By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
The Rivera Raiders return to the regional round of the playoffs for the second time, and first time since 1999.
Rivera defeated McAllen High 36-29 in overtime in the area round and is set to face San Antonio Northside Brandeis at 7 tonight at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville.
“We know they’re a good team, their win-loss record is pretty good one,” Rivera coach Tom Chavez said. “We’re preparing basically the same, but I need to emphasize a little bit more about getting focused and the mental game right now.”
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Rivera didn’t have classes this week. But instead of a distraction outside the normal routine, Chavez said the team has been even more focused during practice.
“It’s been pretty good. We’ve practiced in the mornings and give them the afternoon off,” he said. “That they could be doing anything else but they are here, and to me that means they’ll be focused and ready.”
While the Raiders are running on all cylinders on both sides of the ball, they must be prepared against an equally talented team in Northside Brandeis. The Broncos run a balanced offense and scores nearly 37 points per game. The Northside Brandeis defense is just as stingy as that of the Raiders, allowing less than 15 points per game to its opponents and holding three to less than 10 points.
Chavez compared the Broncos to Weslaco East, the team that also advanced to the regional round and defeated the Raiders 41-28 in Week 1.
While Rivera was fairly sound on both sides of the ball during the game, the Wildcats used a 250-yard effort and four touchdowns from running back Lupe Moron as the advantage in the victory.
“We have to be ready for a little bit of everything,” Chavez said of the Broncos’ offense.
Rivera will certainly need to be better on defense. The Raiders allowed 21 points per game during the season but have allowed an average of 35 points during the past three weeks.
For the Raiders to be successful on offense, they again will rely on the play of quarterback Danny Elizondo. The senior has had a hand in each of the 12 touchdowns Rivera has scored this postseason. Elizondo has thrown six touchdown passes and ran for the other six scores.
Like most weeks this season, Rivera has prepared the same way. Focusing on being sharper on offense and tougher on defense. And none of that has changed this week in preparing to face the Broncos.
Chavez said the keys to the game are simple for the Raiders.
“I think we have to move the chains and take care of the ball,” he said. “And (hopefully) take care of business.”
Northside Brandeis coach John Campbell could not be reached for comment.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.