MERCEDES — In their scrimmage at Tiger Stadium on Friday evening, Mercedes and Port Isabel played virtually even for the first portion, which was a controlled format. It was close for the most part as the Tigers prevailed 3-1. Then, two live quarters commenced and it was a different story for the Tigers, who flexed their muscle in a 14-0 decision.
“We were a little sloppy when we first started,” Mercedes coach Roger Adame said. “There was improvement from last week, but we have some stuff to clean up. Defensively, the boys played their hearts out. And when it came into the game-like situation, we were able to move the ball well.”
Rene Presas scored on a 1-yard keeper, and added another TD run. Joel Garcia added a TD reception.
In the live half, Mercedes got a 6-yard score from Isaac Vela along with a nice 31-yard burst from Jesus Rios to close things out.
McALLEN MEMORIAL VS. HARLINGEN SOUTH: At Harlingen, the Mustangs looked dominant up front on both sides of the line, as they scored seven touchdowns and won the live period 7-0 after Trevor Speights scored on a 4-yard run following a fumble by South’s Steven Rodriguez.
The Mustangs scored at least one touchdown in their first three times with the ball. The Mustang speed created problems for the Hawks defense.
Memorial’s quarterback Trevor Pedraza scored a rushing touchdown and threw for one on a 38-yard strike to DJ Talamantez.
Speights scored three times on the night, including one from 70 yards out in the controlled period.
“We had some penalties but the kids are excited during the first time out. We did some good things and we did some bad things. We want to take care of the football and play good defense behind it,” Mustang coach Bill Littleton said. “I was proud but at the same time we have to get better because our whole schedule is tough and we have to able to play in a hurry.”
HARLINGEN HIGH VS. SHARYLAND HIGH: At Mission, Sharyland High’s three quarterbacks scored as the Rattlers cruised to a 35-14 four-quarter, live action win against Harlingen High.
Quarterback Lance Madden scored three touchdowns (two passing — first to Seth Carter, then James Coles). Diego Chrysler connected on another with Sean Landez for about 60 yards. And third-string QB Cesar Chapa found Cole for another score.
Sharyland coach Ron Adame was pleased with his defense, which gave up a score in the closing moments of the opening half, but atoned for that with a stop late in the game near the goal line on a 4th-and-1 situation.
“We were flying to the football,” Adame said, before adding, “Just, overall, one common areas to improve would be conditioning, getting into game conditioning. That’s something that we talked about. We’ve got to be ready to go four quarters next week. And also the third-down battles. We won some; we were about 50/50. We did come up with some good, big plays on third down. I want to say we had three or four 3-and-outs.
“Overall, we were pleased with our boys’ effort. We just have to polish some things going into next week.”
SAN BENITO VS. PSJA NORTH: At Pharr, San Benito used an attacking defense and an offense that got hot in taking down the Raiders 30-7.
The teams elected to play a “live” format scrimmage with four 12-minute quarters. Special teams were dead and coaches were in game mode on the sidelines. The Raiders got on the board late when QB George Olivarez, who ran well in the second half, scored on a 31-yard scamper to avert the shutout.
“We had some questions answered today,” North coach Jorge Pena said. “The only way to find out who’s who and who’s what is when you put the pads on. I have a pretty good idea now. There’s a lot of newness to these guys and we’re going to be fine.”
ROMA VS. LAREDO NIXON: At Roma, the Gladiators’ R.J. Garza connected with Aldo Ramirez on an 11-yard touchdown and Peter Rodriguez scored on a 1-yard keeper to give Roma a 14-7 win over Laredo Nixon in a four-quarter, live action game.
Roma coach Max Habecker Jr. said Garza, a returning starting QB, threw the ball well and had good pocket presence. Through their first two scrimmages, Habecker said Roma has yet to turn the ball over.
Cornerback Alex Maldonado impressed the coaching staff by breaking up three passes and intercepting another. Linebackers Jesus Hernandez and Roger Lozano also played a “tremendously.”
DONNA NORTH VS. SHARYLAND PIONEER: At Mission, Sharyland Pioneer drew a tie against visiting Donna North in its first-ever scrimmage.
In controlled action, the Diamondbacks and Chiefs were knotted at 1-1. In live action, Donna North scored in the second quarter. Pioneer countered later with a 99-yard drive, forcing overtime. In the extra session, the Diamondbacks opened with a score and Donna North countered, at which point both coaches agreed to call it at night.
LA JOYA HIGH VS. MISSION VETERANS: At Mission, the Patriots came away with a 21-13 win over La Joya High in two quarters of live action after drawing a 1-1 tie in controlled play.
Mission Vets quarterback Santos Villarreal scored in controlled action and again in the live portion. He also connected with Adam Solis on a TD pass. Teammate John Garcia, a running back, capped the Patriots’ scoring effort.
“I’m glad to get this one in the books,” Mission Vets coach David Gilpin said. “Can’t wait to get in and watch it on film. We’ll start to get ready for our season, like everyone else. For what we got tonight, it’s all I could’ve asked for.”
PSJA MEMORIAL VS. BROWNSVILLE HANNA: At Brownsville, the Wolverines took advantage of missed tackles by the Eagles run defense and narrowly defeated Hanna 10-7 during four quarters of live action on Friday at the Brownsville Sports Park.
PSJA Memorial’s offense was led by the run option combination of quarterback Eric Medellin and running back Johnathan Trevino. Trevino ran the ball 11 times on the day and scored late in the second quarter of live action on a 6-yard run to tie the game at 7.
EDINBURG NORTH VS. MISSION: In Mission, Edinburg North quarterback Martin Rodriguez scored on a 70-yard run to push the Cougars to a 7-3 win in the game situations portion of their scrimmage.
The teams tied 0-0 in the controlled portion.
“We’ve got a lot of cleaning up to do, but we came away with some positives,” North coach Rene Sanez said.
Mission was able to move the ball offensively but struggled in the red zone, turning the ball over three times.
GRULLA VS. LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN: At La Joya, Juarez-Lincoln’s Carlos Barrera had two touchdown catches from Edward Garcia and Robert Gonzalez had an interception as the Huskies won two lives quarters 7-0, won the first portion of the controlled scrimmage 1-0 and fell in the second portion of the controlled scrimmage 2-0.
LOS FRESNOS VS. EDINBURG: At Edinburg, Los Fresnos defeated Edinburg 17-3 in two quarters of live play.
Edinburg quarterback Angel Diaz left the game with an ankle injury, but coach Joaquin Escobar was pleased with how backup Efrain Borrego looked in his place. Recievers Tristan Olivarez, John Murillo and Ramon Garcia also showed well.
“I was really proud of our kids, they played their tails off,” Escobar said. “Really I didn’t know how physical we would be, and I was really surprised.”