DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
For Friday’s 63rd chapter of their historic rivalry, Edcouch-Elsa is looking to get one step closer to a District 32-5A title, while Mercedes is hoping for a rebound back into title contention.
They meet at 7:30 p.m. at Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium in Elsa.
“You always want to come into it with new intentions, but we’ve been playing each other for so long that they know us and we know them,” E-E coach Joe Marichalar said. “It’s just a fun football game to be a part of.”
The Yellowjackets (5-1, 3-0 32-5A), who lead the rivalry 32-29-1, are winners of four straight this season, but their recipe for success is different than from years past.
E-E employs a spread, pass-happy offense under first-year offensive coordinator Gene Garza. It has worked, even with the Yellowjackets going through two starting quarterbacks. E-E is averaging 260.3 passing yards and passing touchdowns have accounted for 39 percent of its offense.
“They’re doing tremendous job running the routes,” Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. said. “Their receivers have good hands and speed and they have the timing of their system down. They have all the elements.”
With starting quarterback Marco Aguinaga sidelined with a finger injury and probably out for the season, backup Andrew Segura, normally the No. 1 receiver, has transitioned seamlessly into the role. In three starts, Segura has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s also rushed for five touchdowns and completed 62.8 percent of his passes.
“He’s accurate and he has a quick release,” Adame said. “That’s huge. You add that he’s mobile too, and he’s got some great qualities.”
Overall, with receivers J.J. Flores, Tey Valdez and A.J. Rodriguez, Marichalar said his offense has “big-play ability.”
“It’s a level of confidence that our kids have in the offensive coaching staff,” Marichalar said. “There’s a lot of trust that they’ll be put in the right spots. The playmaking ability of our receivers comes into play. When the ball is up in the air, they do a heck of a job of timing and going up to get it.”
The Yellowjackets’ newfound fondness for the aerial attack provides a different test for Mercedes’ defense, statistically ranked as 32-5A’s best. The Tigers allow 18.2 points on 204.5 yards per game, but they’ve played one true pass-heavy team all season in McAllen Rowe. That came in Week 2.
Mercedes goes from game-planning for a power I-team last week in Donna High, which did not attempt a pass, to trying to solve an Edcouch-Elsa team that throws almost 30 times a game.
“As a defensive coach, you adjust every week,” Adame said. “You do the best you can. It’s an adjustment. We go against each other in practice as well, and we pass too, but it is something you have to prepare for.”
Marichalar said reigning district champ Mercedes (3-3, 2-1) is just as explosive as it’s ever been, but is more athletic. Most of that can be attributed to a core of playmaking sophomores, including quarterback Zach Gomez, running back Fabian Ledesma and linebacker Roger Adame III.
But with a team still trying to learn its way, there will be some downs. The Tigers lost 28-21 to Donna last week in a game that ate at them well into the night. As with any young team, tonight will be about how it rebounds, in yet another big game against another formidable opponent.
A second district defeat would significantly hinder Mercedes’ hope of defending its title.
“That Donna game was one of the biggest games they’ve been in and they fought and didn’t back down,” Adame said. “I was proud of them, and all I want is to see that same effort and play. These kids are ready and looking forward to it.
“They still have that bad taste in their mouths, and they’ll be ready.”