By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
After hauling in nine catches for 91 yards in Week 10, Mission Veterans Memorial’s Adam Solis joined his teammates atop the top receivers in district.
Through nine games, Solis has totaled 33 catches — fourth in 31-5A — for 459 yards and three TDs behind fellow sophomore teammate Roman De Leon (53 catches, 566 yards, 5 TDs), junior Bobby Tovar (51, 641, 6) and senior John Garcia (44, 488, 4). The four Patriots players have carved out their spot as the district leaders in receptions.
The opportunities have opened up as a result of a screen package that Mission Veterans introduced during the offseason. Rather than have the defense hone in on the aerial attack, opponents have to worry about their ground game now more than ever.
“We talked to the kids about it back in May,” Gilpin said. “I was really excited about it. I told them it’s going to be really effective.”
Garcia has been the biggest benefactor, leading the team with 582 rushing yards on 91 catches, scoring seven TDs. It’s helped shape the top offense in district, averaging 405.8 yards per contest.
“It’s a combination of things,” Gilpin said. “You can’t do it without your offensive line and run game. (Quarterbacks) Santos (Villarreal) and Diego (Hernandez) have done a good job of getting them the ball. We throw the ball, that’s what we hang our hats on. But we’ll keep you honest with the run game.”
The Patriots do it enough to keep the opposition guessing.
But, at its core, Gilpin said, “We’re going to put the ball in the air and play to our strengths.”
ALL TO ITSELF
Sharyland High (8-1, 5-0) has already clinched a playoff berth and at least a share of the district. Regardless of the outcome of Thursday’s game against Rio Grande City, the Rattlers are assured the top seed in Division II.
So what’s the incentive to go all-out in Week 11?
“We want that district title outright,” Sharyland coach Ron Adame said. “That’s one of our goals during the season. We have an opportunity to reach one of those wins. We don’t want to share. That’s the main driving force this week.”
The Rattlers can claim it outright with a win. Otherwise, it’ll have to share with it the winner of the Edinburg Vela-Mission Veterans game, also scheduled for Thursday.
Adame said he’s wrestling with the idea of giving him starters ample time on the field to stay in rhythm and giving other players added reps.
“You want to give your individuals who have backup roles some game experience. You never know, they may be the ones on the field out of necessity. So it’s a catch-22 with finishing games with starters and running the risk of injuries,” Adame said. “You want to make sure you’re in condition to play a full game (heading into the playoffs).”
LAST SPOT
With a win over Roma on Friday, Valley View (1-8, 1-4) can clinch the fourth and final playoff ticket in district.
If that were to happen, the Tigers would tie Roma (4-4-1, 2-3) with two district wins. Even if Rio Grande City (3-6, 1-4) were to upset Sharyland High on Thursday, Valley View would hold the tiebreaker, having beaten RGC earlier in the season.
“It’s going to be a really good game,” Tigers coach Baldo Peña said. “Roma’s going to bring their A-game, they always do. It’s going to be a good match.”