DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
ELSA — It’s no surprise Cedar Park is still playing football this time of year. The Timberwolves, state champion runner-ups in 2014 and state champs in 2012, are ranked No. 1 in Class 5A in the state and are 12-0.
It is a bit of a surprise, however, that it’s Edcouch-Elsa playing Cedar Park in their Class 5A, Division II regional playoff game at 7:30 Friday night at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio.
The Yellowjackets (8-4) started the season strong, winning six of their first seven games. But injuries and a sudden lack of execution offensively bled into a three-game losing streak to close the regular season.
“A lot of people doubted us and we wanted to prove them all wrong,” E-E senior linebacker Sammy Alaniz said. “We wanted to show that they were wrong for doubting us. Everyone said we’re ‘one-and-done’ and look at us now.”
Look at them now. Edcouch-Elsa steamrolled Roma in the bi-district round and shocked 10-1 Somerset last week to make the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Now it faces its greatest test yet.
The Timberwolves have outscored opponents this season by an average of 35 points. They have outscored playoff foes Bastrop and No. 6 Kerrville Tivy by a combined score of 98-28.
And they couldn’t care less about a No. 1 state ranking.
“Our kids have done a great job of handling every week as its own season,” Cedar Park coach Carl Abseck said. “They don’t pay attention to what’s said or written about them. They pay attention to the team in front of us.”
Cedar Park averages 463.9 total yards. Sophomore quarterback Mak Sexton has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,043 yards and 23 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
In spite of Sexton’s gaudy numbers, though, it’s the running game that carries Cedar Park. The Timberwolves are led by running backs Tyler Lavine (643 yards, 8 TDs), William Richter (498 yards, 9 TDs) and Jack Grimm (302 yards, 14 TDs).
Abseck’s game plan going into Friday is clear. Keep the ball away from the Yellowjackets.
“We want to move the chains and run our offense the way we want to,” Abseck said. “We have to eliminate turnovers offensively. I know that’s a cliché, but we need to take care of the football and dictate what we do.”
The Yellowjackets are one of four Rio Grande Valley teams still standing. Edcouch-Elsa is here because of a balanced offense (339.3 yards for 27.7 points per game) and stingy defense (allowing 18.6 points on 243.1 yards per game). Abseck praised Edcouch-Elsa’s defense, noting its strength along the front and the need to get good angles from his offensive linemen to match-block.
The Yellowjackets are finally healthy, with starting quarterback Marco Aguinaga returning to the field last week after an eight-game absence because of a finger injury. Abseck admitted his team will have to adjust on the fly Friday because he did not see a completely healthy E-E team on film.
Aguinaga did not start the Somerset game, but was put in late during the second quarter and rallied the Yellowjackets to a win with two big second-half touchdowns. Marichalar said that will be the plan Friday — start backup Andrew Segura, who has thrown for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns in place of Aguinaga this season, and then bring in Aguinaga as a change of pace if he sees fit.
Though the Yellowjackets acknowledge the difficult task at hand, they are far from intimidated.
“Cedar Park is in a league of its own,” said E-E coach Joe Marichalar, who added Cedar Park’s team speed is “special” and that the Timberwolves don’t make mistakes. “But we want to go out there and earn some respect.
“It’s a mental thing. We’re here for a reason. That’s a very good team we’re playing, No. 1 for a reason. But what we have to understand is we’re here for a reason, too. It isn’t a fluke. A hit is a hit. It doesn’t matter how big or how small or what color or whatever. A hit is a hit.”
Senior running back Tey Valdez, who caught two touchdown passes during last week’s upset of Somerset, said he is confident the Yellowjackets’ receivers, linebackers and defensive backs can keep up with the Timberwolves. E-E saw this type of competition at the state 7-on-7 tournament in July, Valdez said.
“The ranking is just a number,” said Valdez, who has scored six touchdowns in two playoff games and has 12 this season. “It doesn’t mean anything. We play football like they play football. It’s a matter of us doing our job, working hard and giving that extra effort. It’s in our hands.”
An opportunity has arrived that Edcouch-Elsa isn’t willing to squander.
“They’re normal teenagers just like us,” senior linebacker Rigo Ayala said. “We’re going to play our hearts out, and I’m sure they will too. May the best team win.”
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CLASS 5A, DIVISION II REGIONAL
EDCOUCH-ELSA VS. CEDAR PARK
WHERE: Alamo Stadium, San Antonio
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Edcouch-Elsa (8-4); Cedar Park (12-0)
GAME NOTES: Edcouch-Elsa is in the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Cedar Park is ranked No. 1 in Class 5A in the state and was state runner-up last season. …. The Yellowjackets stunned Somerset in the area round last week thanks to two big second-half touchdowns from Marco Aguinaga and a decisive goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter. … Cedar Park beat No. 6 state-ranked Kerrville Tivy 49-14 last week. … The Yellowjackets are facing a balanced offense for one of the few times this season. Cedar Park averages 267.8 rushing yards and 196.1 passing yards. Sophomore QB Mak Sexton (66.7 percent completion, 2,042 passing yards, 23 TDs-3 INTs) and RB Tyler Lavine (643 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs; 625 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs) are the Timberwolves’ primary threats. … E-E’s consistent playmaker of late has been senior Tey Valdez, who has six touchdowns in two playoff games. The running back/receiver has 12 overall this season. … Backup QB Andrew Segura, who has started the last nine games, will start tonight for E-E, with starter Aguinaga waiting if E-E wants a change of pace. Segura has thrown for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns as a starter since Aguinaga hurt his finger in Week 3 and just returned last week. … Defense is the strength of Edcouch-Elsa. The Yellowjackets allow just 18.6 points on 243.1 yards per game and have 22 takeaways this season.
PREDICTION: Cedar Park, 28-10
— Dennis Silva II