By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
Rivera hopes that playing a tough non-district schedule will prove effective against Harlingen High when the two teams meet at 7:30 tonight at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Though the Raiders (0-3) are in seventh place out of eight teams in District 32-6A, the record may be a bit deceptive. Rivera has performed well on both sides of the ball and ranks in the top half of the district in most categories.
Coach Tom Chavez predicts that the games played prior to the start of district competition have prepared Rivera well for a successful run.
“We played against three of the top teams in The Valley,” he said. “I think that really prepared us for down the road.”
The Raiders’ three losses came against undefeated Weslaco East; on the road in overtime against Edinburg North; and at home against Sharyland High, one of the top teams in the area.
Among 32-6A teams, the Raiders rank first in passing yards and third in offense with 553 and 892 yards, respectively. Quarterback Danny Elizondo is the catalyst for Rivera’s offense. He has thrown four touchdowns and three interceptions, completing 51.6 percent of his passes. He is leaning heavily on receivers Edward Rubio and Sammy Orive, who have combined to catch 29 balls and account for 74 percent of all yards gained through the air for Rivera, with 409 between the two of them.
The Raiders played without starting running back Jair Guevara and fullback Mario Mendez during the Week 3 matchup against Sharyland, but both players used the bye week to heal and are expected to play tonight.
Harlingen High (1-2) earned its only win last week against Weslaco High when an errant punt attempt gave the Cardinals prime field position to pull ahead for a narrow 30-29 victory.
The Harlingen High defense has allowed the second-most passing yards in the district, which might prove to be a mismatch against the Raiders. The Cardinals’ secondary likely will be the primary point of emphasis, as it will be tasked with slowing down Rivera’s aerial assault.
Harlingen High coach Manny Gomez could not be reached for comment by phone as of press time.
District play continues next week for both teams. Harlingen High will play host to Hanna at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, and Rivera will head to Brownsville Veterans Memorial at 7 p.m. Oct. 4.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.