Edinburg football legend Richard R. Flores died Thursday at the age of 83, Edinburg CISD School Board President Dominga “Minga” Vela confirmed.

Vela said Edinburg schools Superintendent Mario Salinas notified her of his death Thursday afternoon.

Flores was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. He went 121-37-3 as a high school football head coach for Rio Hondo, Lyford and his alma mater Edinburg High.

The former Bobcats legend also was honored by the Leo Najo Baseball Hall of Fame, the Texas High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame and the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor.

“He was a legendary Bobcat, he was a fighting Bobcat,” Vela said. “He taught the value of life too many football players, pride, tradition, especially Bobcat pride because the red and blue ran through his veins. He was a fine example of what being a Bobcat coach is all about.”

Edinburg CISD’s stadium was named in honor of Flores in 2016.

“We are in Edinburg, at Edinburg CISD we are family, we take care of each other, and we will be taking care of his family for sure,” Vela said. “Because in Edinburg if you are a Bobcat, you bleed red and blue for sure.”

Flores played baseball and football for Edinburg High and graduated in 1958. Flores then graduated from UTPA in 1962.

Flores spent 25 years serving Edinburg CISD. He was a coach for 15 years, retiring in 1990 and spent 10 more years as athletic director.

He helped turn a program in Rio Hondo around following a 0-10 season his first season, leading them to back-to-back district titles in 1972-73. He also helped lead Edinburg High to eight playoff trips during his time at the helm.

The Edinburg Vela Sapphires dance team preapres to preform at Richard R.Flores stadium Thursday Oct. 27 2022 in Edinburg. Coaching legend Richard R Flores has died at the age of 82. The stadium was named after the ledgendary coach. (Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

Throughout his career Flores has been credited with mentoring many coaches in the Valley, including Robert Vela, Robert Alaniz and Mario Lopez.

Former Mercedes and McAllen Memorial coach Pete Vela did not spend time as a coach under Flores, but Flores impacted Vela, like he also did to his late brother and fellow Valley coaching legend Robert Vela.

“He was a tremendous influence on many, many coaches,” Vela said. “At one time, he was very proud of five of us who became head coaches. He wanted to take a picture — it was Richard Flores, our mentor, Robert Vela, Gil Garza, Chris Cavazos and myself. He was very proud of that; we were all head football coaches who were influenced by him.”

Flores coached Vela when he was in the ninth grade and Flores was the student coach of his team.

“You do not find many men better than Coach Flores,” Vela said. “He was a truly amazing person. He was a great example for his football teams, his football players and his coaches. Not just football, he was a great athletic director as well. He was just a great person. He will be sorely missed (and is) gone too soon from us.”

Edinburg Vela Sapphires dance team during the playing of National Anthem on at Richard R. Flores Stadium Thursday Oct. 27 2022 in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | [email protected]) Delcia Lopez

Flores also garnered admiration from his competitors during his career.

Former Edcouch-Elsa and PSJA High coach Mel Rios respected the legendary coach and said the coach was ahead of the game when their teams battled.

“I got to know him very well,” Rios said. “He [Flores] was always a professional person when it came to speaking to you. I was much younger than he was, but we all looked up to him.”

Rios also had the opportunity to work with Flores at PSJA High when Flores took over in 2006 as the interim athletic director.

“He [Flores] was ahead of everybody when it came to the knowledge of the game. It was always honor to be able to compete against him and to try and get a win against him. Those experiences made us who we are today, being able to be associated with someone like him,” Rios said.

Friday featured a matchup between two of the Valley’s oldest programs going head-to-head, with McAllen High and Edinburg High clashing in a non-district contest.

The Bobcats avenged last season’s loss to the Bulldogs, taking down McHi 21-13 to kick off the 2022 campaign with a win.

Senior running back Noel Serna spearheaded the Bobcats’ rushing attack, giving the Bobcats their first lead of the game on a 62-yard touchdown burst down the sideline in the third. He added the game-sealing score on a 3-yard touchdown plunge with 1:48 left.

Sophomore quarterback Jae Santa Maria connected with senior wideout Rivers Martinez for a 26-yard touchdown pass during the first half for the Bobcats’ first score of the night.

Edinburg High (1-0, 0-0) turns its attention to a non-district tilt against intracity rival Edinburg Vela (1-0, 0-0) on Friday at Richard Flores Stadium in Edinburg.

SHARYLAND PIONEER 24, McALLEN ROWE 21: At Mission, the Diamondbacks and Warriors traded blows throughout the contest, with McAllen quarterback Issac Sotuyo giving McAllen Rowe the lead on a 13-yard touchdown run late in the fourth.

On the ensuing drive, Sharyland Pioneer quarterback Julian Valdez connected with Antonio Carrizales for a 31-yard go-ahead touchdown with 4:05 left, putting the Diamondbacks up for good.

Up next for Pioneer is a road tilt against Rio Grande City on Friday. McAllen Rowe continues its three-game homestand against La Joya High on Thursday.

PSJA NORTH 49, PSJA HIGH 0: At Pharr, junior quarterback Ale Aparicio accounted for four touchdowns to lead the Raiders past the Bears in the 31st Tri-City Classic, their third straight victory over PSJA High.

Aparicio finished with a pair of touchdowns on the ground, adding a pair of touchdown throws to Julius Arredondo.

PSJA High (0-1, 0-0) will look to rebound Thursday, hosting Weslaco East (0-1, 0-1) in a non-district clash. PSJA North (1-0, 0-0) host District 32-6A’s Los Fresnos (1-0, 0-0) on Friday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.

DONNA HIGH 42, LA FERIA 21: At Donna, sophomore quarterback Geoffrey Levre threw three touchdown passes to lead the Redskins past the Lion.

“All these guys played tough,” Donna head coach Mike Gonzales said. “Overall, we played well, we had a lot of guys touch the ball. I think we moved the ball pretty well and our offensive line came out to play tonight.”

Donna High hosts Valley View (0-1, 0-0) during their next contest Friday at Bennie La Prade Stadium in Donna.

“We got to clean up some things,” Gonzales said. “It was a good win for our program, but now we got to concentrate on Valley View, they are coming to Donna and are going to ready.”

SANTA ROSA 34, HARLINGEN MARINE MILITARY 0: At Santa Rosa the Warriors were another team at home that started the season with a win, routing the Leathernecks.

The shutout and multiple players being targeted offensively were key points the second-year head coach highlighted.

“We saw some positives and some negatives that is for sure,” Santa Rosa coach Joe Marichalar said. “I like our team chemistry, how our kids played together. It was a whole team effort, that is what I liked about our performance tonight.”

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The Rio Grande Valley has a long-standing history of success in high school boys soccer. During 15 of the past 18 years, at least one team has advanced to the University Interscholastic League’s state tournament, six capturing a state title.

Going into today’s regional tournaments, four Valley teams remain, each vying for a spot in the state tournament.

The Brownsville Porter Cowboys, Hidalgo Pirates, Progreso Red Ants and Sharyland High Rattlers are the Valley’s “Final Four” in the 2022 UIL boys soccer postseason.

Each team has advanced to the state tournament in the past. The Cowboys won it all during the 2006 and 2016 seasons. The Pirates (2009) and Rattlers (2012) each have one state crown under their belt, while the Red Ants finished as a state runner-up during the 2016 campaign.

The “Final Four” are all gearing up for another state tournament appearance, beginning today at the Region IV-4A and 5A tournaments, slated to take place at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium and Cabaniss Soccer Complex in Corpus Christi, respectively.

PIRATE MENTALITY

The Pirates claimed the state championship during the 2009 season, led by head coach Zeke Morales. This season, Morales leads another group of athletes he said he believes are capable of repeating history.

“We don’t know where we’re going to be next year,” Morales said. “Every year is different. But this year, with the group we have, we have a great chance. They just can’t be satisfied yet. We want them to stay hungry and want more. We want them to be the second team here at Hidalgo to win state. We have the talent. We’ve been working hard for it. It’s all about mentality and doing your part. They understand we want to leave a mark.”

Hidalgo is anchored by a stout defense that has yet to allow a goal this postseason. Junior Anthony Nava and freshman Gabriel Ordonez anchor the Pirates’ backline, which allowed only two goals during district play.

Offensively, the Pirates have received a boost with the return of Rey Cantu, The Monitor’s 2021 All-Area Boys Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Year, three weeks before the start of the postseason. The junior striker has netted five goals during the Pirates’ three playoff victories.

Cantu could be a gametime decision for today’s regional semifinal against the Taylor Ducks, however, suffering an injury during last week’s quarterfinal matchup against Vanguard Rembrandt.

The Pirates square off against Taylor in the Region IV-4A semifinals at 2 p.m. today at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.

RETURN OF THE RED ANTS

The Red Ants sat on the sidelines the past two seasons, with the 2020 postseason wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by Progreso opting out of the 2021 campaign.

During their return to the pitch, the Red Ants have picked up where they left off, advancing to the regional semifinals for the fifth time in the past seven years.

The Red Ants showed their offensive prowess during district play, netting 70 goals in 12 contests. During the postseason, however, Progreso has struggled to put the ball in the net, averaging 1.3 goals per game, well below their district average of 5.8.

“I think it’s just the level of competition,” Alanis said. “But we’re going to the next round. The other teams are here for a reason. So, it’s just harder to score. We just have to work at it a little bit more. Hopefully we can score against Boerne. We’re going to try and play with a little more offense so we can come out and win.”

The Red Ants take on the Boerne Greyhounds in the Region IV-4A semifinals at 4 p.m. today at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.

RISING RATTLERS

Over the summer, then-Sharyland High head coach Reveriano Hernandez hung up his whistle after 28 years. Hernandez helped guide the Rattlers to multiple playoff appearances, including a state championship during the 2012 campaign.

Led by first-year head coach Jorge Guerra, both played and served as an assistant coach under Hernandez, the Rattlers are continuing the tradition, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time since Hernandez’s 2012 state championship team.

“It’s a great feeling,” Guerra said. “It’s been a tough road. But we’ve been starting to look better since the playoffs came around. … I’ve learned everything from him (Hernandez). I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel. I’m just following what I learned, while trying to add my name to it. Just little things I like about the team and going from there.”

Sophomore Juan Pablo Treviño has emerged as a go-to scorer for the Rattlers, netting a pair of goals during Sharyland High’s victory over Rio Grande City, followed by the game-winner against Corpus Christi Veterans.

Treviño also converted the final penalty kick during their shootout against Brownsville Lopez to send his team to the second round.

Sharyland High takes on Dripping Springs in the Region IV-5A semifinals today at 2 p.m. at the Cabaniss Soccer Complex in Corpus Christi.

COWBOYS TRADITION

The Porter Cowboys are the Valley’s only team to win multiple state championships. Their quest for a third continues today against the Georgetown Eagles.

Kickoff is set for noon at the Cabaniss Soccer Complex.

Cowboys head coach Jose Espitia believes the Eagles are a well-organized team that defends as a unit and are lethal on the counterattack. Georgetown has not conceded a goal during the playoffs.

“They leave very little space,” Espitia said. “When they recover the ball, they transition into their attack well and before you know it they are near your box. They look good, but then again, it is going to be different for them, the Valley player is different from what they are used to.”

The match will be a clash of styles. During the playoffs Porter dominated teams with meaningful possession. When in possession the Cowboys pressure the opposing defense with lethal passes that force defenders to be switched on at all times.

During the last two playoff the games, the Cowboys easily had over 75% of the possession, probably even more, so they have seen teams try and counter to beat them.

“We are hoping that our offensive players could be our advantage, but we have to be very smart and focused defensively,” Espitia said.

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