By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
For football teams such as Lopez, Porter and Pace that are playing only one scrimmage prior to the start of the regular season in late August, this week presents an opportunity that they can’t afford to squander.
All three of them had spring ball back in May and knew going into the start of their fall workouts Aug. 10 that this situation would exist. Their neighbors around town and many teams elsewhere throughout the state will be playing their second scrimmages this week after beginning fall practice Aug. 3.
The Lobos, Cowboys and Vikings are satisfied that their work in the spring has done a lot to help them get ready for the fall season, so let the scrimmaging begin.
Porter will be on its campus to scrimmage against Raymondville at 7 p.m. Thursday, and Pace travels to Edinburg Economedes to scrimmage the Jaguars at 10 a.m. Friday. Lopez visits St. Joseph Academy for a 7 p.m. scrimmage Friday at Canales Field.
“Since this will be our only scrimmage, we want it to look and feel like a regular-season week,” Lopez coach Jason Starkey said. “We’re excited to be playing someone other than ourselves. We just want to take the next step in all three phases of the game (when we scrimmage SJA).
“We were a very young team last year,” Starkey added. “We hope the experience we gained last season translates into more success this year.”
As far as additional scrimmages involving Metro-area teams Thursday, Brownsville Veterans Memorial will play host to PSJA High at 7 p.m. on its campus.
On Friday, Donna High visits Brownsville to take on Rivera at 11 a.m. at Sams Memorial Stadium. In other scrimmages involving Metro-area teams Friday, it’s Edinburg High at Los Fresnos at 7 p.m. on the high school campus, Hanna at PSJA Memorial at 6:30 p.m. and Mercedes at Port Isabel at 6 p.m.
Pace coach William Deen has several objectives for the Vikings when they scrimmage against Economedes.
“I’d like to see our offensive line play physical,” he said. “We’ve got some players we’re looking at for several positions on offense and defense.
“Overall, the consistency of our play (is something we want to improve),” Deen added.
Porter coach Tom Campos said his team is eager to play against an outside opponent.
“We’re just excited to hit somebody else,” Campos said. “Our players have been getting a little antsy in practice, so we’re anxious to get out there (and scrimmage).”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.