By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Tonight’s 31-5A battle featuring Edinburg Vela and Mission Veterans has a little bit of everything — from an intriguing quarterback duel (Ebher Lopez vs. Santos Villarreal) leading the top two offenses in district to playoff seeding implications.
And if Rio Grande City can pull an upset tonight over Sharyland High, the winner of Vela-Mission Vets would also split the share of the 31-5A title.
“There’s a lot of things to play for here,” Mission Vets coach David Gilpin said.
Both teams have been ranked atop the district standings and have consistently been in the RGVSports.com top 10 poll.
Edinburg Vela (8-1, 4-1) can cap what has been its best season in its short history. In their inaugural year in 2012, the SaberCats were 0-10. Last year, they were 5-5, missing the playoffs. They’ve already clinched a playoff berth and they’re on the verge of securing the top seed in a division that could very well pit them against either Donna High, PSJA High or PSJA Southwest.
Mission Veterans (7-2, 4-1) is assured a playoff spot, as well, and will be in the same division as Vela, regardless of the outcome, because of its enrollment numbers.
The Patriots have been in the playoffs before. They set out to go 10-0. After falling short of that due to losses to Odessa Permian and Sharyland, Mission Vets set its sights on the runner-up spot in district.
Vela’s hoping for the same, seeking the close-to-perfect 9-1 record.
“This is a big ballgame for our program,” SaberCats coach Michael Salinas said. “Back in December, we talked about going from good to great. Our kids have sort of brought that to life. We’re going to try to finish what we started.”
All year, both programs have led statistical categories. Mission Vets boasts the best offense and defense, and Vela comes in second in offense.
What’s more, the SaberCats have the biggest point differential among district teams, outscoring opponents 384-151.
“They come out and give you a lot of different formations,” Gilpin said. “They spread the ball. They’ve got skilled kids all around. Their quarterback is one of the best we’ve seen all year. They’re an impressive bunch.”
Mission Vets has had a bit of bumpier road. There was some uncertainty this season when quarterback Santos Villarreal was sidelined with a sprained ankle. During those two games he sat out, however, sophomore Diego Hernandez emerged as a capable successor, igniting a Patriots win streak that has stretched four games.
Edinburg Vela has won four straight, as well. The SaberCats aren’t searching for their fifth consecutive win as much as they’re aimint to go 1-0 this week, as Salinas puts it.
“We still have some unfinished business; the season’s not over. It’s something our kids took a lot of pride in; it’s our motto going into this year,” Salinas said. “For our guys, (going 9-1) would be big. They’re hungry and they’re still excited to get there.”