DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

During last week’s 40-6 setback at Los Fresnos, Edcouch-Elsa was without defensive starters Julio Contreras, Elias Munoz, Adrian Rodriguez, and Victor Valdez, and running back Adrian Cardoza. After the first quarter, starting receivers Andrew Segura (shoulder) and A.J. Rodriguez (foot) left the game because of injury.

Pain has been a theme for the Yellowjackets the first three weeks of the season. It’s unknown whether the team’s health will be better by Friday’s game at Edinburg North. Coach Joe Marichalar said all of the injured ‘Jackets are “day to day.”

“We don’t want to go the excuse route,” Marichalar said. “We don’t want to downgrade our backups. We feel confident in those guys, but they’re still learning the situation through reps. And you don’t get that at practice, you get it in game time.”

Contreras, Munoz and Cardoza missed E-E’s Week 1 win over McAllen Rowe. Marichalar has found some capable fill-ins, like defensive end Seth Garcia and linebacker Miguel Morones, but a formidable non-district schedule featuring two of three Class 6A teams that made the playoffs last year is daunting, particularly for inexperienced players.

Marichalar said if the ailing players are cleared to play Friday, they will play, even if a bye next week before the start of district play might allow more time to heal.

“It’s the (Class) 6A wave, and we schedule tough teams for a reason,” Marichalar said. “I want to test our resiliency, character and heart during non-district, and that’s what I want to see. I want us to go out there and play ‘Jacket football.

“No matter whoever’s out there, we want to get something out of it.”

WANTED: NON-DISTRICT GAME

Last year, inclement weather wiped out Donna High’s third and final non-district game against Brownsville Hanna. That meant the Redskins went three weeks between games.

“It hurt our timing and routine,” Redskins coach Ramiro Leal said. “You want to keep playing consistently. Hitting ourselves is not the same thing as hitting someone else, and what ended up happening last year is we regressed. By the time we caught up, other teams were ahead of us.”

So, given the choice of playing Thursday or Saturday against Hanna this season, Leal chose Thursday for a better chance of getting the game in.

“We planned this out to where maybe we can avoid the bad weather,” Leal said. “Both of us (Donna and Hanna) felt the effects of the lay-off between games last year. We lost to PSJA Southwest to open district, and they lost big to San Benito.”

Playing the game Thursday allows the two teams to re-schedule if necessary. They have Friday and Saturday as options, whereas last season’s Saturday game would have forced the teams to make it up the following week, which Donna did not want to do because it was a bye.

HOME AGAIN

Everything is in motion for Mercedes to debut its new 6,500-seat stadium Friday with the Tigers hosting La Feria.

Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. said he was told his team could practice on the new turf field today, with a grand opening for the stadium set for Thursday.

“They got done what needed to get done,” Adame said. “The track just needs striping, but it’s down. I think we’re ready to go.”

Adame said the city and school board had yet to give their approval, but that was expected to come late Tuesday or early this morning.

The Tigers, who played on the Mercedes Livestock Show grounds the last 40-plus years, will play their home opener after starting 0-2 on the road, the latest a six-point setback at McAllen Rowe in double overtime.

“We want to continue putting drives together and continue taking care of the ball like we have,” said Adame, whose team has no giveaways. “Defensively, we want to see the same thing, flying to the ball, physicality and giving our offense more opportunities.”

Adame said sophomore quarterback Zach Gomez improved considerably from Week 1 to Week 2, particularly in the passing game and management of the offense.

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DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

DONNA — Ball control and execution determined the 82nd chapter Friday night between Weslaco High and Donna High. That’s nothing new.

Something else familiar these days is the Panthers’ dominance in the series. Behind two big takeaways, including one that resulted in a touchdown, Weslaco High ran away with its third straight win over Donna High 28-13 at Bennie La Prade Stadium.

Ahead 14-13 late in the third quarter, Weslaco (2-0) didn’t need much more time to build separation. Junior linebacker Jordan Nichols’ 50-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown on Donna’s ensuing drive handed the Panthers a 21-13 lead they would only build upon.

“We knew we could score,” said Nichols, who also had a big interception during last week’s win at Harlingen South. “We just had to cause turnovers and not give up the big play, and that’s exactly what we did.”

The Panthers’ defense also collected a key interception by senior Ulises Hernandez in the end zone late during the first half as the Redskins were driving into Panther territory to potentially add to what was then a 13-7 advantage.

“We have a chance to go up 20-13 there at halftime, or at worst get a field goal, and we blew it,” Donna High coach Ramiro Leal said. “But that fumble recovery was the real dagger. We knew it was all about field position from that point. It just didn’t bounce our way.”

The Redskins (0-2) hold a 46-32-4 all-time edge in a series that dates back to the 1920s. The majority of the contests have been settled like Friday’s, with little margin for error.

Weslaco High coach Tony Villarreal wanted more consistency from his offense after it sputtered during the second half against Harlingen South in Week 1. He got it. The Panthers produced 243 yards, all on the ground, for 6.1 yards per carry.

But it was the defense that sealed the deal.

“I learned I have a pretty good middle linebacker,” Villarreal boasted of Nichols. “That’s the second time this season he makes a big play. Our defense came up big, and our offense came up big.”

The Redskins totaled 276 yards, but just 5.3 yards per play. Their offense was run exclusively through running back Amonte Bowen (176 rushing yards, two TDs) and quarterback Edward Dougherty (84 rushing yards).

Meanwhile, nine players carried the ball for Weslaco, and four found the end zone.

“They executed and we didn’t execute,” said Leal, who fell to 0-3 against Weslaco. “I really thought we had a good chance at this one. We’ve just got to get better.”

BEING AWARE

Donna, Mission and PSJA independent school districts are partnering together for Childhood Cancer Awareness month, a campaign engineered by Maritza Esqueda, co-founder of the local nonprofit Faith, Family, and Friends Foundation.

Every Friday this month, all teams will sport a gold wrist band during games to recognize childhood cancer awareness. Friday, Donna honored Jesse Mena, a young man who lost his battle with cancer at 10 years old earlier this year.

Weslaco and Donna cancer survivors, and individuals who lost a kid to cancer, were recognized prior to Friday’s game in Donna.

UP NEXT

Donna High hosts Brownsville Hanna at 7 Thursday night for its last non-district game.

Weslaco High travels to the Coastal Bend to face off against Corpus Christi Ray at 7:30 Friday night.

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DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

It didn’t need it, but there is extra flair to the latest chapter of the Weslaco High-Donna High storybook.

For the first time since 2011, Fox Sports Southwest is in the Valley for its Dairy Queen Big Game of the Week, which is Friday’s 82nd edition of the Panthers-Redskins rivalry at 7 at Bennie La Prade Stadium. The game will lead Fox Sports Southwest’s comprehensive high school football programming that begins at 7 tonight and includes six consecutive hours of live updates and highlights from games across the state.

For the local teams involved, that means more pep rallies, more meetings, more everything for coaches Tony Villarreal, of Weslaco, and Ramiro Leal, of Donna.

“You always have a difficult Friday night game as it is,” Villarreal said. “You have a pep rally and the dynamics of a regular game, but the DQ state game takes over the situation. They want to know your schedules, when you get off the field each day, and they’re in it in every facet.

“They talk to the cheerleaders, the principal, there’s meals at Dairy Queen. As a coach, you kind of give up and they just take over.”

Villarreal should know. He was involved the last time Fox Sports Southwest brought its DQ Game of the Week to the Valley, when his Panthers faced off against San Benito four years ago.

“You see these games on Fox and it’s neat,” Villarreal said. “Now I understand what it takes. You have everyone being interviewed, an extra pep rally or two. They have all kinds of stuff. It’s very thorough.”

And intense. On Wednesday, for instance, Leal had meetings with the Donna ISD superintendent and police chief, planning pregame and halftime festivities. He’s been in so many meetings, Leal said, that his assistant coaches have run practice for much of the week.

“It’s like we’re in the fourth round of the playoffs,” Leal said. “That’s how much hype there is. This is amplified 10-fold. But, among us a team, there’s no discussion about Fox Sports Southwest or all the hoopla. I tell them it’s just one game. This is not going to make us or break us. It’s about having a big picture mentality.”

Off the field, it’s madness. On it, it’s a rowdy mess of history.

Weslaco High vs. Donna High is arguably the best rivalry in the Valley. The tussle between the neighboring cities dates back to the 1920s, with the Redskins holding a 46-31-4 all-time edge.

The Panthers, however, have won the last two meetings. Leal said that’s a series first for Donna, which went 27 years without losing consecutive meetings to Weslaco.

“They’re very sound all the way across and they have the depth,” said Leal, in his third year at the helm of Donna. “They rotate in a ton of kids, and we’re finally starting to see the hurt with the split of the two schools (with Donna North). It’s no excuse, but that’s the way it is. We don’t want to get in a long game. Keep it tight and control the ball. They have a lot of kids and a lot of talent. It will come down to execution and ball control.”

Villarreal, in his 11th year at Weslaco, said his team is healthy, and that is a nice change from this time last year. Leal said his team is also healthy, aside from senior running back Paul Guerra, who will be held out a second straight week because of a back injury, but only for precautionary measures.

The Panthers are coming off a 28-24 win at Harlingen South and the Redskins are coming off a 49-42 defeat at Brownsville Veterans Memorial. Leal would like to see better attention to detail defensively, and Villarreal wants more consistency sustaining drives offensively.

“To put all your eggs in one basket and act like it’s life or death, it’s not,” Villarreal said. “Win or lose, we just have to be ready to play again next week. It’s a long season and it’s not just about one game. Old-timers will kill me for saying that, but that’s the way it is. I deal with reality.”

NOTES: Donna, Mission and PSJA independent school districts are partnering together for Childhood Cancer Awareness month, a campaign engineered by Maritza Esqueda, co-founder of the local nonprofit Faith, Family, and Friends Foundation. Every Friday this month, all teams will sport a gold wrist band during games to recognize childhood cancer awareness. Tonight, Donna will honor Jesse Mena, a young man who lost his battle with cancer at 10 years old earlier this year. Any Weslaco or Donna cancer survivor, or individual who has lost a kid to cancer, will be recognized prior to tonight’s game between Weslaco High and Donna High in Donna.

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DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

PHARR — It’s quite a ride La Joya Palmview has been on, and now it has a headliner in Joel Pina.

After a program-best 2014 that resulted in their first playoff appearance and win, the Lobos have kept the momentum going. Behind Pina, a junior running back who has emerged out of nowhere, Palmview toppled PSJA Southwest 50-26 on Thursday at PSJA ISD Stadium, improving to 2-0.

“We wanted to make a statement that we’re here to play ball,” Palmview coach Margarito Requenez Jr. said. “We know they’re a tough team and we just had to execute. I loved what I saw tonight.”

The Lobos produced 12.9 yards per carry and 504 rushing yards, 261 coming from Pina. Pina scored four touchdowns, and in two games this season he has 498 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

“The holes were there and I took advantage,” Pina said. “I’m making the right cuts, I’m making the right reads. All the work I’ve put in, it’s paying off.

“The No. 1 thing on our mind is doing something special. Last year was last year. This year is a new year and we’re just trying to do something with it.”

PSJA Southwest (1-1) trailed 14-7 early in the second quarter and had an opportunity to cut into it. But Hugo Pena missed a 32-yard field goal, and two plays later Pina broke a 76-yard run that was essentially the backbreaker.

“I always knew he was special,” Requenez said of Pina. “It was just about letting him loose. We’re just letting him play football.”

The Lobos got contributions from everywhere. Misal Guerra had 144 rushing yards, and Jorge Flores, Miguel Gama and Arturo Gutierrez, a lineman, also found the end zone.

“We’re sticking to our running game,” Gutierrez said. “We know what works for us. Whoever is in the backfield, they do whatever it takes to score. It’s a lot of fun.”

It was enough to overcome a strong night by Southwest senior running back Jesus Acosta, who had 200 yards and four touchdowns. But other than quarterback Darren Estrada, who had 106 yards on six carries, Acosta did not have enough help in a game Southwest coach Jesus Reyes said would be a good test of where his team stands.

“I saw we need a lot of work,” Reyes said. “But we had a great opponent, and I wouldn’t doubt if they came out district champs (in 30-6A). We had a great opportunity playing against an opponent that will get us ready for teams like Donna, Mercedes and Edcouch-Elsa in our district, and they just executed real well.”

POSITIVE SIGNS

Reyes said he liked what he saw from his team in play-action offense, particularly with Estrada’s ability to make plays on the run.

Estrada, who hasn’t played quarterback since the eighth grade, consistently broke contain.

“He now knows he can run it, and he’s a real threat,” Reyes said. “That confidence will go a long way.”

TOUGH COVER

Southwest totaled 442 yards, and for good reason. Requenez said the Javelinas are a difficult cover with their nasty slot-T offense.

“When we needed the stops, we got them,” Requenez said. “You have to give them credit. That’s a hard team to prepare for on a short week. They do all the multiple formations and shifting. We just tried our best.”

UP NEXT

PSJA Southwest hosts Grulla at 7 Thursday night in the Javelinas’ final non-district game of the season.

La Joya Palmview hosts Rio Grande City at 7:30 Friday night.

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DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

DONNA — In Year 2 of varsity football, Donna North is still looking for the right pieces.

There is a clear identity coach Tommy Sauceda desires: a punishing defense supported by a clock-chewing running game that wears down opponents. While still evaluating who fits where and who can do what, Sauceda knows that senior Mark Ochoa is an integral part of what he wants his program to be about.

“Mark fits the mold of what we want to do defensively,” Sauceda said. “Mark’s a guy who makes plays, no matter where he’s at. He loves to play football, and the sky’s the limit for him.”

Ochoa is a versatile, athletic defensive back in the Chiefs’ 3-4 defense, playing strong safety this season after playing cornerback last year. He was one of the team leaders in tackles last season, and in Thursday’s 34-23 defeat against La Feria in Week 1 he compiled 15 tackles, two caused fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Donna North went 0-10 last year, and a win still eludes it, but the Chiefs are headed in the right direction.

“We’re giving teams a competition now,” Ochoa said. “We want to win, and we almost expect to win because now we feel we know what this level takes. We’re getting closer and closer to where we want to be.”

Ochoa is one of 12 seniors desperate to leave their high school careers with a win. Sauceda said there has been considerable improvement, with kids knowing assignments better and more comfortable with his ways.

That’s a testament to leaders like Ochoa, who is always giving teammates an encouraging word and eager to help them fix mistakes.

“This is my senior year, and of course I want it to be good,” Ochoa said. “But I also want it more for these other guys. I want to help get us some wins.

“I want them to do well so they can carry this forward and become great when I leave.”

Ochoa started playing cornerback in the seventh grade, where one of his coaches knew he’d be a perfect fit. The coach told him to pay attention to NFL star Darrelle Revis, of the New York Jets.

Ochoa did. He became engrossed with the physicality of the position, and how smart and aware a defensive back had to be.

Revis is the reason Ochoa wears No. 24.

“He’s physical, he’s smart and pretty good at it,” Ochoa said. “I like to think that I’m the same way.”

Ochoa worked hard during the offseason. He got quicker and added 15 pounds of muscle. Moving from cornerback to safety, he had to learn different reads.

But the goal was the same — get to the football.

“By the coverage we run, our safeties are always going to be in a position to make plays,” Sauceda said. “If it’s a run, they’re taught to come downhill. They’re obviously involved in the passing game. They have to be hard and tough, and that’s what Mark is. He’s that type of guy.”

Sauceda said because of players like Ochoa, the Chiefs are fine, despite the win-loss record. It’s Ochoa who is always egging on the offense, doing everything and anything to get his teammates to match his energy and love for the game.

Now, Sauceda said, it’s about turning that passion into wins.

“Mark’s really come a long way,” Sauceda said. “We’ve asked a lot from him — to lead us, to bring us energy, to make sure everyone is always lined up right.

“He’s really starting to play like he’s capable of playing, and he knows now he can bring his ‘A’ game every Friday night.”

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DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

Mercedes grew up last week during its 35-6 loss at Calallen. The speed and power the Wildcats had, Tigers coach Roger Adame Jr. said, will only help down the line. Moving ahead, Adame wants to see his defense get off the field on third downs and his offense sustain drives.

And the Tigers can’t help but look forward, if only because a new home looms. Mercedes’ new stadium is scheduled to be ready for the Tigers’ home opener next week against La Feria.

The elevator is 80 percent done, there’s paving that needs to be completed in the parking lot, and it may take another 10 days to finish the track around the field (workers are planning to work Sunday to get it done in time). But the hope is that by Wednesday or Thursday of next week, the Tigers can hold a walkthrough practice and be ready to play Friday.

“These kids know it’s there and they’re anxious,” Adame said. “As coaches, we try to use it as it doesn’t matter where we play. We control only what we can. Our job is to show up and play.

“But there’s no question they’re excited.”

The stadium’s completion has to be approved by the city and the school board before the Tigers step on the field. If that doesn’t happen in time by Sept. 11, the Tigers will play at La Feria.

The fieldhouse at the new stadium, however, won’t be ready until, at best, late October, and, at worst, after Thanksgiving.

THE RIGHT DIRECTION

The signs of progress are evident. A win still eludes Donna North’s varsity football program, but coach Tommy Sauceda knows his team is headed in the right direction despite a 34-23 loss to La Feria in Week 1.

“We were flying to the football defensively,” Sauceda said. “Our passing game is improving. We did a better job establishing our run game.

“We had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, and that’s all we can ask for.”

It’s baby steps for the second-year program, which went 0-10 in 2014. But Sauceda has a promising bunch in quarterback Alex Saenz, running back Dominic Ochoa and receiver Richard Gomez, and a quintet on defense that includes Mark Ochoa, Carlos Hurtado, Alex Gonzalez and Manuel Lerma.

Putting it all together means doing what often eludes young teams, sometimes no matter how hard they try: consistency.

“Get a couple of first downs on offense, seize the moment offensively,” Sauceda said. “We force a fumble on the opening kickoff and don’t put any points up. We have to be able to put plays together.

“The guys we expect to make things happen, did. We just need some more to come on, and we’ll get there.”

MOVING FORWARD

PSJA High suffered its worst loss since 2000 last week with a 78-26 handling at the hands of PSJA North.

“We’re replacing 10 starters on defense, and we know we have to find the right mix and do things properly, like lining up correctly and knowing assignments,” PSJA High coach Steve Marroquin said. “They were just more prepared than we were, and they took advantage of some things we’re not doing well right now.”

Those things include knowing where players are supposed to be and where they’re supposed to go. “Assignment football,” as Marroquin calls it, which he said is the foundation of a good defense.

Offensively, the Bears looked strong, particularly quarterback Andrew Castaneda. The offense is further along than the defense, but for the Bears to make the playoffs a second straight season they will need to be able to stop people.

“We took it on the chin,” Marroquin said. “We did. But I like the fact that we played hard. We didn’t hang our heads.

“We found a way to fight, and this team is going to have to scratch, fight and claw.”

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DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

MISSION — Friends and family could not find Weslaco East senior Jayven Cordova moments after he crossed the finish line to win the varsity boys’ division of the first annual Pioneer Diamondback Invitational at Sharyland Pioneer High on Saturday morning.

That’s the norm, his father assured, as this happens after every race. But Cordova’s brief departure this time had a different feeling to it.

“I lose usually, so I’m always mad,” said Cordova, who won with a time of 15:37.4, seven seconds better than second-place finisher Victor Pedraza of PSJA Southwest. “I tend to just leave to get away from everything and get myself together.

“But this is my first time winning a meet and I felt good, so I just wanted to walk around and take it all in.”

Cordova, who has been running since the third grade, said he knew a win was in grasp around the two-mile mark of the 5K race.

“I didn’t expect winning it all, but as the race kept going I was feeling pretty good,” he said. “I started off in the middle, worked my way up and when I started catching up to the leaders, I felt their energy was tiring and I still felt good. I took the lead and I didn’t look back.”

Cordova took quickly to the course, which was praised by runners at a meet that consisted of 23 boys teams and 20 girls teams. The terrain was mostly grass and the race finished on the school’s track, something Cordova said is unique compared to the typical meet course.

Because of the relative smooth nature of the run, Cordova’s effortless gait found no troubles along the path.

“Everything just fell into place,” Cordova said. “A lot of people tell me I have a real smooth form and it looks like I don’t use a lot of energy. I try and use that to my advantage and make sure opponents never see me fatigued or down. It looks that way, but really I’m dying inside.”

Rio Grande City senior Ana Bautista wasn’t set on winning the varsity girls division, but she did anyway with a time of 18:43.6, a little more than 25 seconds better than second-place finisher Jezabelle Rodriguez of Eagle Pass.

Bautista achieved her goal of a new personal record by beating her previous time of 18:54.

“I was just nervous,” Bautista said. “I didn’t really care about winning coming in, I cared most about a PR . That was my main focus. I’ve been working hard since the summer because I want to get better. It’s my senior year and this means a lot.”

Bautista focused on picking up her pace and recovery runs during the summer, and so far it’s paying off. She is considered by Valley cross country coaches to be one of the top runners this season.

“I didn’t expect this and I’m still a little bit surprised,” Bautista said. “But this is good. It’s good for me going forward.”

Bautista’s win highlighted a strong showing for the Rio Grande City girls team, which placed third with 137 points. Senior Marlett Trevino finished fifth individually with a time of 19:40.2.

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Pioneer Diamondback Invitational

At Sharyland Pioneer High School

Saturday’s Results

Boys

Team Results — 1. Eagle Pass, 101 points; 2. Sharyland Pioneer, 118; 3. Brownsville Rivera, 118; 4. Mission Veterans Memorial, 126; 5. Weslaco East, 159; 6. Donna North, 176; 7. Donna High, 218; 8. Corpus Christi King, 231

Individual Results — 1. Jayven Cordova, Weslaco East, 15:37.4; 2. Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 15:44.8; 3. Parker Scott, Corpus Christi King, 15:52.7; 4. Anthony Garza, Brownsville Rivera, 16:00.1; 5. Andres Martinez, Laredo Alexander, 16:09.4; 6. Jonathan Herrera, Brownsville Rivera, 16:16.4; 7. Miguel Huitron, Eagle Pass, 16:18.5; 8. Jose Aleman, Sharyland Pioneer, 16:20.7; 9. Rudy Aranda, Sharyland Pioneer, 16:20.8; 10. Marcus Guajardo, Edinburg Vela, 16:25.2; 11. Fabian Garcia, Mission Veterans Memorial, 16:30.1; 12. Brandon Gracia, Rio Grande City, 16:31.1; 13. Nathan Kowalski, Eagle Pass, 16:33.9; 14. Jacinto Garza, Edinburg Vela, 16:35.0; 15. Francisco Morales, Donna High, 16:37.3; 16. Luis Ramirez, Weslaco East; 16:37.4; 17. Diego Monjaras, Valley View, 16:38.9; 18. Martin Gonzalez, Sharyland High, 16:41.1; 19. Ryan Rodriguez, Eagle Pass, 16:41.9; 20. Bryan Vela, Weslaco East, 16:44.0.

Girls

Team Results — 1. Eagle Pass, 44; 2. Laredo Alexander, 48; 3. Rio Grande City, 137; 4. Valley View, 167; 5. Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 185; 6. PSJA Memorial, 189; 7. Mission Veterans Memorial, 214.

Individual Results — 1. Ana Bautista, Rio Grande City, 18:43.6; 2. Jezabelle Rodriguez, Eagle Pass, 19:08, 9; 3. Alexa Rodriguez, Laredo Alexander, 19:23.3; 4. Monica Rivera, Eagle Pass, 19:31.8; 5. Marlett Trevino, Rio Grande City, 19:40.2; 6. Abril Escamilla, Laredo Martin, 19:59.6; 7. Jennifer Lopez, Brownsville Rivera, 20:02.9; 8. Bianca Martinez, Laredo Alexander, 20:07.4; 9. Suzet Salinas, Eagle Pass, 20:08.4; 10. Mia Garcia, Laredo Alexander, 20:08.7; 11. Alyana Rendon, Laredo Alexander, 20:09.7; 12. Monica Yanez, Valley View, 20:10.7; 13. Ruby Briones, Eagle Pass, 20:14.8; 14. Violet Torres, PSJA Memorial, 20:23.6; 15. Justeen Cantu, Weslaco East, 20:28.6; 16. Anna Sanchez, PSJA High, 20:29.6; 17. Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans Memorial, 20:34.1; 18. Maria Gonzalez, Mission Veterans Memorial, 20:34.4; 19. Valerie Gutierrez, Grulla, 20:35.4; 20. McKayla Guerra, San Benito, 20:38.6.

Results from Saturday morning’s Edinburg High Invitational cross country meet.

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Edinburg High Invitational

At Ebony Golf Course

Saturday’s Results

Boys

Team Results — 1. Edinburg North, 50 points; 2. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 94; 3. La Joya High, 121; 4. Weslaco High, 139; 5. Harlingen High, 150; 6. Harlingen South, 159; 7. Hidalgo, 176; 8. La Feria, 214; 9. Edinburg Economedes, 22; 10. Raymondville, 290.

Individual Results — 1. Tristan Pena, Edinburg North, 16:14; 2. Jonathan Reyes, Mercedes, 16:18; 3. Moises Campos, Hidalgo, 16:36; 4. Dominic Cavazos, Mercedes, 16:46; 5. Ricky Mendoza, La Joya, 16:52; 6. Juan Manzano, Weslaco High, 16:53; 7. Joshua Doria, Edinburg High, 16:54; 8. Martin Baez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 16:58; 9. David De Hoyos, Edcouch-Elsa, 17:05; 10. Aldo Nava, Edinburg North, 17:16; 11. Andrew Nunez, Edinburg North, 17:20; 12. Edward Ramos, Harlingen High, 17:29; 13. Mauricio Hernandez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 17:34; 14. Jose Serna, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 17:35; 15. Fernando Escobar, Harlingen High, 17:36; 16. Joey Martinez, La Joya High, 17:49; 17. Art Benavides, Harlingen High, 17:50; 18. Juan Castellanos, Harlingen High, 17:51; 19. Jesus Guerrero, Hidalgo, 17:54; 20. Manuel Castrejon, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 17:58.

Girls

Team Results — 1. Weslaco High, 75 points; 2. Edinburg High, 114; 3. Edinburg Economedes, 121; 4. McAllen High, 128; 5. Edinburg North, 133; 6. McAllen Rowe, 137; 7. La Feria, 233; 8. McAllen Memorial, 300; 9. Harlingen High, 325.

Individual Results — 1. Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 19:48; 2. Vianney Sanchez, Edinburg High, 20:18; 3. Stephanie Sauceda, Weslaco High, 20:19; 4. Daniela De La Cruz, Edinburg Economedes, 20:28; 5. Adriana Cruz, Edinburg High, 20:34; 6. Mayra Serrano, Edinburg Economedes, 20:39; 7. Gloria Martinez, Weslaco High, 20:42; 8. Kelly Aquinaga, Edcouch-Elsa, 20:45; 9. Teresa Castillo, Edinburg Economedes, 20:51; 10. Alexis Medina, Edinburg High, 20:52; 11. Veronica Dougherty, McAllen Rowe, 20:53; 12. Bryana Rios, Edinburg North, 20:59; 13. Luvia Mejia, McAllen Rowe, 21:01; 14. Paulina Maldonado, McAllen High, 21:11; 15. Samantha Rivera, PSJA North, 21:16; 16. Lynda Lozano, Edinburg North, 21:17; 17. Soledad Cruz, Mercedes, 21:18; 18. Janet Figueroa, Weslaco High, 21:21; 19. Cariana Guerra, McAllen High, 21:22; 20. Daniela Solis, PSJA North, 21:33.

DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

ELSA — As impressive as Edcouch-Elsa was offensively Friday night, it was far superior defensively.

Missing two starting defensive linemen and a starting linebacker, Edcouch-Elsa still kept an explosive McAllen Rowe team in check most of the night, earning a 21-14 win at Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium.

The Yellowjackets (1-0) held the Warriors (0-1) to only 4.7 yards per play. On a night when Edcouch-Elsa unveiled its new pass-happy offense to the tune of 352 yards, and a bizarre 316 passing yards for a program that has traditionally been ground-and-pound, it was the defense that starred. A clutch pass break-up in the end zone by safety Adrian Rodriguez ended Rowe’s last hope at a win as time expired.

“We had a lot of backups going in, and we wouldn’t put them out there if we didn’t believe in them,” Edcouch-Elsa coach Joe Marichalar said. “We feel confident they could make plays, and they came out and made plays.”

After forcing a punt to open the game, the Yellowjackets struck first on Rigo Ayala’s 3-yard touchdown run. Rowe, which was without three defensive starters and one offensive starter, punted on its next possession and then threw an interception on its third (to cornerback Noe Rodriguez deep in E-E’s red zone) before the Yellowjackets struck again.

Junior quarterback Marco Aguinaga found J.J. Flores on a beautiful 81-yard catch-and-run with 2:18 left before halftime.

“We have mistakes we can fix, but we started well,” said Aguinaga, who threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns against Rowe’s Cover 2 defense. “Our (offensive) line was in tip-top shape, and that’s a credit to my center Elijah (Sanchez). He adjusted to the defense and he led the way.”

On its next-to-last possession before halftime, Rowe turned the ball over on downs deep in E-E’s red zone. In all, the Warriors had five shots in the red zone, and come up empty on three of them.

“It didn’t come down to just one play,” Rowe coach Paul Reyes said. “We’re in the red zone three times and don’t execute. A bad read here, not being tough enough there, and just coming up short. They’re just mistakes we have to grow from.”

Without stalwarts Julio Contreras and Elias Munoz on the defensive line, as well as hard-hitting outside linebacker Joel Cardoza, the Yellowjackets still found ways to stymie the Warriors.

Eddie Gomez, Norby Fuentes and Jayson Munoz held down the defensive front, while Seth Garcia and Miguel Morones, among others, filled in and made plays when they had to.

“Hard work pays off, and all these guys put in the time,” Fuentes said. “(Rowe) did a lot of zone blocks and we caught up real quick with that.

“Everyone that was in there stepped up, and we may have some young guys but they’re full of energy.”

After Moses Gomez’s 10-yard TD reception with 10:15 left pulled E-E ahead 21-6, Rowe closed within a score on Gus Salazar’s 2-yard run and ensuing 2-point conversion with 2:20 remaining.

E-E punted on its next time up, but the Warriors tightened when they got close to scoring one last time with seconds winding down.

Backup quarterback Jesus Sanchez, in because of cramping suffered by starter John Perez, admirably led the Warriors down the field, but his last attempt to the end zone was almost intercepted by the 6-foot-4 Rodriguez before being batted to the ground.

“We talk about having heart and character and we showed that today,” Marichalar said. “But it’s not perfect, so we have a lot of work to do.”

COMPETING TOGETHER

Perez completed 18 of 26 passes for 154 yards and ran for 91 yards, but struggled early before emerging late. Sanchez completed 5 of 9 passes for 59 yards, all in crunch time of the fourth quarter.

“John’s had the experience and he did a good job before he started cramping,” Reyes said. “But he can’t take any days off because Jesus is right on his tail. Jesus stayed focused and when John cramped, Jesus gave us a spark and we stayed with him. Those guys are competing, but they’re team players and we’re comfortable with either.”

SECRET WEAPON

Junior wide receiver AJ Rodriguez missed both of E-E’s scrimmages because of disciplinary reasons, but he showed what he is capable of against Rowe.

Rodriguez caught five passes for 63 yards and proved to be another fast, elusive weapon in the Yellowjackets’ arsenal.

“He’s that type of scat-back receiver,” Marichalar said. “He can cut on a dime and he had some plays where he made defenders look silly.”

UP NEXT

Edcouch-Elsa travels to the lower Valley to face off Friday against Los Fresnos, which opened with a 34-14 win at Edinburg North on Thursday.

McAllen Rowe hosts Mercedes at 7 p.m. Thursday in McAllen. The Tigers fell 35-6 at Calallen on Friday.

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DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER

After Edcouch-Elsa and McAllen Rowe met to open the 2014 season, it appeared the Warriors would be contenders following their impressive 48-28 win and the Yellowjackets would struggle just to make the playoffs.

But the reverse happened. E-E eventually put things together in well enough time to finish third in District 32-5A, while Rowe never looked as good as it did in Week 1, winning just two of the remaining nine games.

Heading into Friday’s 7:30 game at Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium, the Yellowjackets want a better start and the same finish — a playoff berth — and the Warriors want the same start, but a different finish.

“We ended up having a few key injuries, in areas where you have to be consistent if you want to win games,” Rowe coach Paul Reyes said. “We kept trying to find the right pieces and we never could seem to get in sync.

“The biggest thing, more than not, was our psyche. After awhile, we just started expecting bad things to happen, and when they did it got us. The kids were playing not to lose.”

Both teams are banged up and missing key starters.

Edcouch-Elsa’s defense is ailing with injuries to defensive linemen Julio Contereras (knee) and Jacob Hernandez (hamstring), and linebacker Joel Cardoza (possible hip-pointer). Offensive tackle Elias Munoz is also hindered with an ankle ailment.

All are questionable for Friday’s game, though in the Yellowjackets’ read-and-react defensive scheme it’s easier to plug players in at a moment’s notice because of its simplicity.

“It’s early and we’re just trying to survive,” E-E coach Joe Marichalar said. “Get the kids healthy and make sure they’re ready for the district season. We have depth and we have kids that can step in and play.”

Rowe has three defensive starters and one offensive starter missing Friday’s game. None of the injuries are expected to be serious.

At this time last year, Edcouch-Elsa was young, going through an intense evaluation process to determine its quarterback, receivers, secondary and other spots. The Yellowjackets are a year older, and, Marichalar is convinced, a year better, particularly with a new open offense that highlights the abilities of quarterback Marco Aguinaga and receivers Andrew Segura, J.J. Flores, Tey Valdez, Moises Gomez and others.

“I feel we’re one step ahead of where we were last year,” said Marichalar, who will be keeping an eye on “situational football,” like players knowing alignments, assignments and responsibilities during particular down-and-distance circumstances. “That goes to experience. Obviously, we have way more reps than what we had last year. Rowe’s very explosive offensively and we know it’s going to be tough.

“Before we can start worrying about an opponent, we need to fix our own problems.”

Rowe, too, was searching for pieces last season, and it wasn’t until the final weeks they were found. Now the Warriors are comfortable with their roles and who will be where, particularly on offense.

Reyes has even added wrinkles to the offense to put his playmakers — quarterback John Perez, running back Jose Chavez and receivers Hector Bosquez and Joseph Moreno — in more space.

“We know our identity and we know what we can and can’t do,” Reyes said. “These guys know their roles, know their strengths, and we just have to maximize that. I’m OK with where we’re at right now.”

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