BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
As emotionally exhilarating as Mercedes’ 21-20 win over Weslaco High was on Friday, the Tigers were still nursing a slew of injuries to important pieces on both sides of the ball.
Senior running back Matt Gracia, who ran for 74 yards on 13 carries in the Weslaco High win, was unable to play on the Tigers’ game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. Gracia was on crutches after the game.
“Matt sprained an ankle, and we were waiting until the next morning to see if it would swell up overnight,” Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. said. “Thankfully, he didn’t swell up as much as our trainer anticipated. He was in a walking boot over the weekend, but he’s out of it now. We’re going to rest him this week of practice, but we think he’ll be ready to practice next Monday.”
The Tigers have been shorthanded at linebacker since their season opener against Corpus Christi Calallen on Sept. 1. Not only did Adame Jr.’s son, outside linebacker Roger Adame III, go down to injury, but the Tigers also lost their other starting outside linebacker in senior Juan Cornejo. Senior middle linebacker Bryan Smith also missed the Weslaco High game with a sprained left knee.
“Juan went down on the first drive of the Calallen game,” Adame Jr. said. “He was at the doctor’s this (Tuesday) morning, and it looks like he’ll be cleared for practice soon. Bryan looks good, too. He’s got his mobility back.”
Adame Jr. anticipates Gracia, Cornejo and Smith will be ready to go for Mercedes’ district opener versus Donna High on Sept. 29.