By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — Moments after his team scored 70 points for the second straight week, Edinburg Vela coach Michael Salinas said he was “still trying to process” what had happened Friday night.
Running back Robert Guerra, who posted a career-high four touchdowns, couldn’t explain how it had happened, either.
This type of scoring output was not to be expected from a SaberCats team adjusting to the loss of key offensive players, including a starting quarterback, tight end and running backs. But Vela will, nonetheless, take its 70-40 victory over Harlingen South, marking its 11th regular-season win in the past 12 games, dating back to last season.
“Our coaches have been pushing us a lot lately,” Guerra said. “They’ve been making us work hard.
“Those 70 points, it’s really nothing. We’re just trying to go out there and win games.”
Guerra upstaged his Week 1 performance in which he ran for 133 yards and three touchdowns in a 72-27 win over Brownsville Pace. Through two games now, he’s scored a combined seven touchdowns — a mark he didn’t reach until Week 6 last year.
That 2014 team relied on four running backs on a consistent basis, producing the top offense and rushing attack in District 31-5A. With three of those backs having graduated, Guerra has stepped into a lead role.
These days, he finds himself “a little tired,” he said. “But I push myself everyday, just running, extra work” to thrive in that role.
“I’m kind of hurt a little bit, but I’m going to keep pushing myself along in the season,” he added.
On Friday, Guerra had tallied 97 rushing yards and three touchdowns by halftime, including two other scores that were called back due to holding calls. He scored once again in the fourth quarter, on a 15-yard run, to set a career-high in scoring.
“I’m just impressed with his work ethic,” Salinas said. “He’s come everyday with a blue-collar attitude and has tried to get better. I just hope he doesn’t read the paper and see the seven touchdowns, so he could keep working.”
SETTLING IN
In his second game starting, Vela quarterback Fabian Pedraza completed 12 of 17 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. The senior beat out sophomore Nate Garcia for the starting job after transferring from McAllen Memorial.
On Friday, Pedraza also scored twice after rushing for 41 yards on four carries.
“He’s done well,” Salinas said. “He knew he had an uphill battle (learning the system) and I commend his effort for sticking with it and spending time, investing in the system. And because he’s prepared, he’s had two good performances.”
EASING THE TRANSITION
The SaberCats had one of the better wide receiver corps last year, and that’s helped sustained their aerial attack, despite a transition at quarterback.
Pedraza connected with Elijah Reyna (72 yards, four catches) for two scores and Michael Arguelles (98 yards, four catches, 2 TDs) for another. Both were heavy contributors last year on a team that went to the third round of the playoffs.
“As many returners as we have coming back at wide receiver, and the positive run game that Robert Guerra has allowed us to have early, which is a credit to our offensive line, has given him favorable opportunities. So we’ve been able to throw the ball on favorable downs, which is better for our offense.”
SHORING UP MISTAKES
Penalties had been an issue for Edinburg Vela last season. By halftime Friday, they had collected nine for 50 yards, including two that called back two touchdowns by Guerra.
“Way too many penalties,” Salinas said. “We’ve got to clean that up. We want to continue to play smart and clean. And to do that, we have to place an emphasis on that in practice.”