2013oct

30-5A 31-5A 32-5A 32-4A : DISTRICT BY DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS 32-3A 31-3A 16-2A 16-1A

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October 6, 2013

MEET PRIMETIME! 1. PORT ISABEL 6-0 2. EDINBURG NORTH 6-0 3. HARLINGEN SOUTH 5-0 4. MCALLEN 5-0 5. SHARYLAND 5-0 6. HARLINGEN 4-1 7. EDCOUCH-ELSA 4-1 8. WESLACO 4-1 9. LOS FRESNOS HS 4-2 10. EDINBURG VELA 4-2

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH

DEION SANDERS NFL Hall of Famer Brings Prime Prep Academy Team for Scrimmage Talks with Tddave

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INSIDE October 6, 2013

HSSM Player of the Week Honored. QB Santos Villarreal of Mission Veterans Memorial HS was chosen as Week One Football Player of the Week. Pictured are Dave Gilpin, athletic coordinator; Leticia Pena, principal; Villarreal, with Tddave.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

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On the Cover

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The RANKINGS HSSM’s TOP Ten Polls PSJA?

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8 DISTRICT BY DISTRICT STANDINGS PROGRESO Moving Up. Playoffs?

Texas Sportswriters Association

GameDay Highlights Edinburg North,McHi, Harlingen South, PI Still Undefeated!

HSSM Meets Primetime! Harlingen head football coach Manny Gomez made arrangements to invite NFL Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders and his Prime Prep Academy to Boggus Stadium for a football scrimmage. HSSM’s Tddave meets Sanders for an exclusive interview. (HSSM IMages/Alec Amador)

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PRIME OneOnOne I N T E R V I E W with

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Former NFL Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion and Hall of Famer, Deion Sanders, head football coach of Prime Prep Academy talks about going to college and putting God first. Brings his own football team to scrimmage the Harlingen Cardinals and Sharyland Rattlers at Boggus Stadium.

Tddave: Welcome to the Rio Grande Valley Coach Sanders!

Sanders: Thanks Tddave...It’s been wonderful. I’m loving it here. I had no idea of the talent here in the RGV. It’s incredible!

Tddave: Let’s go back a few years. High School, College, NFL, Super Bowl, Hall of Fame...has it been a train ride in your career?

Sanders: Wow...I expected the best of myself. It’s been unbelievable. I set goals on myself a long time ago and worked hard to make these goals happen. I expect the best. I love it!

Tddave: Who was your big-

gest influence growing up?

Sanders: My momma was my biggest influence. We came from a single parent home and growing up was tough in our neighborhood. Watching television helped a lot too.

We wanted to be like those athletes on Television.

Tddave: What message can you share with athletes that you have experienced yourself?

Sanders: You can not go to the next level unless you go to college. You have to go through college. In football, you have to go through college. Education is everything.

4 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Tddave: Now, you find yourself back on the sidelines as a head football coach with your Prime Prep team. How does that make you feel?

Sanders: A coaches job is never done. A coach is never satisfied. I like progress. I don’t want to be stagnant.

Tddave: In the Rio Grande Valley, many fans love you. How many hurdles did you have to cross just by being an athlete?

Sanders: Man, we had to watch everything we did growing up. Influence was around the corners. I have never smoked, never drink, and stop using profanity my

May-June 2012

sophomore year in college.

I had a goal, I had a vision. I promised my mother that I would live up to these expectations. I promised her that I would never quit on myself.

Tddave: Last question...what can you tell any athlete who wants to take it to the next level?

Sanders: First of all, keep God first and foremost. Second, keep God first and foremost.

And third, keep God first and foremost. Then, and only then focus on your education. Education will give you what you want. Education is the key.

TddaveThanks Deion!

ETIME www.HSSMLive.com

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// NFL GREAT DEION SANDERS TALKS WITH TDDAVE

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7. ED-ELSA HS

State-Ranked No.9 Well Deserved! Defeated Grulla 20-7 in Week 4.

Cougars looking to make another State 5A third round bid. Plays Sharyland next.

The Cardinals are looking to Bird Bowl 2013 and their rematch with South.

The Yellowjackets survived a 2OT win against Roma. Whew!

3. HARLINGEN SOUTH 8. WESLACO HS South Hawks have yet to be tested.

Hanna, Rivera, and Lopez wins coming.

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The Bulldogs are defensive minded.

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The Rattlers are maturing as the season grows. Will be tested on Oct 18th.

The Panthers will play for the district title against McHi at home on Oct.25th!

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Weslaco HS Quarterback

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2013 DISTRICT BY DISTRICT

////TheSTANDINGS District 30-5A

1. Edinburg North 1. Sharyland 2. Edinburg Vela HS 4. Donna HS 5. Ed Economedes 5. LJ Juarez-Lincoln 7. Edinburg HS 8. La Joya HS 9. LJ Palmview HS

District 31-5A

1. McAllen HS 1. Weslaco HS 3. San Benito HS 3. Weslaco East HS 5. PSJA 6. McA Mem 6. McA Rowe 6. PSJA Memorial 9. PSJA North

District 32-5A

1. Harlingen South 1. Harlingen HS 3. Los Fresnos HS 4. Brownsville Hanna 4. Brownsville Vets 6. Brownsville Lopez 7. Brownsville Rivera 8. Brownsville Porter 9. Brownsville Pace

PF PA

6-0, 4-0 5-0, 3-0 4-2, 3-1 3-2, 2-1 4-2, 2-2 2-4, 1-3 1-5, 1-3 1-4, 0-3 0-5, 0-3

173 17 208 27 192 86 124 83 132 142 70 138 80 128 89 160 49 177

5-0, 3-0 4-1, 3-0 3-3, 3-1 3-2, 2-1 4-2, 2-2 2-3, 1-2 2-4, 1-3 1-5, 1-3 0-6, 0-4

153 84 136 96 109 144 122 121 122 108 120 100 182 187 61 180 48 203

5-0, 3-0 4-1, 3-0 4-2, 3-1 3-2, 2-2 3-3, 2-2 3-2, 1-2 1-5, 1-3 0-3, 0-5 0-4, 0-6

185 7 201 66 198 122 58 104 186 165 195 129 146 222 0 256 55 268

District 32-4A

1. Edcouch-Elsa 1. Mercedes H.S. 1. Rio Grande City 4. Mission Vets 4. Mission HS 6. Roma H.S. 6. PSJA Southwest 6. Valley View H.S.

District 32-3A 1. Port Isabel 2. La Feria 3. Progreso 4. Rio Hondo 5. Hidalgo

District 31-3A

1. Grulla HS 2. Kingsville HS 2. Raymondville 4. Zapata 5. Lyford

District 16-2A DI 1. Aransas Pass 1. Mathis 1. Santa Rosa 4. Falfurrias 5. Bishop 5. Odem 6. San Diego

District 16-1A DI 1. Santa Maria 2. La Villa 3. Monte Alto 4. Ben Bolt

PF PA

4-1, 0-0 4-2, 0-0 2-2, 0-0 2-4, 0-0

156 66 128 126 124 136 207 74 92 67 101 115 100 151 41 207

6-0, 0-0 4-2, 0-0 3-3, 0-0 2-4, 0-0 1-4, 0-0

223 70 183 75 117 140 135 181 37 183

PORT ISABEL HEAD FOOTBALL COACH State-Ranked No.9 Class 3A

5-1, 0-0 4-2, 0-0 4-2, 0-0 2-4, 0-0 1-5, 0-0

165 84 216 125 196 145 114 152 121 235

5-1, 2-0 5-1, 2-0 3-2, 2-0 5-1, 1-1 4-2, 0-2 2-4, 0-2 2-2, 0-1

195 171 191 66 80 103 200 66 232 119 130 206 56 57

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30-5A

REPORTS PREDICTIONS REALIGNMENTS

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30-5A THESTANDINGS BY TDDAVE

(1.) Sharyland 5-0, 3-0 Edinburg North 6-0, 3-0 (3.) Edinburg Vela 4-2, 3-1 Donna 3-2, 2-1 (5.) Economedes 4-2, 2-2 (6.) LJ Juarez-Lincoln 2-4, 1-3 Edinburg 1-5, 1-3 (8.) La Joya H.S.1-4, 0-3 Palmview 0-5, 0-3.

Edinburg North RBs Adrian Alvarez rushed for 126 yards on 16 carries and teammate Matt Whitesides also rushed 15 times for 115 yards and three TDs in win over Donna.

BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR

HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

(La Joya, Tx)-Call it “frustrating” for the La Joya Coyotes and head football coach George Espinoza as they dropped to 1-4 and 0-3 in District 30-5A. As a matter of fact, all three La Joya teams are a combined 3-13 for the season with Juarez-Lincoln still clinging to playoff hopes with a 1-3 record. Midway through the 2013 season, Manuel Flores was replaced as the head coach for the Palmview Lobos, who are winless this year.

Teams still alive for playoff spots are Sharyland (5-0, 3-0), Edinburg North (6-0, 3-0), Edinburg Vela (4-2, 3-1), Donna (3-2, 2-1), and Edinburg Economedes (4-2, 2-2). On the bubble are the Edinburg Bobcats, like the Huskies, both at 1-3. The top four teams from District 30-5A will qualify for the State 5A playoffs in November. Sharyland, Edinburg North, Donna, and Economedes all qualified in 2012.

10 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

La JoyaCOYOTES

Head football coach George Espinoza reacts to a missed opportunity against Edinburg Vela.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

30-5A

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Sharyland Untouchable, Undefeated Again

(Mission, Tx)- Sharyland head football coach Ron Adame has put together a winning formula of his own to continue what was left of the 2012 season. The defending District 30-5A champions want a state title. Atleast, that’s what Adame and

his team talk about daily. “We talk about winning a state title,” says Adame, now in his second season. Last year, the Rattlers went 12-1, losing to San Antonio Madison 40-13 at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas.

In 2013, the Rattlers are 5-0 with Edinburg on their sched-

ule for Week Six followed by Donna, Palmview, Edinburg North, and Edinburg Vela.

Both Vela and North schools look primed to challenge the Rattlers for the district title.

Hopefully, both Edinburg schools will come ready play too.

In 2012, the Rattlers beat the

Cougars 48-7 and then shutout the Sabercats 69-0 to finish their season with a perfect 10-0 record. Both Sharyland and Edinburg North advanced to the State 5A Regional finals in Division I and II. Rattlers quarterbacks Lance Madden and Diego Chrylser have played exceptional in 2013.

Edinburg North Cougars To Play Shary Oct.31st

(Edinburg, Tx)-Unless something spooky happens along the way, the Edinburg North Cougars (6-0, 3-0) will travel to Sharyland (5-0, 3-0) to play for the District 30-5A Championship title on October 31st at Rattler Stadium.

The Cougars have been unstoppable in 2013 with four shutout wins over Rio Grande City, Edinburg Economedes, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, and Donna.

Head coach Roy Garza led his team to the State 5A Division II Regional finals in 2012 before losing to Cibolo Steele in a shutout, 38-0.

2013 Road to the State Playoffs!

Sharyland 5-0, 3-0 8/30 9/12 9/19 9/27 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25 10/31 11/07

Bro Hanna Laredo Alex La Joya Economedes Juarez-Lincoln Edinburg Donna Palmview Edinburg North Edinburg Vela

W 42-0 W 22-14 W 48-3 W 54-0 W 42-10

Edinburg North 6-0, 3-0 SharylandRATTLERS

QB Lance Madden looks to lead his Rattlers to another District 30-5A title. The Rattlers defeated Laredo Alexander 22-14 in nondistrict in Week One. (HSSMImages/Richard Davidson)

12 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

8/29 9/5 9/12 9/20 9/26 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25 11/07

Rio Grande City Bro Rivera Economedes Juarez-Lincoln Edinburg Donna Palmview Edinburg Vela Sharyland La Joya HS

W 38-0 W 35-7 W 20-0 W 33-0 W 22-10 W 25-0

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Palmview Replaces Coach; Edinburg Fading (Edinburg, Tx)-If any head football coach hates losing, that coach would be Edinburg’s Joey Caceres. Three losses at the start of the season, call them flukes, cost the Bobcats an early 0-3 start. Now, the Bobcats find themselves fighting for a playoff spot with Edinburg Vela and Economedes.

Two weeks ago, La Joya ISD Athletic Director Victor Garza announced that longtime head football coach Manuel Flores would be relieved of his duties as head football coach of the Lobos. “We had to move in a new direction,”says Garza.

Like the Bobcats, the Lobos are 0-5, 0-3 and have been eliminated from the state playoffs.

But the Bobcats are still alive and would have to go 4-0 with games remaining against Sharyland, La Joya, Economedes, and Juarez-Lincoln to remain in the hunt. The Bobcats could still finish 3-4 and that’s where the playoff spots would get tricky. Most likely, if the Bobcats make the playoffs, it would be based on points.

Last week’s 51-0 loss to Edinburg Vela High School pretty

much put a damper on the point system. Bottom line, the Edinburg Bobcats need to win out, and go 4-3, that means a win over Sharyland is crucial.

Edinburg needs to beat Sharyland or lose by less than 20 points to keep their hopes alive and then play Economedes on October 24th with just one playoff spot alive, should

Sharyland, Edinburg North, and Donna keep winning.

On the bubble, the Edinburg Vela Saberkats holds the edge for the fourth playoff spot if they win out. But, the Jags are still in it too. Two wins should get the Jags the fourth playoff spot in Class 5A. Here’s where the playoff race gets interesting. Vela still needs

to play Donna, Palmview, Edinburg North, and Sharyland in that order. At this point, the Sabercats holds the edge over the Bobcats should both teams finish 3-4. That’s why the Bobcats need to upset Sharyland on Thursday night. The Bobcats lost to Donna in 2OT.

EdinburgBOBCATS

Robert Gonzalez tackles Palmview’s Ezequiel Huaracha.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Tough Season!

LJ Palmview 0-5, 0-3 8/29 9/6 9/13 9/19 9/27 10/10 10/18 10/25 11/1 11/8

Mission Mission Vets Juarez-Lincoln Edinburg Donna Edinburg North Edinburg Vela Sharyland La Joya HS Economedes

L 23-13 L 56-7 L 13-7 L 30-8 L 55-14

Edinburg HS 1-5, 1-3 8/30 9/6 9/13 9/19 9/27 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/24 11/01

McA Memorial McAllen Donna Palmview

L L L W EdinburgNorthL Edinburg VelaL

Sharyland La Joya Economedes Juarez-Lincoln

7-6 20-17 20-17 33-8 22-10 51-0

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

15

30-5A

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Jags, Sabercats Fighting for Playoff Spots (Edinburg, Tx)-At the start of the season, Edinburg Economedes head football coach Gabe Pena was excited about his chances of winning a district title in 305A. Now, the Jags are just hoping to make the playoffs. Like in 2012, the Jags clinched a play-

off berth for the second time in school history after going 0-10 in Pena’s first season. The Jags are looking at back-to-back playoff berths and they control their own destiny.

The Jaguars knocked off Edinburg Vela 42-37 in Week Three to put themselves in the drivers seat with Juarez-Lincoln (2-4, 1-3), Edinburg (1-5, 1-3), Don-

na (3-2, 2-1), and Palmview (05, 0-3) left on their schedule.

However, the Edinburg Vela Sabercats (4-2, 3-1) are still alive and hold a one game lead over the Jaguars and sit in third place in the District 31-5A standings while Economedes slipped to fifth overall after their 52-0 loss to Sharyland in Week Four.

Edinburg Economedes

JAGUARS

Ramsey Ramirez runs past Joshua Morales of Edinburg Vela.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Edinburg Vela HS head football coach Michael Salinas told HSSM at the start of the season that his Sabercats are young and will need to improve weekly in order to get into the playoff hunt. The Sabercats have done just that in 2013. In wins against La Joya, JuarezLincoln, and Edinburg, the Sabercats defense held all three teams to a total of three points, including shutout wins over the Coyotes (49-0) and Edinburg (52-0).

The Sabercats will play Donna (3-2, 2-1) this week and Salinas understands that the Redskins are coming off a 25-0 loss to Edinburg North in Week Five.

Both teams are hoping for a win to get the edge for the sole third playoff spot in District 31-5A. Should the Sabercats beat Donna, they would still need to beat Edinburg North and Sharyland to make the playoffs while Donna would play Sharyland on October 18th, and then a showdown with Economedes on Nov 1st could be for the last playoff spot as well.

2013 Road to the State Playoffs!

Economedes 4-2, 2-2 8/29 9/5 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/3 10/17 10/24 11/01 11/08

Porter McA Mem Ed North Ed Vela Sharyland La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Edinburg Donna Palmview

W 41-0 W 28-21 L 0-20 W 42-37 L 0-52 W 21-10

Robert Vela HS 4-2, 3-1 8/29 9/5 9/12 9/20 9/26 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25 11/07

16 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

PSJA PSJA SW La Joya Economedes Juarez-Lincoln Edinburg Donna Palmview Edinburg North Sharyland

L 6-28 W 35-13 W 49-0 L 37-42 W 14-3 W 51-0

ECISD

ECISD www.ecisd.us

Dr. Rene Gutierrez, Superintendent

The Legacy of Excellence Continues

Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District

411 North 8th Ave, Edinburg, Texas 78541 Ph: 956-289-2300

Good Luck to Our Teams in 2013!

Joe Filoteo, Jr. ECISD Director of Athletics 2013 Region IV UIL Athletic Director

Edinburg High School

Robert Vela H.S.

Edinburg Economedes H.S.

Edinburg North H.S.

956-289-2400 Joey Caceres,

956-289-2650 Michael Salinas,

956-289-2450 Gabe Pena,

956-289-2500 Roy Garza,

2600 E. Wisconsin Rd. Edinburg, Texas 78542

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31-5A

REPORTS PREDICTIONS REALIGNMENTS

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31-5A THESTANDINGS BY TDDAVE

(1.) McAllen HS 5-0, 3-0 Weslaco H.S. 4-1, 3-0 (3.) Weslaco East 3-2, 2-1 San Benito 3-3, 3-1 (5.) PSJA 4-2, 2-2 (6.) McAllen Memorial 2-3, 1-2 McAllen Rowe 2-4, 1-3 PSJA Mem 1-5, 1-3 (9.) PSJA North 0-6, 0-4

McAllen Memorial RB Trevor Speights rushed for 205 yards and scored four touchdowns in their 68-10 win over PSJA Memorial last week in District 31-5A.

McHi Bulldogs Sitting in First Place

(McAllen, Tx)-The McAllen Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0), picked by HSSM in the pre-season polls to make the State 5A playoffs in 2013 defeated the defending champions, Weslaco East Wildcats 28-21 in Week Four to stay unbeaten for the season and most importantly, tied for first place with Weslaco High School (4-1, 3-0).

New Bulldog head football coach Kevin Brewer told his players after their win over East to remain focus and getting ready for the second half the season. “We have to remain focused because we still have five games left to play. I love each and every one you guys,” said Brewer.

The Bulldogs will play PSJA (4-2, 2-2) this Thursday night at PSJA Stadium followed by a much improved San Benito team at home on October 18th before meeting Weslaco (4-1, 3-0) at Bobby

18 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Lackey Stadium on October 25th. The Bulldogs end their season with McAllen Memorial and PSJA Memorial.

The road to the State 5A playoffs will not be an easy task for the Bulldogs with four straight games against teams still vying for playoff spots in 2013. To date, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 153-84 and will be looking to win their first outright district title in 18 years. Leading the Bulldogs are QB Fred Hover, RB Ricky Rodriguez, along with linemen Jacon Amar. “These guys are good, really good,” said Weslaco East first-year head coach Michael Burget after their loss. McAllen’s RB Rodriguez rushed for 180 yards and four touchdowns, including a 55-yard run in the second quarter to give the Bulldogs their fifth win of the season. The Bulldogs scored 21 points in the second quarter.

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McAllenBULLDOGS

The Bulldogs defeated the Weslaco East Wildcats in District 31-5A to move into first place.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

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WARRIORS OB OUT

31-5A

Justin Owens suffered a broken vertebrae to end his season.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Rowe QB Out For Season

(San Benito, Tx)- In a season-ending blow, the McAllen Nikki Rowe Warriors lost its starting QB Justin Owens to a broken neck vertebrae against the San Benito Greyhounds in Week Four. “It’s a tough loss for our football program,” Rowe head football coach Paul Reyes told HSSM. “We just have to move forward and keeping fighting harder. The season is not over yet.”

Just like last season, the Rowe Warriors find themselves at 1-3 with their playoff hopes looking dimmer. The Warriors will play an elimination game this Friday against cross-town rivals, McAllen Memorial (1-2). Last year, the Warriors lost a wild 31-28 game against the Mustangs and then went on a four-game win streak to clinch the final playoff spot .

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San Benito Back in the Playoff Hunt

McAllen Memorial

(San Benito, Tx)-Call it perfect timing. The San Benito Greyhounds (3-3, 3-1) has won three of its four 31-5A games to jump right into the State 5A playoff hunt after knocking off McAllen Nikki Rowe 41-28 in Week Four followed by another win over winless PSJA North 24-14 last Friday night.

“It’s always nice to get those

MUSTANGS

captured their first District 31-5A win over PSJA Memorial 68-10.

(HSSMImages/David De Leon)

hard fought wins on Friday nights,” said Spencer Gantt.

The Greyhounds will now play host to the defending champions, Weslaco East Wildcats (21) this Friday at Bobby Morrow Stadium. The Greyhounds will play McAllen (3-0), PSJA (22) and then meet Weslaco (3-0) on November 8th for a possible playoff spot.

McAllen Memorial Flips PSJA Memorial 68-10

(Pharr, Tx)-The McAllen Memorial Mustangs (2-3, 1-2) came alive and defeated the PSJA Memorial (1-5, 1-3)Wolverines 68-10 in District 31-5A. Mustang head football coach Bill Littleton kept hinting that his team will be “alright” and he was right. Sophomore RBTrevor Speights rushed for 205 yards and scored four touch-

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downs to lead the Mustangs back into the playoff race last Friday night. “We needed this win and this puts us back into the playoff hunt,” added Littleton. Also making a big impact was Mustang RB Joel Alonzo, who rushed for 176 yards on 16 carries and scored on runs of 25, 4, and one yard out to lead the Stangs to victory.

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32-5A

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REPORTS PREDICTIONS REALIGNMENTS

32-5A THESTANDINGS BY TDDAVE

1. Harlingen (4-1, 3-0) Harlingen South (5-0, 3-0) 3. Los Fresnos (4-2, 2-1) Hanna (3-2, 2-1) 5. Veterans Memorial (3-3, 2-2) 6. Lopez (3-2, 1-2) 7. Rivera (1-5, 1-3) 8. Porter (0-5, 0-3) Pace (0-6, 0-3)

Brownsville Lopez QB Michael Vasquez passed for 258 yards and three touchdowns in their 58-7 win over Brownsville Pace.

BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

(Harlingen,Tx)-Harlingen Cardinal head coach Manny Gomez likes to match up his teams with non-district competition from out-of-the-valley to allow his teams to prepare themselves for the upcoming season. In 2013, the Cardinals played Deion Sander’s Prime Prep Academy in a scrimmage at Boggus Stadium in early August and then traveled to Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, Texas to play 26-5A San Antonio Johnson. The loss to the Jaguars 35-23, now has the Cardinals sitting on top the 32-5A standings at 3-0. The Johnson Jaguars are 4-1 with wins over Wagner, New Braunfels, and MacArthur.

2013 Road to the State Playoffs!

Harlingen

CARDINALS

QB BRANDON GARZA (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

22 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

8/30 9/6 9/14 9/20 10/4 10/11 10/19 10/25 11/01 11/08

SA Johnson San Benito Brownsville Rivera Brownsville Lopez Los Fresnos Brownsville Pace Veterans Memorial Brownsville Porter Harlingen South Brownsville Hanna

L 35-23 W 54-0 W 48-9 W 45-8 W 31-14

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In Week One, the Cardinals blanked the San Benito Greyhounds (3-3) 54-0 and then finished off Los Fresnos last week 31-14 to remain tied for first place in District 32-5A with Harlingen South.

The Cardinals have won five straight district titles with Gomez as the head football coach. The Cardinals also advanced to the State 5A Division Quarterfinals in 2011 before losing to San Antonio Madison. In 2012, the Sharyland Rattlers stopped the Cards from advancing to the third round with a 42-2 loss. But, in 2013 the Cards are averaging 130 yards rushing per game and 251 yards passing behind quarterback Brandon Garza. On defense, the Cards have eight sacks for the season with seniors Gilbert Bermea and Ray Moreno leading the way. A showdown with Harlingen South on November 1st will be for the district championship again.

Harlingen South Hawks Playing Tough on Defense (Harlingen, Tx)-In Lanny Wilson’s second season with the Harlingen South Hawks (5-0. 3-0), the head football coach already has brought home one district title, one bi-district title, and one area championship final. In 2013, the Hawks are looking even better with four straight shutouts and seven points allowed. On September 27th, the Hawks walloped the Brownsville Porter Cowboys 71-0 and then took a week off. They will meet Brownsville Hanna this week followed by Rivera and Lopez. All three meetings should end up in victories before the Hawks meet the Harlingen Cardinals (4-1, 3-0) on November 1st at Boggus Stadium in the annual Bird Bowl. At stake? Another district championship for one team, or maybe another share of the title.

Last year, the Hawks lost to the Cards 38-23 but a loss by Harlingen to Los Fresnos, and the Hawks win over Los Fresnos had both Harlingen schools sharing the title. If the Hawks expect to win another share of the title or outright championship, they will need to beat Harlingen and then, Los Fresnos on November 8th. Two back-to-back games with two top teams. The Cardinals will play Brownsville Pace, Veterans Memorial, Porter, and Hanna to finish out the season. Unless one Brownsville team upsets the Cardinals, the Hawks will have to beat the Cardinals on Nov. 1st regardless.

If not, Gomez will win his sixth straight district championship and take a first place seeding in the State 5A Division I playoffs. “This is a tough district,” says Gomez. “We expect nothing less of our teams and we are always playing for a state title.”

614 Overall Wins In School History

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Los Fresnos Looking to Clinch Playoff Spot? Which Brownsville Team Will Get In?

(Brownsville, Tx)-At the start of the season, Brownsville Porter football players were ecstatic about the upcoming season and made a bold prediction: We will make the playoffs! That was five games ago and now, the Porter Cowboys (0-5) have eliminated themselves from playoff contention and have been outscored 263-

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32-5A

14 under first year head coach Tom Campos. With two playoff spots left in District 32-5A, Harlingen and Harlingen South have locked up their roads to the state title to be played at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 19-21st. That leaves just two playoff spots open and up for grabs. Frontrunners, Los Fresnos Falcons (3-1), Brownsville Hanna (3-1), Veterans Memorial (2-2), and Lopez (1-2) all still have playoff contentions in mind. Pace, Porter, and Rivera have been eliminated. Head coach Clint Finley will lead his team this week against winless, Brownsville Pace and then play Veterans Memorial and another winless Porter team on November 2nd. Pretty much, the Falcons could start planning for state playoffs.

That leaves one left for the playoffs. That one team will be a Brownsville team. The frontrunner? Hanna at 3-1 under second year head coach Rene Medrano. What a turn around 2013 has been for the Eagles. Three straight wins over Pace (34-7), Veterans Memorial (24-20), and Porter (37-14) puts the Eagles in the drivers seat to finish off the season. But first, they will have to beat Riviera and Lopez to clinch the last playoff spot. If not, the Eagles could find themselves in trouble should Lopez and Veterans Memorial stir up the pot in District 32-5A.

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Andrew Maldonado Brownsville Pace

Brando Cano Brownsville Pace

Cesar RosalesBrownsville Pace

Matt TrinidadBrownsville Hanna

Alex RoblesBrownsville Hanna

Chris Granja Brownsville Hanna

Luis Torres Brownsville Lopez

Luis ZermenoBrownsville Lopez

Sal Murillo Brownsville Lopez

Enrique GalvanBrownsville Lopez

Mario PortalesBrownsville Rivera

Lupe Nava Brownsville Rivera

Carlos Zamarripa Brownsville Rivera

Jose Zuniga Bro Rivera

Eduardo IzaguirreBro Rivera

Adrian Garcia Bro Veterans

Cesar Lozano Bro Veterans

Rodrigo Garcia Bro Veterans

Luis Mallozzi Bro Veterans

Gage Rivas Bro Veterans

Frank Quiroz Harlingen South

Henry Flores Harlingen South

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James Carpio Harlingen South

Isaac Garcia Harlingen South

Adrian Lopez Harlingen HS

Amalado Hernandez Harlingen HS

Josue Ramirez Bro Veterans

Jerry Cuevas Bro Veterans

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DJ Davis Harlingen HS

Jordan Ramirez Harlingen HS

24 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Domingo Hernandez Los Fresnos

Nick Alegria Los Fresnos

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REPORTS PREDICTIONS REALIGNMENTS

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32-4A THESTANDINGS BY TDDAVE

(1.) Edcouch-Elsa 2-0 Mercedes 2-0 Rio Grande City 2-0 (4.) Mission 1-1 Mission Veterans 1-1 (6.) Roma 0-2 PSJA Southwest 0-2 Valley View 0-2

Edcouch-Elsa RB Israel Loredo rushed for 162 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns in the win over Mission H.S.; Mercedes QB Rene Presas passed for 230 yards against PSJA Southwest. He now has 673 yards passing in two games.

BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

Edcouch-Elsa

YELLOWJACKETS RB ISRAEL LOREDO (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

(Edcouch-Elsa, Tx)- The Roma Gladiators had their chances. Two chances to be exact. In their District 324A, the Gladiators took an early 14-0 lead at the half over the defending Class 4A Division Area Champions.

Many Edcouch-Elsa fans were sitting in the stands wondering what was happening. The Yellowjackets score one touchdown in the third quarter as the Gladiators showed their power on defense. In the fourth quarter, the Yellowjackets managed to tied the game at 14-14 all sending the game into overtime.

Prior to Week 4, the Yellowjackets boarded the charter bus and made the trip to the SAC Center in Laredo to play the Alexander Bulldogs. The Yellowjackets dealt with a charter bus with bad air conditioning. The end result?

Laredo Alexander won 28-21.

The Gladiators defense held Edcouch-Elsa to zero points in the first overtime as a missed field goal sailed wide. The miss sent the Roma head coach Max Habecker jumping for joy. The Gladiators missed their field too in the first overtime. The Yellowjackets defense held Roma in the second overtime, forcing the Gladiators to miss their second field goal attempt.

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32-4A

Two plays later, Edcouch-Elsa RB Israel Loredo punched it in for the score on a 23-yard run.

At Tom Landry Stadium, Mercedes QB Rene Presas led his team on a wild comeback win over Mission Veterans 36-35 while the hottest team in District 32-4A, the Rio Grande City Rattlers won its first game of the season by knocking off PSJA Southwest 34-0 and then spanked Roma 41-7 in Week 5 to remain undefeated at 2-0 with Mercedes and Edcouch-Elsa.

Week Six is here and Mercedes will travel to meet Rio Grande City while Edcouch-Elsa plays Mission Veterans on Thursday night. Two teams will stay undefeated after Week Six. Last year, three teams shared the District 32-4A title. The Patriots are primed for a big win.

Mission Veterans

PATRIOTS

RB JOHN GARCIA tackled by Mercedes defenders.

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

26 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

www.HSSMLive.com

Rio Grande City

RATTLERS

OFF TO 2-0 START IN 32-4A (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Defending District 32-4A Tri-Champions!

2013

Mercedes TIGERS

State Playoffs Since 2000: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Varsity Schedule

August 30 @Calallen Sept 6 @Hidalgo Sept 13 La Feria Sept 26 @Mission Veterans* Mercedes High School Principal Oct 4 PSJA Southwest* Patricia Masso Oct 11 @Rio Grande City * Mercedes ISD Superintendent Dr. Daniel Trevino Jr. Oct 18 @Valley View* Head Football Coach Mercedes Athletic Director Oct 25 Edcouch-Elsa* Michael Uribe Nov 1 @Roma* 1200 South Florida Nov 8 Mission* Mercedes, Texas *Denotes District Games

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31-3A

REPORTS PREDICTIONS REALIGNMENTS

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31-3A THESTANDINGS BY TDDAVE

(1.) Grulla 5-1 (2.) Kingsville King 4-2 (2.) Raymondville 4-2 (4.) Zapata 2-4 (5.) Lyford 1-5 Lyford QB Scott Arnold passed for five touchdowns and completed 23 of 32 passes for 360 yards in their 35-21 upset win over Rio Hondo to give the Bulldogs their first win of the year.

BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

(Rio Grande City, Tx)-The Grulla Gators ended their non-district schedule with an impressive 5-1 record. Wins over La Villa, La Feria, PSJA Southwest, Rio Hondo, and most recently, against Hidalgo 33-9. The Gators only blemish was against the State 3A ranked no.9 Port Isabel Tarpons 20-7 in Week Four. “We played but had trouble moving the ball against the Tarpons,” says Abel Gonzalez, Gator head football coach.

Now, the Gators are on a mission with four games left to play this season. “One win gets you in the state playoffs with four teams from our district qualifying,” adds Gonzalez.

The Gators will play Raymondville this Friday night and then will play Lyford on October 18th and Zapata on Nov. 1st. Their last game against

30 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Kingsville King could be for the District 31-3A title at Joe R. Sanchez Stadium.

Against the Pirates last Thursday night, the Grulla Gators looked sluggish, taking a 19-9 lead at the half against a team that has failed to score more than 35 points total this season.

Grulla scored on Troy Trillayes’s 50-yard touchdown run but Hidalgo would respond with a touchdown to make it 7-6. Both teams added field goals of their own to make it 10-9.

A win over Raymondville this weekend could send the Gators to their second playoff in three seasons. “That would be nice,” says Gonzalez.

GrullaGATORS

CB ROBERT CAMARILLO (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

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Lyford Gets First Win of Season; Bearkats Face Big Test (Lyford, Tx)-The Lyford Bulldogs pulled off their biggest upset in most recent years. The Bulldogs (1-4) defeated the slumping Rio Hondo Bobcats (2-4) 35-21 in non-district action.

Bulldogs QB Scott Arnold passed for five touchdowns and completed 23-of-32 passes for 360 yards. The loss for the Bobcats to the Bulldogs would be their first since 2011.

Lyford head football coach Jaime Infante will lead his team in District 313A against the Grulla Gators on October 18th. “This time off was perfect timing,” says Infante.

“We can prepare for district now.”

The Bulldogs have played a tough schedule losing to state-ranked

Cordero Castro Lyford HS

Samson Sewell Lyford HS

Dante Castillo Lyford HS

Justin Villacana Raymondville HS

Cosme Rubalcaba Raymondville HS

Julio Rodriguez Raymondville HS

Dominic Tijerina Raymondville HS

No.9 Port Isabel (6-0), Santa Rosa (3-2), Progreso (3-3), and Orange Grove (5-0).

The outcome of this Friday night at Bearkat Stadium in Raymondville, District 31-3A could have playoff implications when the Lyford Bulldogs meet the Grulla Gators on October 18th.

The District 31-3A opener will feature the

Gators and Bearkats.

On the line? A possible district title. Both teams are front runners for the district title in 2013.

Head coach Joe Gonzalez has led his team to 4-2 this season with three straight wins over Sinton, Rio Hondo, and a 48-38 win over La Feria last week. Losses to Port Isabel (14-0) and Orange Grove (34-21) earlier in the year only

improved the Bearkats.

Both teams are 6-0.

Grulla lost to PI 20-7 in Week Four so both teams can expect a defensive outing on Friday night.

In 2012, the Gators failed to make the State 3A playoffs after finishing the season at 2-3.

But what a turn around its been for the Gators after ending the season at 3-7. As for the Bear-

kats? They finished second place followed by Lyford in third. Head coach Infante knows that this game could set the pace as to which team is in or out.

Kingsville King won the title in 2012 and ended their non-district schedule at 4-2. Losses to Alice (37-20) and Somerset (35-24) could set the pace for the Brahmas in 2013.

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32-3A

REPORTS PREDICTIONS REALIGNMENTS

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Port Isabel QB Isaiah Martinez passed for four touchdowns in their 39-14 win over Zapata.

Rio Hondo’s QB Elijah Pitones passed for one touchdown and completed 18-29-1 for 153 yards in loss against Lyford.

32-3A THESTANDINGS BY TDDAVE

(1.) Port Isabel 6-0 (2.) La Feria 4-2 (3.) Progreso 3-3 Rio Hondo 2-4 (5.) Hidalgo 1-4

BY DAVID “TDDAVE” AMADOR HSSM SPORTS DIRECTOR

Port IsabelTARPONS

RB JAIME GONZALEZ (HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

32 HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

(Port Isabel, Tx)-The Port Isabel Tarpons seem to be headed to the State 3A Division II playoffs again in 2013. But the one question remains with those feverish playoff-crazed Tarpons fans.

How far can the Tarpons march into the playoffs? The 2013 UIL State Football Championships will be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Home of the Cowboys. “The expectations are always high here at Port Isabel,says head football coach Monty Stumbaugh. “You can make the playoffs one year and at PI, the expectations are always another step further.” The Tarpons

GET FOOTBALL ACTION PHOTOS AT W

HidalgoPIRATES RB ERIK VALDEZ

(HSSMImages/Alec Amador)

Abel Garcia Progreso HS

advanced to the State 3A Division II Quarterfinals in 2012.

Fans are already talking state championships in 2013. To date, the Tarpons have made the state playoffs 34 times since 1952 and rank No.5 overall in Texas with most playoff appearances to go along with two State 3A semifinal appearance in 2002 and 1994 plus two regional appearances in 2002 and 2004. Add a 2012 State 3A Division II Quarterfinal too.

In the playoffs, PI defeated Lyford (40-20), Sinton (53-26), and Navarro (35-28), before

Damian Pardon Progreso HS

Edward Barron Progreso HS

losing to Bellville 22-0 trict 32-3A in the quarterfinals. does not look In Week Five, the Grul- bright for la Gators did all they the decould to stop the Tar- f e n d i n g pons, ranked No.9 in the c h a m p i State 3A polls, but lost ons. The 20-7. The Tarpons re- only game main 6-0 in non-district on their minds and will enter the 32-3A right now are the Progreso Red season undefeated.

The 31-3A Gators (5- Ants. New head coach 1) begins its quest for Tom Salazar has the another playoff appear- Red Ants believing ance in three years. a 3A playoff spot is Head football coach within their reach after a 3-3 start in nonAbel Gonzalez is proud www.robertelizalde.com of his team. “We are district.

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That loss against PI was to the Red Ants in Distough. But PI is tough,� trict 32-3A will spell doom for the defending says Gonzalez.

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31-5A 31-5A 31-5A 31-5A

3-TIME DEFENDING CLASS 5A BI-DISTRICT CHAMPIONS!

TONY VILLARREAL Head Football Coach

Andrew Aldape, RB

Andrew Cavazos, RB

Eric Gonzalez, RB

Vicktor Cardoza, LB

Jacob Martin, RB

Zach Martin, RB

Robert Lopez, QB

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Michael Torres, LB

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Roy Pedraza, DL

Peter Noriega, DB

Jesse Coronado, OL

Ricardo Garcia, RB

Carlo Serna, OL

Matthew Lopez, DB

STATE PLAYOFF APPEARANCES 1933, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 52, 53, 54, 55, 69, 70, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, 97, 98, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012

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August 30 @Eagle Pass Sept 6 Calallen Sept 13 PSJA North* Sept 27 @McAllen* Oct 4 PSJA* Oct 11 @San Benito * Oct 18 Weslaco* Oct 25 @McAllen Memorial* Nov 1 PSJA Memorial* Nov 8 @Nikki Rowe*

August 30 @Edcouch-Elsa Sept 6 @Donna Sept 14 @McAllen Memorial* Sept 20 PSJA Memorial* Sept 27 @Nikki Rowe* Oct 4 PSJA North * Oct 11 Weslaco East* Oct 18 McAllen* Nov 1 @PSJA* Nov 8 San Benito* Parent’s Night

Darren Rivas, QB

Ciro Rojas, FS

Ricardo Almaraz, DB

Raymundo Flores, DE

Jonathon Banda, RG

Josue Espinoza, OL

Weslaco East H.S.

Weslaco H.S.

Jose Garcia, CB

Joe Margo, OL

Jesus Anaya, DL

Magarito Amaya, OL

Randy De Los Santos, LB

Anthony Esparza, TE

Defending District 31-5A Champions!

State Playoffs Tradition...

‘07, ‘08, ‘09, ‘10, ‘11, & 2012

Derrick Castillo, SE

31-5A Varsity Schedule

Band Parent’s Night

Brooks Guzman, WR

Robert Noriega, DL

Superintendent of Schools-Dr. Ruben Alejandro Director of Athletics-Oscar Riojas Principal-Yvette Morales Eddie Serna, Athletic Coordinator

Jr. High Night

Homecoming Night

District 31-5A

Ramiro Medoza, LB

Juan Anguiano, OLB

Angel Flores, RB

J.R. Villarreal, WR

*DISTRICT GAMES

Alejandro Flores, RB

Jesus Espinoza, OLB

Ramiro San Miguel, RT

Bryan Sanchez, LB

Chase Lopez, WR

Daniel Meave, DT

Armando Martinez, RG

Jesus Martinez, LT

Sergio Moralez Jr, RT

Ryan Navarro, RB

Hector Decanini, OL

Mike Burget Head Football Coach

German Lopez, DT

Superintendent of Schools-Dr. Ruben Alejandro Director of Athletics-Oscar Riojas Principal-Susan Peterson

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