DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
Though news surfaced Monday that junior quarterback Marco Aguinaga needs surgery on his finger and will miss at least six weeks, Edcouch-Elsa coach Joe Marichalar is not looking at the hindered appendage as a season-ender.
“We’re not saying he’s completely out,” Marichalar said. “What we are saying is he’ll be out this week. We don’t want to look too far ahead. We’re concentrating on what we have right now and what we can control.”
Aguinaga, who has thrown for 513 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another 149 yards, was supposed to be out only 2-3 weeks after suffering a hairline fracture on his left ring finger during the Week 3 win at Edinburg North. But it was discovered the finger was rotated wrong because of the dislocation and Aguinaga will need surgery, which takes place Thursday. Aguinaga’s mother, Daneilla, confirmed the news in a Facebook post Monday.
In the meantime, Marichalar will go with senior Andrew Segura as a starter for Friday’s district-opener against PSJA High. Segura is No. 2 on the depth chart, but it’s also probable No. 3 Moses Gomez and No. 4 Tey Valdez see time as well.
“We’ll give those guys an opportunity to be successful,” Marichalar said. “The offense won’t change a whole bunch. Those guys have been getting reps since day one. They understand the concept of what we’re trying to do.”
The Yellowjackets are expected to return defensive lineman Julio Contreras to the field this week. Contreras has not played in a game this season because of a knee injury.
SO FAR, SO GOOD
Mercedes is moving along as expected so far. The Tigers (1-2) have a strong, aggressive defense and a conservative, efficient offense that has only turned the ball over once.
“We had to grow up real quick, and I saw them grow up real fast,” Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. said of his young team. “The confidence level is big; they’re catching up to the speed of the game. We’re moving the ball consistently and we’re getting off the field on third downs.”
A big reason for the offensive success has been sophomore running back Fabian Ledesma, who has 205 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries and has assumed the role of the No. 1 back.
“He’s a strong runner,” Adame said. “He’s one of these backs that, when he gets the ball, he can score from anywhere on the field. He’s committed himself to being an overall back and really learning the offense.”
The Tigers are playing well as they position themselves to defend their district title.
“We know we’re putting the title on the line,” Adame said. “Whether we like it or not, we’re going to take everybody’s best shot. There’s no doubt teams are coming to get what we have, and our kids understand it.”
BEARS STAYING FOCUSED
PSJA High is 0-3 and has been outscored 158-32. But coach Steve Marroquin, per his positive nature, sees plenty of good.
“I like that our kids are working hard,” he said. “We’re out here trying to put an end to what’s been going on. They have a good attitude, they never quit, and slowly but surely we feel confident where our team is headed.”
Marroquin likes the defense, though it has surrendered 52.6 points and 441.3 yards per game. Replacing 10 starters has been a daunting task, but the Bears have improved as games have progressed, thanks to the coaching staff simplifying schemes and focusing more on making sure kids are in the right position, first and foremost.
“I don’t want to put it all on youth,” Marroquin said. “We’ve played some very good teams, and a lot of it is we’re facing experienced teams. It can be attributed to youth and to not doing things fundamentally right.”
The Bears could get back starting quarterback Andrew Castaneda this week, who got injured during the second quarter of the second game of the season. They have also been without their starting center the last two games. Those are reasons why the offense has produced six points, total, in those contests.
“We just want to make sure we stay focused,” Marroquin said. “This is the second season. It’s seven games that will dictate where we stand.”