MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — For the past two weeks, Edinburg Vela has undergone a little bit of a makeover.
During the regular season, the SaberCats were known for their offensive potency, outscoring teams by a wide margin, and perhaps allowing more yards and points than its record would indicate.
But since beating Mission Veterans 39-12 in the regular-season finale, Vela has demonstrated it could slow down a top-rated offense. They proved again in the bi-district round last week, when the SaberCats blew through PSJA High, owners of the top defense in 32-5A, while nearly shutting it out through three quarters.
“It’s just how bad we want it,” free safety Armando Regalado said. “We want to take it.”
The SaberCats’ recent ascension on the defensive side of the ball is a small sample size, but it comes at the most critical stage of the season. At 2 p.m. Saturday, Vela (10-1) takes on Victoria West (9-2) in a Class 5A bi-district tilt at Kingsville.
Up to this point, the Warriors could very well be the toughest team the SaberCats have faced this season. They finished as the co-runner-ups in a competitive District 30-5A. They boast a dual-threat quarterback unlike any other Vela has seen this season, with Gamarquis Girdy passing for 12 touchdowns and running for 34.
“He’s a good football player,” Vela coach Michael Salinas said. “If you have a letdown on defense, they’ll definitely take advantage of it.”
More than ever, Vela seems well-suited for the challenge, though, posting back-to-back quality wins after beating three teams out of the playoff picture.
In what has largely been a season of firsts — first winning record, first playoff berth, first bi-district victory — the SaberCats will try to prolong their best season to date.
“We’re going to trust Coach and see where we go,” quarterback Ebher Lopez said.
Salinas played and coached at Texas A&M Kingsville, calling Javelina Stadium home for a combined eight years.
Saturday he returns with his toughest challenge of the season at hand.
“There’s no second chances at this point,” Salinas said. “At this point, the level of competition is going to improve. As that happens, we have to make sure we play our best football.
“The main thing is not allowing distractions.”
It’s been a season-long mantra for Salinas, who has also emphasized going “1-0 each week.” Ten times out of 11, the SaberCats have delivered.
Recently, it’s been the defensive plays that have made the difference. Blocked kicks. Recovering and returning fumbles for scores. Intercepting passes. It’s fueled the SaberCats in a point of the season when defense can make or break teams.
“I think we played a lot of young guys early in the season on defense that didn’t have experience,” Salinas said. “They’ve progressed in the system and they’ve made strides. And fortunately for us, they’re playing better late in the year.
“I think the matchups are going to be OK. The team that wants it a little more is going to play harder. We just have to fire our best shot.”
‘D’ leading charge for Vela