By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Through three district games, Hanna was winless in 32-6A and not sure what else it could do to get over the hump.
The Golden Eagles played well in each game, but a few plays here and there seemed to be the difference in each of those losses.
With Hanna’s win against Lopez, the Eagles finally got that first district win. Hanna coach Rene Medrano hopes the momentum finally shifts for them after narrowly losing a few games.
“We hope so,” he said. “It was big. Any district win is big, that’s for sure, but we’re going to find out (what happens).”
One thing that helps is that the Eagles are healthy enough for a stretch run to finish district.
“I don’t think we got anybody banged up,” Medrano said. “Which is just as important (as anything) this late in the year.”
Hanna has a tough schedule to finish the season, too. The Eagles travel to Harlingen South this week, they play host to Rivera next week and finish the season on the road at Los Fresnos.
Medrano hopes his team can finish the season strong.
“Now we’re on the right track,” he said. “Now we have to stay on the right track.”
ALL TIED AT THE TOP: With San Benito’s win against Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Harlingen High’s victory over Los Fresnos in Week 9, each team is now 3-1 in district play with three games left to play.
Los Fresnos and Brownsville Veterans have had the upper hand all season, but with each losing in Week 8, the door is suddenly wide open. The teams face each other in a crucial game next week in Week 10 at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Four teams — Rivera, San Benito, Harlingen High, and Los Fresnos — shared last year’s district crown, and it could happen again this season. But anything can happen from now until then, and the four playoff teams may not be settled until Week 11, when the dust settles on the regular season.
Brownsville Veterans plays host to Harlingen High in an important game this week, faces Los Fresnos at home next week and finishes the season against Lopez.
Los Fresnos plays host to Rivera this week, is on the road against the Chargers next week and finishes the season at home against Hanna.
San Benito is at Lopez, at home against Harlingen South and on the road against Rivera.
Harlingen High is at Brownsville Veterans, plays host to Lopez and finishes against crosstown rival Harlingen South.
ONE YEAR’S DIFFERENCE: Rivera is still winless on the season and running out of time to get a ‘W’ in the win column.
Last year, the Raiders started 0-5 but finished the season on a five-game winning streak to propel them to a share of the district title and to the third round of the playoffs.
But Rivera hasn’t been on par with last year’s squad on offense or defense. The Raiders have averaged nine points and 197 yards of offense per game. On defense, Rivera has allowed 39 points and 355 yards per game.
The Raiders finish the season on the road against Los Fresnos, against Hanna the next week and finally play host to San Benito.
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.