore, had 30 carries for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Landry Gilpin ended his career passing for 311 yards and was held to a minus -46 yards rushing.

“I’m so proud of this team and their accomplishments this season,” said Gilpin.

The senior QB was sacked nine times on Saturday.

Class 4A DI Regional Finals. The La Feria Lions advanced to the UIL State Football third round of the playoffs for the first time under head coach Oscar Salinas. The Lions lost to La Vernia 41-13. Picture is QB Dorian Hernandez looking for yardage. (HSSMImages/La Feria HS)

The UIL 2018 Playoffs

Nov-Dec 2018

Class 3A Division I Playoffs

Class 5A Division I Playoffs

Class 6A Division I Playoffs

Class 6A Division II Playoffs

Bi-District Championships Lyford 14 SA Cole 16

Bi-District Championships Bro Pace 7 CC Ray 42 Flour Bluff 56 LJ Palmview 21 CC Vets 44 Bro Veterans 14

Bi-District Championships Mission 28 La United 31 Weslaco 25 Harlingen 14 PSJA North 25 Laredo US 17 San Benito 46 Edinburg 20

Bi-District Championships La Alexander 40 McA Mem 28 Ed Vela 52 Har South 14 PSJA 28 Eagle Pass 34 Hanna 35 Wes East 20

Area Championships San Benito 43 PSJA North 35 Weslaco 30 United 14

Area Championships Ed Vela 65 Alexander 0 Hanna 28 Eagle Pass 13

Regional Championships Lake Travis 56 Weslaco 14 Judson 69 San Benito 18

Regional Championships Austin Westlake 28 Vela 0 SA Brandeis 33 Hanna 32

Quarterfinal Championships Lake Travis 38 Judson 21

Quarterfinal Championships SA Brandeis 0 Westlake 26

Semifinal Championships North Shore 51 Lake Travis 10

Semifinal Championships West Brook 35 Westlake 30

State 6A DI Finals Duncanville vs North Shore

State 6A DII Finals West Brook vs Longview

Class 3A Division II Playoffs Bi-District Championships Santa Rosa 14 Poth 35 Class 4A Division I Playoffs Bi-District Championships Zapata 11 Boerne 44 Kingsville 15 Gonzales 35 La Vernia 55 Grulla 28 La Feria 28 Beeville Jones 25 Area Championships La Feria 49 Needville 34 Regional Championships La Vernia 41 La Feria 13 Class 4A Division II Playoffs Bi-District Championships Rio Hondo 37 Ingleside 20 Port Isabel 56 CC West Oso 57 Rockport 55 Progreso 0 Ray’ville 48 Orange Grove 16 Area Championships Cuero 56 Rio Hondo 0 Raymondville 27 Navarro 35

Miss Vets 69 Victoria East 69 Area Championships Miss Vets 48 SA Vets 23 Regional Championships Mission Vets 62 CC Vets 55 Quarterfinals Mission Vets 21 Wagner 54 Semifinals Wagner 24 Shadow Creek 41 State 5A DI Finals Shawdow Creek vs Dallas Highland Park Class 5A Division II Playoffs Bi-District Championships Pioneer 55 Port Lavaca 56 Mercedes 7 SA Southside 56 Calallen 49 Valley View 0 Sharyland 27 Somerset 21 Area Championships Sharyland 35 Brenham 42

UIL State Football Championships December 19-22 Arlington, Tx

Class 6A Division I Bi-District Championships! District 30-6A PSJA North played host to Laredo United South Panthers at PSJA Stadium. The Raiders defeated the 29-6A Panthers to advance to the second round. (HSSMIMages/Special)

The UIL 2018-19 Basketball Preview

Rio Grande Valley Boys

BASKETBAL

The UIL 2018-19 Basketball Preview

Teams To Watch

LL PREVIEW (McAllen, Texas)-Only one team survived the first two rounds of the UIL State Basketball playoffs in Class 6A in 2018. The 32-6A fourth place team, Harlingen Cardinals advanced to the regional quarterfinals with wins over Edinburg North (66-48) and McAllen Memorial (59-55) before losing to Laredo Alexander 75-69.

Head coach Greg Yates has coached his Cardinals since 2005 and feels that this team in 2018-19 could be much better this season. “We are a talented group of players,” says Yates. Players to watch are Michael Arellano (16.0 ppg) and Tony Aguilar (7.0 ppg). In District 31-6A, the Weslaco Panthers will

be the team watch as they move into a new district after the realignments back in February. “We are new team with new faces,’ says head coach Gabe Valdez. The Panthers finished as the 326A runner-ups last season and lost to 31-6A Edinburg High School in the first round 57-50. The Panthers ended tournament play with two titles at the Tri-City Basketball Tournament and Hidalgo Pirate Classics.

At No.4, McAllen Nikki Rowe will be gunning for it’s third straight District 306A under head coach Jose Yebra. The longtime head coach was struck with an illness prior to the season and has since recovered, but, he

says “we need to play catch up”. The Warriors won the City of Palms Tournament

Boys Top 10 Pre-Season 1. Weslaco 2. Harlingen 3. McAllen Rowe 4. Pioneer 5. McAllen 6. Edinburg Vela 7. PSJA North 8. Economedes 9. Bro Veterans 10. Los Fresnos

New Season. The PSJA North Raiders will compete in District 30-6A while La Joya Palmview will move down to District 31-5A. Pictured are North Raiders Izaiaah Rangel (23) and Arturo Beltran (3). (HSSMIMages)

The UIL 2018-19 Basketball Preview

UIL 2017-18 Boys Basketball Champions Class 1A Lipan HS 36-1 Tournament Appearances 1953, 59, 94, 98, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2017, 2018

with a over McAllen in the championship game. The Warriors claimed back-toback district titles as they went undefeated in 2018 at 11-0 and in 2017, Yebra led his team to a 10-2 finish.

In District 31-5A, the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks will be the team to beat despite their 4-10 and seventh place finish in

district play last season.

“We have worked hard this past year,” says head coach Rene Gonzalez. Leading the Diamondbacks are LaVar Lindo (6’4), Aaron Cuevas (6’3), Luke Padilla (6’2), Taggart Chandler (6’2), and Eddie Marburger (6’2).

The D-Backs have played a tough non-district schedule with early losses to McAl-

len Nikki Rowe (55-41), Cibolo Steele (80-35), PSJA North (74-71), and Los Fresnos (49-48).

Another team to watch in 2018-19 will be the PSJA North Raiders from District 30-6A. Head coach Jaime Gongora feels that his team could make a run at winning a district title. This would mean knocking out Rowe.

Class 2A Stinnett West Texas 34-2 Tournament Appearances 2018 Class 3A Bowie 32-8 Tournament Appearances 1946, 47, 51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58, 74, 91, 2018 Class 4A Silsbee 28-8 Tournament Appearances 1972, 76, 83, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018 Class 5A Port Arthur Memorial 32-5 Tournament Appearances 2018 Class 6A Allen HS 32-5 Tournament Appearances 2014, 18

District 32-5A Brownsville Veterans Memorial High School Chargers coached by Larry Gibson. The Chargers finished in third place overall in 2018. (HSSMIMages)

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The UIL 2018-19 Basketball Preview

District 32-6A Harlingen South Hawks team members pictured are Brady Bennett, Alan Lin, Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Reyes, Ethan Mireles, Gabe Marez, Grant Lowery, Jared Soto, Joseph Cortez, Mark Becerra, Mito Velasquez, Reis Chaimberlin, Rudy Rodriguez, and Teyo Turrubiates. Head coach is Brian Molina. (HSSMIMages)

The UIL 2018-19 Basketball Preview

Rio Grande Valley Girls

BASKETBAL Girls Top 10 Pre-Season 1. Weslaco 2. Bro Hanna 3. PSJA North 4. Harlingen 5. Edinburg Vela 6. McAllen Mem 7. Port Isabel 8. Edinburg 9. Rio Hondo 10. Hidalgo

(Weslaco, Texas)-Longtime head basketball coach, Griselda Fino from Weslaco High School has built a basketball dynasty in this Mid-Valley city. For the past five seasons, Fino has posted an impressive 125-33 record, including five straight playoff appearances with three straight district titles. Players to watch in 2018-19 are seniors Roberta Perez, Illiyah Cantu, Jada Lopez, Kyanee Castaneda, and La Kysha Saldivar. The Lady Panthers will now move into District 31-6A after the UIL realignments took place last February.

In District 32-6A, head coach Luis

Gonzalez has his Brownsville Hanna Lady Eagles off to a fast start with twenty-wins this seasons. The Lady Eagles have posted early wins over CC Moody, SA Southwest, SA Southside, and McAllen Nikki Rowe. The Lady Eagles are led by Arlene Robles, Madey Guetierrez, Mia Paz, and Ariana Arceneaux. With only six teams in District 32-6A, the Lady Eagles will be challenged by the Harlingen Lady Cardinals and head coach Ashley Moncivaiz. The Lady Cardinals finished in third last season. Other teams to watch will be San Benito and Los Fresnos. In the 2018 Class 6A play-

Playoff Hopefuls? District 32-5A Valley View High School Lady Tigers, coached by Arnold Martinez will be much improved in 2019. The Lady Tigers will be looking for its first playoff since 2007. (HSSMIMages/Special)

The UIL 2018-19 Basketball Preview

Teams to Watch

LL PREVIEW offs, San Benito, Edinburg, Harlingen, and Weslaco all earned area playoff bids, but all four teams were ousted after the second round.

In Class 5A, Rio Grande City won the bi-district title by defeating Mercedes 46-43 along with Mission Veterans Memorial and Brownsville Veterans Memorial. All three teams were eliminated in the second round of the state playoffs.

In Class 4A, the 32-4A Hidalgo Lady Pirates made a playoff run, three rounds deep, by defeating RockportFulton 45-35, Pearsall 54-34, before falling to Corpus Christi West Oso in the regional quarterfinals 58-54. The

Lady Pirates were the only team from the Rio Grande Valley from Class 4A to advance past the first round.

The Port Isabel Lady Tarpons and head coach Hannah Burleson could surprise the Lady Pirates in 2019. The second-year head coach will meet Hidalgo on January 8th at home in a key game. Players to watch are Gabby Murchison, Ryley Galvan, Brenda Pena, Serena Brown, and Sabrina Garza.

Another team to watch will be the La Feria Lady Lions and Rio Hondo Lady Bobcats. Both teams clinched playoff berths in 2018. Players to watch for the Lady Bobcats are Jas-

mine Rangel, Taylor Gomez, Amanda Gomez, Estella Garza, Ayisha Andrews, and Klarissa Valladarez.

In Class 3A, Lyford and Santa Rosa both advanced to the area championships before being eliminated. Santa Maria also went two rounds deep in the State 2A playoffs before dropping a heart-breaker to Port Aransas 41-40.

The 2019 University Interscholastic League Girls Basketball Tournament will return to the Alamodome in San Antonio February 28 through March 2nd. All UIL State Basketball Championships will be played on Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. with Class 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A.

District 30-6A La Joya High School Lady Coyotes could surprise opponents in 2019.

The Lady Coyotes made the playoffs in 2017. (HSSMIMages/Special)

The UIL 2018-19 Basketball Preview

UIL 2017-18 Girls Basketball Champions

Class 1A Nazareth HS 36-3 Tournament Appearances 1976, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 91, 93, 96, 98, 2000, 01, 02, 05, 07, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Class 2A Martin’s Mill 40-1 Tournament Appearances 1987, 2006, 2007, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 Class 3A Mount Vernon 28-9 Tournament Appearances 2017, 2018 Class 4A Argle 34-7 Tournament Appearances 2005, 09, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18

New District. PSJA Lady Bears will compete in the newly realigned District 30-6A. Team members includes Jasmen Nava, Ashley Pecina, Ileana Martinez, Kassandra Gonzalez, Kaylah Hernandez, Talia Gomez, Brianna De Luna, Norma Mendez, Trinity Martinez, Dariana Galvan, Desiree Garcia, Lesly Tinoco, Ashley Fuentes, and Myah Saenz.

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The UIL 2018-19 Basketball Preview

Go Tarpons. The Port Isabel Lady Tarpons will be favored to make the playoffs in District 32-4A in 2019.

(HSSMIMages)

Go Wolverines. The PSJA Memorial Lady Wolverines coached by Marissa Gutierrez will compete in 31-5A after moving down from Class 6A. (HSSMIMages)

District 32-4A Hopefuls. The Raymondville HS Lady Bearkats will be looking to make the playoffs in 2019.

(HSSMIMages)

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