By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
A former longtime coach will be honored this season.
Elvis Hernandez, the 1980 graduate of St. Joseph Academy, who served as the football coach and athletic director at his alma mater, and later in the same capacity at Santa Rosa and Progreso, will have his initials adorning the helmets of St. Joseph, Santa Rosa and Progreso to honor his memory, a statement released by St. Joseph said.
Hernandez lost a lengthy battle with cancer and died this spring at the age of 53.
The Bloodhounds will play host to a special ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Band Hall to honor the late coach.
Hernandez’s wife, Norma, and daughters Shelia and Amanda are expected to be in attendance along with Progreso coach Tom Salazar, Santa Rosa coach Arturo Garcia and former coordinators and longtime friends Bruce Castro and Rey Cortinas.
“Elvis was my coach in high school. He set the example of what a coach should be,” Villarreal said. “He was a man of principle and discipline but also took the time to be a second father to us. I am humbled to be able to commemorate a man with such a power influence in my life.”
PLAYING WITH HEART
Port Isabel coach Monty Stumbaugh wasn’t pleased with his team’s effort during the final scrimmage of the season against Mercedes on Friday. But he felt it was what the team needed in order to get the players in a winning frame of mind before their upcoming game against Grulla in Week 1.
“It’s good,” he said. “They need somebody to let them know besides me that they aren’t very good right now. They can be good. We have a lot of potential to be good. There were some bright spots.”
The Tarpons coach hoped his team took the loss, despite being a scrimmage, to heart.
“We’re better than that,” Stumbaugh said. “We have to find some heart and take some things personal. If they don’t take that personally, then there’s something wrong.
“We’re going to find a way to get it right.”
NEW SEASON, SAME OPPONENTS
Rivera and Los Fresnos face some familiar foes early this season in non-district play.
The Raiders and the Falcons face the same teams during their first three games, as they did a year ago, and each of them reached the postseason last year.
Los Fresnos lost to Edinburg North after leading by 19 points and beat Edcouch-Elsa and PSJA North in back-to-back weeks to start the season. The Falcons eventually won a piece of the District 32-6A crown and reach the third round of the playoffs.
Rivera lost to Weslaco East, Edinburg North and Sharyland High in consecutive weeks, and started the season 0-5. The Raiders then won the next seven straight games to earn a share of the 32-6A title and reach the third round in the postseason.
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.