GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
Edinburg North entered the year as one of the Valley’s least experienced teams, but the Cougars have grown up quickly after playing nail biters each of the first three weeks.
Take kicker Diego Sanchez. He kicked three field goals, including a game-winner, against Los Fresnos in Week 1. He followed that up with a 49-yard overtime winner against Brownsville Rivera in Week 2. Then, in Week 3, he missed both tries as North lost an overtime decision to Edcouch-Elsa.
Coach Rene Saenz considers it a valuable lesson learned.
“Our field goal kicker got his head full of hot air,” Sanez said. “He started believing everything everybody was saying about him about being a great player and this and that. He kind of lost focus. He missed two early ones. He lost his confidence and now he knows, no matter how much success we’re having, you’re only as good as your last kick. And he needs to stay focused on that. I think the rest of the team saw that and learned from it.”
District season is still a week away, but Saenz’s team has already learned how to win tight games and handle close losses. He hopes the Cougars can play just as tight with powerhouse McAllen Memorial, which hosts Edinburg North at 7 p.m. Thursday.
“We’re just getting ready for Memorial, and hoping we can keep it close and have another nail-biter at the end,” Saenz said.
Staying in striking distance will be no easy task. The Mustangs have run for a Valley-best 1,280 yards through three game behind reigning all-Valley Player of the Year Trevor Speights, who has amassed 774 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
“Obviously, we have to stop (Speights),” Saenz said. “That’s everybody’s formula for success against Memorial. It’s going to be a lot easier said than done. We know he’s going to get his yards. We just want to limit everything. We want to make Memorial earn every touchdown. Not just have some big plays.”
Memorial’s passing game could also be more of a threat than it has been through the first three weeks, as coach Bill Littleton said returning all-district 31-5A receiver DJ Johnson will be in uniform for the first time this season after suffering a broken foot during a basketball game in early June.
The Mustangs will be looking to iron out some special teams issues and to continue finding the right pieces to the defensive puzzle. Littleton knows topping battle-tested Edinburg North won’t be an easy task.
“This is a ballclub that is 2-1 and has played pretty close ball games,” Littleton said. “I know they’ll be coming back fighting to get back to the top, so we’ll have our work cut out for us. They’re a good football team, so we’ll have to play well.”