By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
When Hanna takes the field Saturday, it will have been three weeks since the Golden Eagles have played a real game.
So if the Hanna is anxious to get on the field and play against San Benito, it’s understandable.
Due to weather conditions, Hanna wasn’t able to play its scheduled non-district game against Donna High in Week 3. And nearly every team in District 32-6A had a bye week in Week 4 ahead of district play.
“These kids are more than anxious to get back to playing,” Hanna coach Rene Medrano said. “We’ve worked and worked and worked and, man, it seems like we haven’t played in a long time. They’re anxious, antsy and they can hardly wait for Saturday so they can play a game.”
The Eagles faced a similar situation last season, as weather canceled one of their non-district games.
Rather than worry about missing live action before district play, Medrano has put the extra time to good use.
“We’ve been having some good workouts, so that helps, and the kids are upbeat, they’re excited,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of time to go over things, get the kids healthy. All those variables, we are using as a plus.”
Another positive for the Eagles has been extra time to prepare for a new member to the district, San Benito.
The Greyhounds hardly are unfamiliar, though. San Benito was a district opponent a few years ago before the previous UIL realignment.
“That’s the biggest plus for us. We still know what they’re all about, that they’re capable of being a really good team,” Medrano said. “We know we’re going to have to bring our ‘A’ game.”
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Los Fresnos experienced three tough games during its non-district schedule. No contest was more than four points.
The Falcons jumped to a sizable lead before losing to Edinburg North, had to hold off a late rally by Edcouch-Elsa and overcame a first-half deficit to defeat PSJA North.
Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said his team spent the extra week working on things to avoid similar outcomes during district.
“We just have to get better at taking care of the football,” he said. “We’ve emphasized that and have adjusted a few issues that we feel to make our team more proficient. In the first two games, we jumped out ahead and didn’t finish very well. And the last game we finished well but didn’t start very good.
“We are just trying to become more proficient, consistent football team.”
That will be especially important as district starts.
“I think the district is as strong as it’s been since I’ve been here the last four or five years, it’s as evenly matched as I’ve seen it,” Finley said. “Anybody can beat anybody on any given night, so you’re going to have to come in and play seven really good weeks of football in order to make the playoffs.”
The Falcons’ focus shifts to the games that mean a possible trip to the postseason.
“Everybody is 0-0, it’s a brand new season and what has happened in the past means absolutely nothing,” Finley said. “They were tuneup games for what counts, and these are the ones that count.”
FAMILIAR FOES
With non-district matchups out of the way, the teams will shift their attention to more acquainted opponents.
District 32-6A kicks off Friday with Harlingen High visiting Rivera, Lopez traveling to Los Fresnos and Brownsville Veterans Memorial hitting the road against Harlingen South.
The first week of district play wraps up with San Benito facing Hanna on Saturday.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.