By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
It doesn’t get any easier for Lopez this week.
The Lobos find themselves with another tough District 32-5A matchup against Mercedes in Week 9 in The Brownsville Herald’s Game of the Week at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial handed the Lobos (5-2, 3-1) their first district loss last week and Lopez will look to regroup against the Tigers (4-3, 4-0), who are unbeaten in district play following a 27-12 win over Edcouch-Elsa a week ago.
Friday’s game will also have district implications, as a Lopez win would create a tie atop the standings. If Brownsville Veterans defeats Porter (tonight), a three-way deadlock could present itself, as all teams will sport 4-1 records in 32-5A.
Lopez has focused on the things that tore it down against the Chargers in practice this week.
“That’s what we took from the last game. Our inability to execute in some phases of the game and keep our composure when adversity stuck,” Lopez coach Jason Starkey said. “We’ve talked about that and challenged them to work on those areas and I’m pleased with the way the team has responded.”
Mercedes is on a roll, but its focus is just the next game on the schedule.
“We use that 1-0 mentality. We want to go 1-0 every week and focus on the game at hand,” Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. said. “We try not to look forward, but try not to look back either. We stay focused on what’s in front of us.
“Lopez is a good football team. They present a lot of challenges for us, so we have to be ready to play some good football.”
Both teams are very good defensively. Lopez leads the district allowing just 226 yards and 12 points per game.
“They are solid on defense,” Adame said. “They’re sound in what they do, they have an aggressive style of defense. They do a lot of things well, so we’re trying to prepare for all aspects.”
Mercedes is just as good, allowing 259 yards and fewer than 15 points.
“They bring a lot of pressure defensively,” Starkey said. “Coach Adame does an outstanding job with his three-down defensive scheme and a lot of things we try to do with our defense. They hang their hat on creating turnovers.
“Our ability to counter that with our offense and defense will be key for us in this game.”
With a stingy defense on both sidelines, the offense that capitalizes on its opportunities could determine the outcome.
The Lobos will try to run the ball with their top back, Ivan Olivo, who is third in district rankings with 781 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. The Tigers will counter with a passing game led by quarterback Mark Ledesma, who has 652 yards and six touchdowns through the air while completing better than 70 percent of his attempts.
Points could be at a premium and the game could come down to the wire if the both defenses hold steady.
“Every game is a battle in 32-5A,” Adame said. “We have to take it one play at a time. Our goal is to win the play and if we win enough plays we can hopefully come out on top. We’re going to have to grind this out. Two good football programs going at it and it’s going to be a challenge.”
Lopez is ready for another chance to inch toward a possible crown in District 32-5A.
“We haven’t played our best football yet, we want to be better than we were yesterday,” Starkey said. “It’s a great opportunity for our ball club to play another big game in our stadium in front of a packed Brownsville crowd and see how we respond after not overcoming adversity that we created last week.”
Expect a defensive battle against the top two defensive teams in district where the turnover battle could be a factor. The offense that takes advantage of those opportunities should come out on top. PREDICTION: Mercedes 23, Lopez 21
Thursday’s Game
District 32-5A
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL AT PORTER
WHEN: 7 p.m., Thursday
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium
RECORDS: Brownsville Veteran Memorial (5-2, 3-1); Porter (0-7, 0-4)
GAME NOTES: Brownsville Veterans Memorial defeated Lopez 21-7 in Week 8. … The Chargers’ offense is the second best in district with an average of 340 yards and 27 points per game. Gustavo Vasquez leads the district with 999 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. … The Brownsville Veterans’ defense has steadily improved this season and allows 282 yards and 19 points per game. … Porter lost to Donna High 42-12 on the road in Week 8. … The Cowboys’ offense is led by running back Johnathan Gonzalez who is second behind Vasquez with 933 yards and six touchdowns. The unit averages 299 yards, but less than 13 points per game. … The Porter defense allows 364 yards and nearly 37 points per game. … Brownsville Veterans is coming off two big wins, but the Chargers won’t overlook Porter. The Cowboys have moved the ball, but haven’t taken advantage of scoring opportunities this season. Brownsville Veterans should keep its winning streak going.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 34, Porter 14
— Andrew Crum
Friday’s Games
District 32-6A
HANNA AT SAN BENITO
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE: Bobby Morrow Stadium, San Benito
RECORDS: Hanna (3-4, 2-2); San Benito (7-0, 4-0)
GAME NOTES: Hanna was nipped by Los Fresnos 34-31 in Week 8. … The Golden Eagles’ offense is led by the top rusher in the district, Jaime Gonzalez. The senior running back has 1,068 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. The unit averages 285 yards and scores 20 points per game. … The Hanna defense allows 300 yards and less than 26 points per game, but will have a tough task against the top offense in district. … San Benito shutout Harlingen South 28-0 on the road in Week 8. … The Greyhounds’ offense averages 405 yards and 41 points per game. Quarterback Erick Retta is the top passer in district with 1,296 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing better than 68 percent of his pass attempts. … The San Benito defense is stingy too, allowing just 251 yards and 15 points per game. … The Eagles won’t have it easy on both sides of the ball, but stayed with Los Fresnos until late last week. San Benito has been rolling and it will take a good effort to knock them down.
PREDICTION: San Benito 35, Hanna 24
— Andrew Crum
District 32-6A
LOS FRESNOS AT HARLINGEN HIGH
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE: Boggus Stadium, Harlingen
RECORDS: Los Fresnos (4-3, 2-2); Harlingen High (5-2, 4-0)
GAME NOTES: Los Fresnos held off Hanna 34-31 in Week 8. … The Falcons’ offense is led by dual-threat quarterback Mark Mata, who has 1,024 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and has 700 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. The unit is the second best in the distrit at 338 yards and just under 30 points per game. … The Los Fresnos defense allows 337 yards and less than 27 points per game. … Harlingen High defeated Weslaco East 24-10 on the road in Week 8. … The Cardinals’ offense averages 315 yards and less than 27 points per game. Quarterback Jesse Castro is the second best passer in district with 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns to a handful of targets. … The Harlingen High defense allows just 275 yards and less than 18 points per game. … This always seems like a tight game with plenty on the line when these teams meet. The Cardinals get a small edge with a slightly better defense and their playing at home.
PREDICTION: Harlingen High 17, Los Fresnos 14
— Andrew Crum
District 32-5A
PACE AT EDCOUCH-ELSA
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE: Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium, Elsa
RECORDS: Pace (2-5, 2-2); Edcouch-Elsa (4-3, 2-2)
GAME NOTES: This game has postseason bearing in 32-5A. These two teams are tied for fourth in district. Mercedes is the leader at 4-0, and Lopez and Brownsville Veterans Memorial are each 3-1. … Pace beat Edcouch-Elsa last year by a field goal. … The Yellowjackets are coming off a 27-12 loss at Mercedes in which their offense struggled mightily. Fortunately for them, Pace’s defense is next-to-last in the district, allowing 32.7 points on 369.7 yards per game. And even despite last week’s subpar effort, Edcouch-Elsa remains the district’s top offense, averaging 35.9 points on 433.4 yards per game. … Pace is led by QB Randy Aguilar. Aguilar has completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns, but has also thrown 10 interceptions. … The district’s top three receivers will be on showcase in this one. E-E’s J.J. Flores has 621 yards and 11 touchdowns and is the district’s top receiver, followed by Pace’s Gabriel Zapata (520, 5) and E-E’s A.J. Rodriguez (408, 6). … Edcouch-Elsa’s defense has struggled of late. The Yellowjackets have given up 77 points in their last two games.
PREDICTION: Edcouch-Elsa 42, Pace 21
— Dennis Silva II
District 16-4A Division II
PROGRESO AT PORT ISABEL
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE: Tarpon Stadium
RECORDS: Progreso (1-5, 0-2); Port Isabel (6-1, 1-1)
GAME NOTES: This will be the third district game for each team. Progreso is coming off last Friday’s 42-7 loss at home against Raymondville while Port Isabel is coming off a 38-21 victory at Orange Grove the same night. That victory was a solid bounce-back win for the Tarpons, who lost 21-7 at home to district rival Rio Hondo on Oct. 7 in the two teams’ conference opener … When the Red Ants and Tarpons played last year at Tarpon Stadium, Port Isabel won 33-13 … According to Tarponfever.net, Port Isabel holds a 30-0 all-time series record against the Red Ants … Senior RB Omar SIlva continues to lead the Tarpons offensively, rushing for 1,293 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season while averaging 10.0 yards per carry. Last week against Orange Grove, Silva rushed 29 times for 305 yards and four TDs … Progreso’s lone victory this season came on Sept. 30 when the Red Ants won at home 57-0 against neighboring Santa Maria … Individual stats for Progreso’s offensive leaders were not immediately available … After Friday, district action continues for both teams on Oct. 28 as Progreso plays host to West Oso and Port Isabel will be at home against Raymondville.
PREDICTION: Port Isabel 35, Progreso 7
— Roy Hess
TAPPS Division I District 2
ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY AT SAN ANTONIO CENTRAL CATHOLIC
WHEN: 7 p.m., Friday
WHERE: Bob Benson 66 Stadium
RECORDS: SJA (6-1, 0-0); SA Central Catholic (2-5. 0-0)
GAME NOTES: This is the TAPPS district opener for both teams. This year SJA’s district is a four-team district with the other three schools located in San Antonio … SJA is coming off last Friday’s 41-7 triumph at home against Marine Military Academy. Central Catholic was open last week and is coming off a 40-13 loss at Houston St. Thomas on Oct. 7 … Central Catholic defeated SJA 34-31 in last year’s matchup in San Antonio … SJA’s last win against the Buttons came in 2013 when the Bloodhounds prevailed 24-21 at Canales Field … Offensive leaders for SJA include QB Kai Money (896 yards passing, 12 TDs), RB Mario Garcia (964 yards rushing, 13 TDs) and WR Bernie de la Garza (31 receptions, 497 yards, seven TDs). Also, Money has rushed for 913 yards with 13 TDs … Central Catholic’s offensive leaders include QB Jacob Nava (1,048 yards passing, eight TDs), RB Caleb Salinas (730 yards rushing, nine TDs) and WR Julian Oviedo (23 receptions, 444 yards, three TDs). The Buttons have three receivers with 20 or more catches … District action continues next week for both teams. The Buttons play at San Antonio Antonian Oct. 28 and the Bloodhounds will be at San Antonio St. Anthony’s on Oct. 29.
PREDICTION: SJA 28, San Antonio Central Catholic 24
— Roy Hess
Saturday’s Game
District 32-6A
WESLACO EAST AT RIVERA
WHEN: 7 p.m., Saturday
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium
RECORDS: Weslaco East (3-4, 1-3); Rivera (1-6, 0-4)
GAME NOTES: Weslaco East lost to Harlingen High 24-10 in Week 8. … The Wildcats’ offense averages 318 yards and 20 points per game. Joshua Pedraza and Fabian Castro lead the rushing attack with 1,160 yards and 12 touchdowns combined. … The Weslaco East defense allows 305 yards and less than 20 points per game. … Rivera lost to Weslaco High 45-0 in Week 8. … The Raiders’ offense averages 200 yards and 11 points per game. Running back Jaden Endsley has 332 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Nicholas Blanco has thrown for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the season. … The Rivera defense allows 364 yards and 43 points per game. … Rivera has struggled this season and lost six straight games and Weslaco East has fallen back in the standings after just one win in four district games.
PREDICTION: Weslaco East 28, Rivera 14
— Andrew Crum