By ROY HESS | The Brownsville Herald
Brownsville Veterans Memorial vs. Pace is a football game the city has been waiting for all season.
It happens at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Sams Memorial Stadium as the Chargers (6-2 overall, 5-2 district) go against the Vikings (6-2, 6-1) in a District 16-5A Division I matchup.
The Chargers will be the home team.
With just one loss in district, Pace already has clinched a playoff spot. With two district defeats, Brownsville Veterans needs a win Friday to secure a berth in the postseason.
It’s a little unusual that both teams are coming off district losses. Pace was outscored by undefeated district leader Mission Veterans 48-35 last Saturday at Sams, while Brownsville Veterans suffered a 41-38 double-overtime setback at PSJA Southwest last Thursday.
Prior to this week, Pace led the district in defense but is now second (266 yards allowed per game) as the Vikings had trouble containing Patriots quarterback Landry Gilpin, who passed for 305 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 186 yards and two more scores.
Pace averages 280.9 yards per game on offense. Brownsville Veterans averages 339.1 yards on offense and yields 313.9 yards on defense.
When asked about the key to success for his team against the Chargers, Pace coach Danny Pardo said it is defense.
“We just have to make sure we play better defense than we did last week,” Pardo said. “Our offense has been playing pretty well.”
The Vikings boast playmakers in QB Jose Banda (779 yards passing with 10 TDs and 544 yards rushing with seven TDs) along with wide receiver/running back Brandon Zapata (563 yards rushing with six TDs and 228 yards receiving with two TDs), among others.
The Chargers are led by QB Liam Longoria (1,290 yards passing, 14 TDs) and have a big-play receiver in Elijah Masten (35 receptions, 470 yards, nine TDs).
“There are three keys for our team versus Pace,” Chargers coach David Cantu said. “First, we must establish an effective run game. Second, we need to keep QB Banda and WR/RB Zapata in check. Finally, we need to have solid special team play.”
Pardo said his team is pretty much healthy, while Cantu said the Chargers have some injured players, including a couple from the defense who are likely to miss the game. The Chargers already are without standout running back Mauricio Garza (broken collarbone).
The Pace-Brownsville Veterans matchup is not the only game of importance on the schedule this week for Brownsville-area teams.
Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Hanna (6-1, 3-0) can clinch at least a share of the District 32-6A championship with a win at Los Fresnos (3-5, 1-2). The Golden Eagles took a big step toward the 32-6A title by winning 30-0 at San Benito (4-4, 2-1) last Friday.
Hanna leads 32-6A in offense by averaging 439 yards per game and in defense by allowing 237 yards per outing.
The other game involving a 32-6A team from Brownsville this week has Rivera (0-8, 0-3) playing host to San Benito at 7 p.m. today at Sams.
Also at 7 p.m. today, it’s Lopez (2-6, 1-6) at PSJA Memorial (2-6, 2-5) in a 16-5A Division I matchup.
Another 16-5A Division I game this week has Donna High (5-3, 4-3) playing Porter (1-7, 0-7) at Sams at 2 p.m. Saturday.
In District 16-4A Division II action, Port Isabel (4-4, 1-1) plays at home at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Rio Hondo (7-1, 1-1).
St. Joseph Academy is open this week.