EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela went end-to-end as the No. 1 team in the RGVSports.com top 10 poll last season. The SaberCats will have another chance to accomplish the feat as they start the 2022 campaign again as the top dog in the Rio Grande Valley.
The 2021 season was business as usual for Edinburg Vela. The SaberCats completed an undefeated run through the regular season, won the District 31-6A championship and qualified for the regional semifinal round of the playoffs for the fifth time in the program’s 10-year history.
After the latest UIL realignment, in which the SaberCats were reclassified to the 5A level in District 15-5A DI, Vela is confident this is the year it can advance past the third round of the playoffs under sixth-year head coach John Campbell.
“I think it’s good for the program. We’ve been battling, trying to get past that third round for a while, and I think bumping down to 5A will help us get to it,” senior receiver Carlos Tamez said. “We’re not doubting the competition, there’s still going to be battles, but we have one step ahead and I think we’ll be able to surpass that third round this year.”
| Edinburg Vela’s Carlos Tamez |
Vela returns six starters from the 12-1, 8-0 squad a season ago that rolled out the best defense in the Valley in yards allowed per game. Senior defensive lineman Jake Dufner is a force up front for the SaberCats, utilizing a combination of speed, strength and technique to beat blocks and live in the backfield.
“Every year, I think Vela is always undersized, but we always come out with speed. We’re always faster than everybody, we’re always quicker than everybody,” Dufner said. “Yes, we might be undersized, but we can get it done with our speed.”
Along with senior safety Justin Navarro, who will see time at receiver this year as one of the team’s best athletes, Vela’s defense can still be dominant with those two helping lead the way.
Offensively, the SaberCats lost their workhorse back/receiver PJ Rivera to graduation, which opens the door for running back Jamal Polley. The junior ball carrier showed signs of promise during his first year of varsity ball with 184 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries.
Vela will have a new quarterback this season, but Tamez and Navarro should help ease the move for the SaberCats’ passer. Tamez finished with 411 yards and eight touchdowns on 17 receptions.
“We got some young guys battling for the spot right now. They’re all phenomenal, they’re all doing their part, working hard and getting us the ball,” Tamez said. “It’s going to work out whoever they pick, and each one is going to have a spot on the team working differently.”
The SaberCats kick off against crosstown rival Edinburg North at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium before rounding out non-district against Edinburg High. Then, Vela opens district play with back-to-back blockbuster games against fellow district title contenders McAllen Memorial in Week 3 and PSJA North in Week 4.