By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
On paper, it’s a rematch.
The Rivera Raiders and the McAllen High Bulldogs meet once again in the playoffs, just like they did last season. But each squad expects a different opponent than the one they faced last year during the Raiders’ 33-21 bi-district victory in McAllen .
Rivera plays host to McAllen High in a Class 6A Division II area-round game tonight at Sams Memorial Stadium.
“We know itsa rematch, they know its a rematch. We won last year so they’re going to come down here with a different attitude I’m sure,” Rivera coach Tom Chavez said.
The Bulldogs had one of the top offenses in District 30-6A this season, averaging 374 yards and 32 points per game. The Raiders were the top defense in 32-6A, allowing just 242 yards and 22 points per game.
McAllen High boasts the second-best passer, Fred Hover, and the second-best rusher, Ricky Rodriguez, in the district. Hover actually is a duel threat,he threw for 1,086 yards and 12 touchdowns and ran for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns. Rodriguez ran for 1,207 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season.
Chavez knows it will be another tough test for his defense this week.
“Their coach, (Kevin) Brewer, does a really good job (with his offense). They’ve been in the playoffs the last couple of years,” Chavez said. “I know they’ll be ready, but we’ll also be ready ourselves.”
Led by quarterback Danny Elizondo, the Raiders’ offense has been even better this season. Last year, Rivera was a run-heavy team with one of the top running backs in the district in Jacquil Evans. This season without Evans, Elizondo has become one of the district’s top passers, but he has been keeping opposing defenses on their heels by running the football almost as often. Last week, Elizondo had a hand in all seven Raiders touchdowns, throwing for four and running for three others.
Rivera is playing host to the playoff rematch, but Chavez doesn’t feel it gives the Raiders an advantage.
“It doesn’t matter if we play at home or away, the field is the same size,” he said. “We can’t control the fans,we can only control what we do.”
The one thing that is similar throughout the season is the way the Raiders have prepared. Chavez said Rivera won’t prepare any different for McAllen High because it’s another playoff game.
“We don’t really prepare (for an opponent). We, of course, look at film and see what we need to take care of, offensively and defensively,” Chavez said. “We’ve been doing exactly what we’ve been doing throughout the year.”
After six straight wins, Rivera is positive and upbeat about this week’s game against the Bulldogs.
“We’ve been playing very well the last couple of games, and our confidence is (high), too,” Chavez said. “It should be an exciting game for everyone.”
McAllen High coach Kevin Brewer did not return multiple messages seeking comment.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected] Twitter, he’s @andrewmcrum.