By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
5. Is St. Joseph Academy in trouble?
A week after St. Joseph Academy scored 48 points and totaled 619 yards of offense, but ended up losing late in the fourth quarter to Rio Hondo, the Bloodhounds fell behind 17-6 at halftime against Raymondville and managed just six points and two fumbles in the fourth quarter stopped other potential scoring drives as they dropped to 1-3 on the season. Coming into the season, St. Joseph had high expectations with senior quarterback Kai Money returning among some key players. At times, the offense has looked spectacular, but at other times, it’s hurt itself with turnovers preventing it from reaching the end zone with consistency. On the other side of the ball, the defense has stepped up at times, but it has struggled at times as well. After giving up 38 points in a loss to Grulla, the unit rebounded and allowed just eight points against Lyford in Week 2. After St. Joseph gave up 52 points against Rio Hondo surrendering a 27-0 lead, the defense stiffened allowing just 17 points against Raymondville with a shutout in the second half. St. Joseph needs to find itself and play a complete game, something that it hasn’t done yet this season.
4. The injury bug is killing the Tarpons
Another week, allegedly another quarterback has been hurt in Port Isabel. After the Tarpons lost their starting quarterback, Cesar Aguilera, late in Week 1, Jeremy Martinez, the Port Isabel backup quarterback was injured during its second game in Week 3. In Week 4, the Tarpons apparently lost another quarterback among the three players that took snaps during the 45-13 loss to La Feria. This season Port Isabel (1-2) is in the process of learning a new offensive system under new head coach Jaime Infante, so with another quarterback knocked out in the early season, it’s an added setback for a team that’s already trying to learn a new scheme in Infante’s first season at the helm. As the Tarpons look to find its way offensively, it doesn’t get any easier in Week 5. Port Isabel plays host to St. Joseph who is also trying to find its way in the early part of the season. The rivalry game will surely be quite the test for both squads to get back on track and find some consistency.
3. Is Los Fresnos for real? We’re about to find out.
After dismantling McAllen High 45-6 at home in Week 3, Los Fresnos kept up its winning ways with a 24-7 road victory over McAllen Memorial. For those who thought that the Falcons couldn’t duplicate a return trip to the third round of the postseason this season, Los Fresnos seems its certainly has the talent and drive to play among the Rio Grande Valley’s best teams and advance deep within the playoffs once again. The Falcons are getting it done on both sides of the ball, scoring 30 points and averaging 397 yards per game and allowing just 12 points and 266 yards — the best in District 32-6A. Charles Chapa is leading Los Fresnos’ offensive output with 428 yards passing and three touchdowns and has run for 167 yards and three more scores. The Falcons are on a roll and seem to be getting better every week and seem to be where they want to be as district play is set to begin. Los Fresnos will certain get another test on the road opening up against San Benito on Friday night, but if it continues to play at this level, District 32-6A opponents should be ready for a tough night.
2. District 32-6A will be a gauntlet once again
Los Fresnos proved last week with an impressive 24-7 road victory over McAllen Memorial that it intends to be in the mix of a tough District 32-6A. Last season, after a tough road throughout district play ended with all four playoff teams, Harlingen High, San Benito, Los Fresnos and Weslaco East reaching at least the second round of the playoffs, it’s certain to be no easier this year. All four teams will look to fight for the top spot, but don’t discount Hanna, Weslaco High, Harlingen South or Rivera trying to steal one of those spots, it wouldn’t be a surprise in the least. Top to bottom, District 32-6A is tough and it aims to live up to its gauntlet reputation from last season. This week district play begins and most importantly each team wants to start out with a win and at the top rather than coming up from behind. After this week, we’ll get a good look at what it could be and what it could become over the next seven weeks to crown a champion (or a few) and who survives and advances to the postseason. Regardless of how it turns out, it should be a wild ride all season long.
1. District 32-5A may be Lopez’s to win, but a few other teams will have their say first
Through three games this season, Lopez is unbeaten and is the top District 32-5A ranked team in offense and defense. The Lobos average 406 yards and more than 41 points per game and allow just 167 yards and less than 15 points. With its standing heading into district play, is Lopez the team to beat? Or have the Lobos yet to face a challenge like they will against Brownsville Veterans Memorial, Mercedes or Edcouch-Elsa, to name a few? Much like District 32-6A, District 32-5A looks to be a battle from beginning to end among the previously mentioned four teams and Pace, Donna High, Donna North and Porter looking to make some noise as well. The Chargers, the defending champions (along with Mercedes), aren’t willing to part with their crown just yet. Brownsville Veterans wants even more this year after a shared title and a postseason berth that ended to soon last season. The Chargers, with its dynamic duo of Gustavo Vasquez and Abel Martinez, will face Lopez during Week 8 and it could mean a whole lot before its all said and done on the way to the District 32-5A title.
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.