MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Edinburg Vela’s balanced offense is the product of design and opportunity.
As a one-time defensive coordinator, Edinburg Vela coach Michael Salinas buys into the belief that the ball should be distributed evenly, keeping the opposition guessing. And, of course, plenty of that hinges on the types of look the defense gives his SaberCats.
It’s part of the reason why Vela has four of the top seven receivers in district.
“For us, it’s definitely a blessing,” Salinas said. “We don’t have to be one-sided. We don’t have to go to one particular individual. In crucial situations, we have confidence in going to any one of those guys.
“They know on any given play, (quarterback) Ebher (Lopez) can look their way and they’re going to be there waiting for the opportunity.”
After hauling in eight catches for 88 yards during Week 9, Vela’s Michael Arguelles has surged to No. 4 in the district in catches. He has 26 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns.
Teammates Steven De Luna (263 yards, 3 TDs) and Eddie Luna (437, 5 TDs) have 24 catches apiece. And Elijah Reyna has 258 yards on 19 catches for a team-leading 10 TDs.
“The biggest thing is, they’ve really worked together as a group,” Salinas said. “I think some of the reason for their initial success is they do challenge each other in practice every day.
“(Lopez) has thrown for (close to) 1,400 yards, and that’s due to the fact that he doesn’t have to go to one guy. He’s got a lot of confidence in our outside receivers.”
Vela (8-1, 4-1), which has already clinched its first-ever postseason berth, is off this week. It faces Mission Veterans in the regular-season finale in a battle that could very well decide the district runner-up.
FOCUSED
Entering his senior year, Sharyland High’s James Cole narrowed his to-do list.
Basketball was out. Cole wanted to focus on football and track.
The payoff: a productive senior season in which he is among the team’s leading scorers.
Having waited his turn behind other productive wideouts, Cole has seized this opportunity, scoring five touchdowns and hauling in 359 yards on 17 catches. He’s scored in each of the past four games, including once on a 80-yard dash after catching a screen pass behind the line of scrimmage last week in a 58-6 win over Sharyland Pioneer.
“It’s just his football IQ,” Sharyland coach Ron Adame said. “He’s a pretty intelligent guy. He works hard. You only have to tell him one time (what to do). If you cover something with him three weeks ago, he’s going to remember it. He’s very unselfish. You’re talking about little-to-no ego. He’s the epitome of a team player.”
Adame said opposing players have decided against sticking close to Cole to avoid having the 6-foot-1 wideout burst past them. In the district opener against Edinburg Vela, Cole fended off a defender mid-air to make miraculous catch around the 50-yard line. Once he had complete control of the ball, Cole darted for an 81-yard TD.
“The thing with James is, he has this God-given speed,” Adame said. “Last year, his reps and his role were limited because of the guys in front of him. But he’s worked hard every day. And, as you could see, he’s a proven player for us.”
WAIT-AND-SEE
Roma coach Max Habecker Jr. said Aldo Ramirez, a first-team all-district wide receiver, will be a gametime decision this week.
The senior has missed a significant portion of the season due to injury, the latest setback being a shoulder injury. The Gladiators hope to have his services in what will arguably be their biggest game of the year.
Roma (3-4, 1-3) will host Sharyland Pioneer (3-6, 1-4) in a game many believe will determine the fourth and final playoff spot. After this week, Roma takes on Valley View (1-7, 1-3), which faces Sharyland on Friday.