BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
Edinburg North has had to overcome a lot of issues at quarterback this year.
Last week was no different, as sophomore quarterback Izaiah Rangel suffered an injury in the opening moments of the Cougars’ game against the Edinburg High Bobcats on Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium.
Rangel was sidelined for the rest of the game, and the Cougars’ game plan was thrown into disarray.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t something we planned for,” North coach Rene Saenz said. “Max is a great kid. He is able to do the things we need to do to run the offense. It’s just a matter of us finding a rhythm.”
The Cougars could not find that rhythm and fell to the Bobcats 30-14. With the loss, the Cougars dropped to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in District 31-6A.
Edinburg North is tied with PSJA North and PSJA Memorial in the district standings. The three teams are likely battling for one playoff spot.
“All year that has been the thing,” Saenz said. “Let’s get into what we call the third season. You have the preseason, then you have district, and then the postseason. It’s everybody’s goal to make it to the postseason. A lot of it is on us. If we are going to be in it, it’s going to be on our shoulders.”
Rangel is expected to be good to go for the Cougars’ game against the Wolverines at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
“They are a good club,” Saenz said. “Coach Uribe has done a good job. We are looking forward to it. It’s going to be a big challenge.”
Rangel has continued to improve at the position.
With slight deviations, all of his major statistics have steadily improved since he took over the role in Week 3.
His progression, combined with the continued progression of junior running back Cristian Flores, gives the Cougars’ fans plenty of reason for optimism.
But there may be another reason in the works. Rangel took over at QB after junior Frank Zuniga suffered a shoulder injury. Zuniga has been out ever since but may have a small chance of returning to the field this season.
“Frankie was evaluated again last week,” Saenz said. “The doctor wanted to go another week or two. I believe he has another appointment at the end of this week.”
Zuniga still ranks seventh among quarterbacks in District 31-6A with 398 passing yards. He did that in less than three games, and with a 71 completion percentage.
“I have never seen a kid more fired up and ready to come back and help in any way possible,” Saenz said. “To get him back would be a big boost. If anything, it is more of a mental boost than it is physical. Frankie is just one of those kids. Everybody sees it: he is there early in the morning, he is there in the afternoon, and he is the last one to leave. Just the fact that there is a chance that he can make it back would be great.”