Like most ambitious teams, Sharyland High coach Ron Adame scheduled non-district opponents based on their postseason potential. McAllen Memorial, Laredo United and Brownsville Rivera have all offered that challenge. And while Laredo Alexander certainly has those credentials, it brings an added wrinkle to Friday’s matchup.
The two boast similar styles of plays. Both run a no-huddle, spread offense. Both have elusive quarterbacks. And while their defense varies, both line up with three-man fronts, at times.
“When you see us play each other, it looks like we’re playing against ourselves,” Sharyland offensive coordinator Joe Alex Leal said.
Since 2009, both teams have met three times, once in the opening round of the postseason. The Rattlers have won each time, beating Alexander 22-14 last year and 59-21 in 2012. Naturally, the two head coaches are familiar with one another.
Having faced a Joel Lopez-coached team twice in non-district and once in the playoffs, Adame knows few things are certain with his ever-changing lineup.
“What he’s doing at the beginning of the year may not be what they do at the end,” Adame said of Lopez. “He has a knack for moving guys around, trying to get the right fit for the particular kids he has. He’s peaking around playoffs, right at the end of the year.”
In many ways, it’s similar to Sharyland, which has several players with the ability to play more than one position. Twice this season, the Rattlers have had as many as three quarterbacks play. Through three games, Diego Chrysler has contributed more away from center. Lance Madden, who shared snaps with Chrysler last season, has largely led the aerial attack this year. And Cesar Chapa, their third-string QB, has also found success in spurts, partly with his ground threat.
While the Rattlers’ 26-game winning streak, including 23 under Adame, could very well be at risk Friday, Sharyland’s concern is more with the long-term benefit of the team.
“I think it’s the right challenge because of the level of competition they’re going to provide us,” Adame said. “You can’t replace those types of teams. Those kids are returning lettermen that have experience in the third round (of the playoffs). They’ve faced the Laredo Uniteds. They’re used to facing the San Antonio-area teams. They’re used to facing the Corpus Christis.
“So what they bring to the table as far as playoff experience, it’s going to be invaluable. We know that’s going to get us ready for our district.”
Like Sharyland, Alexander is also using tonight’s collision as a measuring stick with district a week away.
“I just think Sharyland’s one of the top, perennial teams in the Valley,” Lopez said. “It’s a good game for us to measure what we can do defensively and offensively. I just think it’s going to be a great game.”
With quarterback Aaron Swain, Alexander relies more on its passing game, which accounts for 848 of its 1,130 offensive yards. The Rattlers are hoping Swain doesn’t come out of the pocket and scramble, where he’s had success with his playmaking ability. Sharyland has that with Madden, who has been likened to former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel because of his ability to run and find open targets.
“For us defensively, I like that we’re facing a team similar to us,” Sharyland defensive coordinator Craig Krell said. “This is our fourth playoff team in a row. And not only that, you look at two of the better schools in Laredo are Alexander and United; you look at (McAllen) Memorial, they’re one of the top teams in the Valley. So I think we’ve played great competition. So I think this’ll put in a situation that’ll help us not only in district, but (also prepares us) for the playoffs.”