BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

After two years as head coach of Edinburg High football, Joaquin Escobar has been reassigned to a position at Harwell Middle School by Edinburg CISD. Escobar was made aware of the decision Friday.

“They called me in and told me they wanted to go a different direction,” Escobar said. “It is what it is. It’s part of the business, I understand that. I didn’t bat an eye. I had a job I had to get done, and I didn’t get it done. I don’t hold anything against anybody.”

Escobar’s stint with the Bobcats was his first as a head coach. The Odessa native finished with an overall record of 3-17, including a 2-10 mark in District 31-6A. Prior to his move to the Valley, Escobar was an offensive coordinator at Corpus Christi King.

“It was an awesome experience,” Escobar said. “They’re very loyal young men. They gave everything they had. It was great. My heart is full. I feel like we came in and did what we were supposed to do. We changed a lot of kids who were getting in trouble in class and helped them become better students and better men in the classroom.”

Though Escobar remains employed by Edinburg CISD, he says he plans to seek a head coaching job elsewhere and that he’s already been contacted by schools in the Valley and the San Antonio area.

“You’re always thinking something like this might happen when you’re a coach,” Escobar said of his reassignment. “I didn’t know about their decision at the time, though. You don’t try thinking about it too much because you don’t want it to affect the kids. That’s what it’s all about. Not me, not the administration. It’s about the kids, and that wouldn’t be fair to them.”

The news was confirmed by Escobar on social media.

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The Monitor sports reporters Greg Luca, Mario Aguirre and Jon R. LaFollette recap the #RGVplayoffs bi-district round.

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Edinburg IDEA Quest 46, La Villa 37
San Benito 63, Mission High 13

Red Pool: La Joya High, Brownsville Rivera, PSJA Southwest, Grulla
Black Pool: La Joya Palmview, PSJA Memorial, Valley View, Brownsville Veterans
Grey Pool: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Edinburg Economedes, Rio Hondo, Donna North
White Pool: PSJA North, Roma, Hidalgo, Brownsville Hanna

Game 1: Hidalgo 44, Roma 43
Game 4: La Joya High 46, PSJA Southwest 26
Game 7: Brownsville Rivera 54, Grulla 17
Game 9: Brownsville Hanna 65, Roma 38
Game 12: Brownsville Rivera 44, PSJA Southwest 28
Game 15: La Joya High 57, Grulla 21

Game 3: Donna North 34, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 23
Game 6: Rio Hondo 51, Edinburg Economedes 38
Game 11: Edinburg Economedes 49, Donna North 38
Game 14: Rio Hondo 48, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 39

Game 2: PSJA North 69, Brownsville Hanna 55
Game 5: La Joya Palmview 63, Valley View 29
Game 8: PSJA Memorial 61, Brownsville Lopez 38
Game 10: PSJA North 64, Hidalgo 31
Game 13: PSJA Memorial 55, Valley View 40
Game 16: La Joya Palmview 78, Brownsville Lopez 31

Game 19: La Joya High 38, Brownsville Rivera 24
Game 22: PSJA Southwest 40, Grulla 39
Game 25: La Joya High 36, Edinburg Economedes 34
Game 28: Rio Hondo 38, Brownsville Rivera 31

Game 18: PSJA North 68, Roma 41
Game 21: Edinburg Economedes 31, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 19
Game 24: Rio Hondo 52, Donna North 26
Game 27: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 36, PSJA Southwest 35
Game 30: Donna North 59, Grulla 30
Game 31: Roma 62, Brownsville Lopez 46

Game 17: Brownsville Lopez 53, Valley View 50
Game 20: La Loya Palmview 60, PSJA Memorial 30
Game 23: Brownsville Hanna 46, Hidalgo 44
Game 26: La Joya Palmview 67, Brownsville Hanna 40
Game 29: PSJA North 40, PSJA Memorial 30
Game 32: Hidalgo 53, Valley View 38

Game 33: Edinburg Economedes def. Brownsville Rivera
Game 36: Rio Hondo def. La Joya High
Game 39: PSJA Memorial 47, Edinburg Economedes 44
Game 42: Brownsville Hanna 44, Brownsville Rivera 25
Game 45: Second Place Game: La Joya Palmview 60, La Joya High 37
Game 48: Championship Game: PSJA North 59, Rio Hondo 41

Game 35: Grulla 40, PSJA Southwest 32
Game 38: Valley View 64, Brownsville Lopez 61
Game 41: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 42, Donna North 35
Game 43: Brownsville Lopez 46, PSJA Southwest 34
Game 46: Valley View 47, Grulla 44

Game 34: Brownsville Hanna 48, PSJA Memorial 39
Game 37: PSJA North 53, La Joya Palmview 47
Game 40: Roma 36, Hidalgo 34
Game 44: Hidalgo 64, Donna North 18
Game 47: Roma 55, Juarez-Lincoln 37

Tournament MVP: Belle Palacios, PSJA North
All-Tournament Team: Ariana Medrano, PSJA North; Mellissa Palacios, PSJA North; Victoria Aguilar, Rio Hondo; Lori Jaramillo, Rio Hondo; Samantha Gutierrez, La Joya Palmview; Renee Flores, La Joya Palmview

Pool No.1: Brownsville Porter, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, Edinburg Vela, Laredo United South, Mercedes
Pool No. 2: Brownsville Pace, Laredo Cigarroa, Los Fresnos, Mission Veterans Memorial, Weslaco High
Pool No. 3: Donna High, Edinburg High, Santa Rosa, Sharyland High, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy
Pool No. 4: Weslaco East, Edcouch-Elsa, Brownsville First Baptist, Harlingen South, Laredo Nixon

Game 1: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 40, Santa Rosa 24
Game 5: Harlingen South 43, Laredo Nixon 37
Game 9: Donna High 33, Santa Rosa 22
Game 13: Weslaco East 54, Harlingen South, 34
Game 17: Edinburg High 56, Donna High 15

Game 2: Weslaco East 63, Brownsville First Baptist 18

Game 3: Weslaco High 90, Brownsville Pace 35
Game 7: Laredo Cigarroa 56, Los Fresnos 43
Game 11: Mercedes 60, Brownsville Porter 22
Game 15: Laredo United South 62, Edinburg Vela 36
Game 19: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 46, Mercedes 33

Game 4: Laredo United South 70, Brownsville Porter 12
Game 8: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 42, Edinburg Vela 40
Game 12: Brownsville Pace 43, Mission Veterans Memorial 38
Game 16: Weslaco High 51, Los Fresnos 30
Game 20: Laredo Cigarroa 46, Mission Veterans Memorial 41

Game 6: Sharyland High 44, Edinburg High 41
Game 10: Edcouch-Elsa 47, Brownsville First Baptist 29
Game 14: Sharyland High 47, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 42
Game 18: Laredo Nixon 51, Edcouch-Elsa 36

Game 21: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 39, Donna High 20
Game 25: Laredo Nixon 72, Brownsville First Baptist 25
Game 29: Sharyland High def. Donna High
Game 33: Weslaco East 43, Laredo Nixon 42
Game 37: Sharyland High def. Santa Rosa

Game 22: Weslaco East 41, Edcouch-Elsa 28

Game 23: Weslaco High 31, Mission Veterans Memorial 28
Game 27: Laredo Cigarroa 55, Brownsville Pace 34
Game 31: Mercedes 42 vs. Edinburg Vela 33
Game 35: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 53, Laredo United South 50
Game 39: Edinburg Vela 45, Brownsville Porter 21

Game 24: Laredo United South 53, Mercedes 36
Game 28: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 46, Brownsville Porter 27
Game 32: Los Fresnos 36, Mission Veterans Memorial 32
Game 36: Weslaco High 57, Laredo Cigarroa 38
Game 40: Los Fresnos 65, Brownsville Pace 44

Game 29: Sharyland High 59, Donna High 24
Game 37: Sharyland High 60, Santa Rosa 19

Game 26: Edinburg High 66, Santa Rosa 17
Game 30: Harlingen South 47, Edcouch-Elsa 25
Game 34: Edinburg High 62, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 58
Game 38: Harlingen South 72, Brownsville First Baptist 21

Game 41: Santa Rosa def. Brownsville Porter, forfeit
Game 45: Brownsville St. Joseph 41, Mercedes 30
Game 51: Brownsville First Baptist def. Brownsville Porter, forfeit

Game 42: Mission Veterans 68, Brownsville First Baptist 27
Game 46: Los Fresnos 60, Laredo Nixon 49
Game 49: Sharyland High 43, Brownsville Veterans Memorial 40
Game 52: Mission Veterans 64, Santa Rosa 25
Game 55: Mercedes 44, Laredo Nixon 41
Game 57: Laredo United South 54, Harlingen South 42
Game 59: Third Place Game: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 50, Weslaco East 40

Game 43: Edinburg Vela 45, Donna High 43
Game 47: Edinburg High 47, Laredo United South 45
Game 53: Edcouch-Elsa 34, Donna Hgih 32

Game 44: Brownsville Pace 43, Edcouch-Elsa, 39, OT
Game 48: Laredo Cigarroa 53, Harlingen South 41
Game 50: Weslaco High 53, Weslaco East 40
Game 54: Brownsville Pace 48, Edinburg Vela 30
Game 56: Brownsville St. Joseph 39, Los Fresnos 36
Game 58: Laredo Cigarroa 32, Edinburg High 26
Game 60: Championship Game Weslaco High 55, Sharyland High 31

Tournament MVP: Brianna Pena, Weslaco High
All-Tournament Team: Chylee LeFevre, Weslaco East; Kimberly Charles, Weslaco East; Jordan Rudd, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Briana Cortez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial; Anna Marshall, Sharyland High; Maddie Garza, Sharyland High; Jazlynn Muniz, Weslaco High

BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

WESLACO — Brianna Peña knew her role would increase coming into her sophomore season. The Weslaco High guard said goodbye to six seniors from last year’s 30-win team, including standout point guard Angela Villarreal.

So Peña spent the summer readying herself for the increased workload.

“My role has changed a lot,” Peña said. “Last year I stood around a lot because we gave (Angela) the ball. She did a good job of creating for us, but this year we don’t really have that. We have to move the ball around a lot.”

And move the ball the Lady Panthers did during Saturday’s 55-31 win over Sharyland High to clinch their fourth straight mid-Valley tournament championship at Weslaco East High School.

Though Weslaco was undersized, their sharp perimeter play neutralized the Lady Rattlers post presence.

“Our goal was to ball deny,” Weslaco guard Jazlynn Muñiz said. “We had to be their for our post if they needed help, and we did a good job recovering when we needed to.”

Peña and Muñiz led the Lady Panthers in scoring with 19 points and 17 points, respectively. Muñiz scored 12 points in the first half on four 3-pointers. Peña’s baskets came from transition points, pull-up floaters and open mid-range jumpers. Pena won tournament MVP honors while Muñiz was named to the all-tournament team.

“I think Bri’s adjusting well,” Weslaco coach Griselda Fino said. “Once she understands that it’s not about her being a sophomore but about her being a varsity player, she wakes up. Good things happen.”

Peña and the Lady Panthers (6-0) woke up from the get-go against the Lady Rattlers (6-1), taking a 17-4 lead during the first quarter. Four Weslaco players contributed points as the team went to work on applying guard pressure. Lady Rattler guards were stymied much of the night, only collecting one basket away from the free throw line.

“We’ve got to come out to start games better,” Sharyland coach Dale Whitaker said. “We come out in the first quarter like its warm ups sometimes. We need to finish games stronger, too.”

The Lady Rattlers were led in scoring by junior post Anna Marshall with 18 points.

But while Marshall carried the bulk of Sharyland’s offensive load, the Lady Rattlers were plagued by turnovers and several missed shots at the rim. While they stumbled, Weslaco played with consistency, scoring double digits in each quarter.

Despite coming up short in the title game, Whitaker is pleased with his team’s weekend run. The Lady Rattlers were the only Class 5A team in the tournament’s final four, beating RGVSports.com Top 10 teams in Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Edinburg High in order to advance.

Weslaco High travels to Harlingen High on Tuesday to take on the undefeated Lady Cardinals, who were champions of the McAllen High Round Robin Tournament.

“That’s going to be a tough game,” Fino said. “But we want to be the best, and to be the best you have to beat the best.”

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

WESLACO — Ethan De Luna wasn’t supposed to start, but that didn’t stop Weslaco High’s senior defensive back from making the most important play of the game.

Midway through the second quarter of Friday’s Class 6A bi-district contest against Los Fresnos at Bobby Lackey Stadium, De Luna collected the first of his two interceptions against Falcons quarterback Rene Ortega. The turnover signaled the start of a strong defensive showing from the Panthers, which helped propel them to a 49-28 win.

Weslaco High (9-2) advances to the area round and will face Laredo United, the same team that eliminated the Panthers from the playoffs a season ago, handing the team a 40-28 loss.

Though Weslaco found its way to the end zone seven times, the focus for the Panthers was on defense where they looked to slow a high-paced Falcons offense that averaged 404 yards and 35 points per game.

“We had a lot on the table for our kids to learn,” Weslaco defensive coordinator Russ Moore said. “This week, we kept it simple. We went back to the fundamentals. We told the kids, ‘We’re going to do what we do. We’re going to stay in our base defense.’”

That base defense appeared to be in trouble during the first quarter, wherein the Falcons (9-2) took a 14-7 lead after scoring on their first two possessions.

To open the game, Los Fresnos went 55 yards in six plays before Ortega found the end zone on a 3-yard keeper. Though Weslaco would respond with a 6-yard score from Major Free to cap a 13-playdrive that lasted six minutes, the Falcons burst down the field once more before Fabian Rodriguez punched the ball in from 1yard out.

“We try not to panic in situations like that, especially that early in the game” Moore said. “We just buckled down and let the kids know that we had a lot of game left. The kids listened, we made a few adjustments in the secondary, and we started getting our hands on receivers more.”

Major Free would score again at the beginning of the second quarter on a 35-yard run down the sideline to tie the game at 14. As the Falcons looked to regain the lead, the Panthers’ ability to jam and frustrate receivers manifested in De Luna’s timely pick.

“We just wanted to stay close to their receivers the whole game,” De Luna said. “We didn’t want to give them any room. We watched a bunch of film and guys were playing 12 yards off of them the whole time.”
Luna’s interception set up a six-play drive that went 45 yards. Senior fullback Jonathan Martinez scored from the 3-yard line to put Weslaco up 21-14 with 3:50 left in the first half. It was a lead the Panthers would never relinquish.

Weslaco would go on to score three touchdowns on its next three drives, including a 41-yard zip down midfield from senior back Brian Guerra, who finished with 102 yards. Weslaco led by as many as 21.
Los Fresnos’ defense, which allowed just 258 yards per game during the regular season, began aiming for highlight hits instead of fundamental tackles. But Panthers backs were unfazed and often continued to bulldoze their way down the field while Falcon defenders picked themselves off the turf.

FREE’S KNEE

Free finished the game with 100 yards and three scores on 13 carries despite injuring his left knee during Weslaco’s win over Weslaco East last week.

“I didn’t know if I was going to play this game after that,” Free said. “But I told myself, it’s my senior season. I want to go out there and give it my all.”

Weslaco High coach Tony Villarreal said Friday was the strongest he’d seen Free run all season.
“During the second quarter when we were down, (Free) told me to give him the ball,” Villarreal said. “He knew he was going to be able to score.

THE OTHER QB

Though Ortega entered as the Valley’ most productive passer with over 2,300 yards through the air, Weslaco quarterback Desi Rodriguez displayed his talents as well, completing all of his three passes for 79 yards, including an important 54-yard completion to receiver Erik Gonzalez.

“That was a difference maker for us,” Villarreal said. “When we started making some passes, it started to take away what they wanted to do to us defensively.”

Ortega began the game 5-of-5 for 106 yards, but stalled during the second and third quarters, throwing six straight incompletions. Ortega threw a pair of interceptions and lost a fumble.

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McALLEN HIGH ROUND ROBIN TOURNAMENT
Thursday’s Games
At McAllen High School
Harlingen High 61, Rio Grande City 44
McAllen High 45, PSJA High 26
Harlingen High 56, Laredo LBJ 32
Rio Grande City 41, McAllen High 36
Laredo LBJ 43, PSJA High 42

Friday’s Games
At McAllen High School
PSJA High vs. Harlingen High, 9:30 a.m.
McAllen High vs. Laredo LBJ, 11 a.m.
Rio Grande City vs. PSJA High, 12:30 p.m.
Harlingen High vs. McAllen High, 2 p.m.
Laredo LBJ vs. Rio Grande City, 3:30 p.m.

VALLEY-GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES
The La Joya Pack Brawl on the Border Tournament
Nov. 12-14.
Red Pool: La Joya High, Brownsville Rivera, PSJA Southwest, Grulla
Black Pool: La Joya Palmview, PSJA Memorial, Valley View, Brownsville Veterans
Grey Pool: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Edinburg Economedes, Rio Hondo, Donna North
White Pool: PSJA North, Roma, Hidalgo, Brownsville Hanna

Thursday’s Games
At La Joya High
Game 1: Hidalgo 44, Roma 43
Game 4: La Joya High 46, PSJA Southwest 26
Game 7: Brownsville Rivera 54, Grulla 17
Game 9: Brownsville Hanna 65, Roma 38
Game 12: Brownsville Rivera 44, PSJA Southwest 28
Game 15: La Joya 57, Grulla 21

At La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
Game 3: Donna North 34, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 23
Game 6: Rio Hondo 51, Edinburg Economedes 38
Game 11: Edinburg Economedes 49, Donna North 38
Game 14: Rio Hondo 48, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 39

At La Joya Palmview
Game 2: PSJA North 69, Brownsville Hanna 55
Game 5: La Joya Palmview 63, Valley View 29
Game 8: PSJA Memorial 61, Brownsville Lopez 38
Game 10: PSJA North 64, Hidalgo 31
Game 13: PSJA Memorial 55, Valley View 40
Game 16: La Joya Palmview 78, Brownsville Lopez 31

Friday’s Games
At La Joya High
Game 19: La Joya High vs. Brownsville Rivera, noon
Game 22: PSJA Southwest vs. Grulla, 1:30 p.m.
Game 25: Red Pool 1 vs. Grey Pool 2, 3:15 p.m.
Game 28: Grey Pool 1 vs. Red Pool 2, 4:45 p.m.

At La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
Game 18: PSJA North vs. Roma, 10:30 a.m.
Game 21: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln vs. Edinburg Economedes, noon
Game 24: Donna North vs. Rio Hondo, 1:30 p.m.
Game 27: Red Pool 3 vs. Grey Pool 4, 3:15 p.m.
Game 30: Grey Pool 3 vs. Red Pool 4, 4:45 p.m.
Game 31: Black Pool 3 vs. White Pool 4, 6:15 p.m.

At La Joya Palmview
Game 17: Valley View vs. Brownsville Lopez, 10:30 a.m.
Game 20: La Loya Palmview vs. PSJA Memorial, noon
Game 23: Hidalgo vs. Brownsville Hanna, 1:30 p.m.
Game 26: Black Pool 1 vs. White Pool 2, 3:15 p.m.
Game 29: White Pool 1 vs. Black Pool 2, 4:45 p.m.
Game 32: White Pool 3 vs. Black Pool 4, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday’s Games
At La Joya High
Game 33: Loser Game 25 vs. Loser Game 28, 10:30 a.m.
Game 36: Winner Game 25 vs. Winner Game 28, noon
Game 39: Loser Game 33 vs. Loser Game 34, 1:30 p.m.
Game 42: Consolation Gold, Winner Game 33 vs. Winner Game 34, 3 p.m.
Game 45: Third Place Game, Loser Game 36 vs. Loser Game 37, 4:30 p.m.
Game 48: Championship Gold, Winner Game 36 vs. Winner Game 37, 6 p.m.

At La Joya Juarez-Lincoln
Game 35: Loser Game 27 vs. Loser Game 40, 10:30 a.m.
Game 38: Loser Game 31 vs. Loser Game 32, noon
Game 41: Winner Game 27 vs. Winner Game 30, 1:30 p.m.
Game 43: Loser Game 35 vs. Loser Game 38, 3 p.m.
Game 46: Consolation Silver, Winner Game 35 vs. Winner Game 38, 4:30 p.m.

At La Joya Palmview
Game 34: Loser Game 26 vs. Loser Game 29, 10:30 a.m.
Game 37: Winner Game 26 vs. Winner Game 29, noon
Game 40: Winner Game 31 vs. Winner Game 32, 1:30 p.m.
Game 44: Third Place Silver, Loser Game 40 vs. Loser Game 41, 3:30 p.m.
Game 47: Championship Silver, Winner Game 40 vs. Winner Game 41, 5 p.m.

Weslaco ISD Mid-Valley Classic Tournament
Nov. 12-14
Pool No.1: Brownsville Porter, Brownsville Veterans Memorial, Edinburg Vela, Laredo United South, Mercedes
Pool No. 2: Brownsville Pace, Laredo Cigarroa, Los Fresnos, Mission Veterans Memorial, Weslaco High
Pool No. 3: Donna High, Edinburg High, Santa Rosa, Sharyland High, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy
Pool No. 4: Weslaco East, Edcouch-Elsa, Brownsville First Baptist, Harlingen South, Laredo Nixon

Thursday’s Games
At Weslaco East Main Gym
Game 1: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 40, Santa Rosa 24
Game 5: Harlingen South 43, Laredo Nixon 37
Game 9: Donna High 33, Santa Rosa 22
Game 13: Weslaco East 54, Harlingen South, 34
Game 17: Edinburg High 56, Donna High 15

At Mary Hoge Middle School
Game 2: Weslaco East 63, Brownsville First Baptist 18

At Weslaco High Main Gym
Game 3: Weslaco High 90, Brownsville Pace 35
Game 7: Laredo Cigarroa 56, Los Fresnos 43
Game 11: Mercedes 60, Brownsville Porter 22
Game 15: Laredo United South 62, Edinburg Vela 36
Game 19: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 46, Mercedes 33

At Weslaco High Practice Gym
Game 4: Laredo United South 70, Brownsville Porter 12
Game 8: Brownsville Veterans Memorial 42, Edinburg Vela 40
Game 12: Brownsville Pace 43, Mission Veterans Memorial 38
Game 16: Weslaco High 51, Los Fresnos 30
Game 20: Laredo Cigarroa 46, Mission Veterans Memorial 41

At Weslaco East Practice Gym
Game 6: Sharyland High 44, Edinburg High 41
Game 10: Edcouch-Elsa 47, Brownsville First Baptist 29
Game 14: Sharyland High 47, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy 42
Game 18: Laredo Nixon 51, Edcouch-Elsa 36

Friday’s Games
At Weslaco East Main Gym
Game 21: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy vs. Donna High, 9 a.m.
Game 25: Brownsville First Baptist vs. Laredo Nixon, 10:45 a.m.
Game 29: Donna High vs. Sharyland High, 12:30 p.m.
Game 33: Laredo Nixon vs. Weslaco East, 2:15 p.m. Game 37: Sharyland High vs. Santa Rosa, 4 p.m.

At Cuellar Middle School
Game 22: Weslaco East vs. Edcouch-Elsa, 9 a.m.

At Weslaco High Main Gym
Game 23: Weslaco High vs. Mission Veterans, 9 a.m.
Game 27: Brownsville Pace vs. Laredo Cigarroa, 10:45 a.m.
Game 31: Mercedes vs. Edinburg Vela, 12:30 p.m.
Game 35: Brownsville Veterans Memorial vs. Laredo United South, 2:15 p.m.
Game 39: Mercedes 60, Brownsville Porter 22

At Weslaco High Practice Gym
Game 24: Laredo United South vs. Mercedes, 9 a.m.
Game 28: Brownsville Porter vs. Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 10:45 a.m.
Game 32: Mission Veterans Memorial vs. Los Fresnos, 12:30 p.m.
Game 36: Laredo Cigarroa vs. Weslaco High, 2:15 p.m.
Game 40: Los Fresnos vs. Brownsville Pace, 4 p.m.

At Weslaco East Main Gym
Game 25: Brownsville First Baptist vs. Laredo Nixon, 10:45 a.m.
Game 29: Donna High vs. Sharyland High, 12:30 p.m.
Game 33: Laredo Nixon vs. Weslaco East, 2:15 p.m.
Game 37: Sharyland High vs. Santa Rosa, 4 p.m.

At Weslaco East Practice Gym
Game 26: Santa Rosa vs. Edinburg High, 10:45 a.m.
Game 30: Edcouch-Elsa vs. Harlingen South, 12:30 p.m.
Game 34: Edinburg High vs. Brownsville St. Joseph Academy, 2:15 p.m.
Game 38: Harlingen South vs. Brownsville First Baptist, 4 p.m.

Saturday’s Games
At Weslaco High Practice Gym
Game 41: Pool 1 No. 5 vs. Pool 3 No. 5, 9 a.m.
Game 45: Pool 1 No. 3 vs. Pool 3 No. 3, 10:45 a.m.
Game 51: Consolation Third Place, Loser Game 41 vs. Loser Game 42, 12:30 p.m.

At Weslaco East Practice Gym
Game 42: Pool 2 No. 4 vs. Pool 4 No. 5, 9 a.m.
Game 46: Pool 2 No. 3 vs. Pool 4 No. 3, 10:45 a.m.
Game 49: Pool 1 No. 1 vs. Pool 3 No. 1, 12:30 p.m.
Game 52: Consolation First Place, Winner Game 41 vs. Winner Game 42, 2:15 p.m.
Game 55: Loser Game 45 vs. Loser Game 46, 4 p.m.
Game 57: Loser Game 47 vs. Loser Game 48, 5:45 p.m.
Game 59: Loser Game 49 vs. Loser Game 50, 7:30 p.m.

At Weslaco High Main Gym
Game 43: Pool 1 No. 4 vs. Pool 3 No. 4, 9 a.m.
Game 47: Pool 1 No. 2 vs. Pool 3 No. 2, 10:45 a.m.
Game 53: Loser 43 vs. Loser 44, 12:30 p.m.

At Weslaco East Main Gym
Game 44: Pool 2 No. 4 vs. Pool 4 No. 4, 9 a.m.
Game 48: Pool 2 No. 2 vs. Pool 4 No. 2, 10:45 a.m.
Game 50: Pool 2 No. 1 vs. Pool 4 No. 1, 12:30 p.m.
Game 54: Winner Game 43 vs. Winner Game 44, 2:15 p.m.
Game 56: Winner Game 45 vs. Winner Game 45, 4 p.m.
Game 58: Winner Game 47 vs. Winner Game 48: 5:45 p.m.
Game 60:, Championship Game, Winner Game 49 vs. Winner Game 50, 7:30 p.m.

BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

WESLACO — With a seven-point lead and less than two minutes remaining, Miguel Santos couldn’t help but ponder the worst case scenario.

“We were just scared,” the Weslaco East senior linebacker said. “We were thinking, ‘Man, can this be our last game?’”

Though East appeared on the brink of collapse, a timely defensive stand prolonged the Wildcats season as they defeated Brownsville Veterans Memorial 21-20 during Friday’s bi-district game at Bobby Lackey Stadium.

East advances to the area round and awaits the winner of Del Rio-La Joya Palmview.

In a game that pitted two of the Valley’s more efficient offensive units against one another, points came at a premium as sloppy play and punts abounded. Weslaco East punted to Veterans with 2:12 left on the clock and a 21-14 lead to its advantage.

With the ball on the 1-yard line, the Chargers, led by senior quarterback Marcus Castillo, went 94 yards in two minutes, ripping off big plays and using the sideline to their advantage. With 12 seconds left, Castillo stomped into the end zone to pull Veterans within one point.

“I thought we were going to choke out and lose the game,” Santos said.

Chargers coach David Cantu called timeout to draw up a two-point conversion in hopes of advancing to the area round.

“We came here to Weslaco East to win,” Cantu said. “I don’t have any regrets about the decision.”

With Castillo lined up as a receiver, he stood motionless during the play’s opening seconds before sprinting on a screen route towards the end zone before Joshua Alaniz lobbed the ball his way. Castillo bobbled the ball on the 1-yard line before dropping it as he was hit by East defenders, giving the win to the Wildcats.

“When (Castillo) took off, I could see one of our guys in the back slip,” East defensive coordinator Rene Guzman said. “It was one of those things where everything was going in slow motion. The pass took forever to get there, but our kids converged and just made the hit.”

The Wildcats’ defensive stand was indicative of their entire first-half performance. Though Veterans entered averaging over 400 yards of offense and 36 points per game, the Chargers (7-4) were scoreless through the first two quarters.

“We wanted to shorten the game up,” East coach Mike Burget said. “We wanted to run the ball and kill clock and limit their possessions. But our defense did a great job as well.”

East’s first defensive highlight came from senior Ciro Rojas, who intercepted Castillo late in the first quarter and returned the ball 33 yards to give the Wildcats a first down on the Chargers 29-yard line. Four plays later, senior running back Emilio Tamez burst into the end zone from 14 yards out to collect his second of three touchdowns on the night.

“Ciro has played tremendous for us in every game this season,” Burget said. “He does so many things for us and does each of them so well, whether it’s running for touchdowns, catching touchdowns, returning kickoffs or getting interceptions. If he isn’t one of the Valley’s best players, I don’t know who is.”

CHARGING AHEAD AFTER THE BREAK
The Chargers’ offense rediscovered its potency in the second half. On their first drive of the third quarter, Castillo rushed for 52 yards and set up an 11-yard touchdown run from Carlos Garza to put Veterans on the board 14-7 with 7:41 left in the period.

Though Castillo threw his second interception of the night to East’s JC Vargas, Castillo responded on the team’s ensuing possession with a 14-yard score.

Castillo finished with 131 passing yards on 12-of-24 attempts in addition to 188 rushing yards and two scores on 24 carries.

TAMEZ, TAMEZ, TAMEZ
Emilio Tamez finished the regular season as the leading rusher in District 31-6A with 1,250 yards. He kept a similar pace compared to his per game average, rushing for 171 yards on 24 carries. Through 10 games, Tamez has scored 18 touchdowns, second-best on the Wildcats (8-2) behind Rojas.

Tamez’s third touchdown gave East 21-7 lead with 11:48 in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT
The venue for East’s area round matchup hinges on the opponent they face. If Del Rio defeats La Joya Palmview on Saturday, the Wildcats will likely travel to the San Antonio area. If Palmview is victorious, East will host the Lobos at Bobby Lackey Stadium.

Palmview and East met in the area round a season ago, with the Wildcats winning 56-6.

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BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

The PSJA North Raiders were no strangers to the end zone during the regular season, averaging close to 400 yards of offense and scoring 30 points per game. But as North readies for Friday’s bi-district game against San Benito at Bobby Morrow Stadium, coach Jorge Peña is focused on the smaller but not less trivial elements.

“The way I look at it, I just want to get one first down at a time and get some stops on defense,” Peña said. “We have to get turnovers and not lose the kicking game. We need to win the kicking game. Anywhere to find an edge here and there.”

Finding an edge against the Greyhounds (8-2, 6-1 District 32-6A) will be tough. San Benito racks up 390 yards of offense per game behind quarterback J.R. Gaitain, and has a defense that limits opponents to 290 yards per game.

Through the air and on the ground, Gaitain has combined for 2,207 yards and 29 touchdowns. The Greyhounds run the spread offense, and though they possess the ability to throw, Peña sees an old-fashioned offensive scheme.

“They run the spread to run the ball,” Peña said. “They’ll throw it to keep you honest, and they throw some high-percentage passes. But they want to control the ball on the ground. Their offensive line is as big and as talented as we’ve seen all season. We’ve got to recognize their formations, be disciplined and block and tackle. Whoever best executes will win the game.”

PSJA North finished the regular season with a 5-5 overall record and went 4-2 in district play.

JUDGEMENT CALL
For the first time in four years, Edinburg North is staying home during the postseason. A 35-28 loss to Edinburg Economedes in Week 11 eliminated the Cougars from the final playoff spot in 31-6A.

“There were a lot of little things that could have gone our way but just didn’t,” coach Rene Saenz said. “There was one play in particular that hurt us. Our safety, John Mendoza, has 11 interceptions on the season. He looks to make a play on the ball, but he just misses it, and instead it becomes a tipped pass to a receiver who scores.”

The Cougars (3-7, 2-4) had the ball during the game’s final minutes and were marching down field in an attempt to save their season. Quarterback Cristian Espinoza found receiver Ubaldo Pequeño open in the end zone for a game-tying score, but officials ruled Pequeño never had possession of the ball.

“You hate to see it come down to a judgment call like that,” Saenz said. “To play your whole season and have everything hinge on the perspective of one person, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
Sanez says if the touchdown had stood, he would have gone for a game-winning two point conversion instead of an extra point to force overtime.

“I had so much confidence in the kids and their ability to score,” Saenz said. “I thought we were going to get it.”

BIRDS AND CATS
Edinburg Economedes is in the playoffs for the third time in five years under coach Gabe Peña. The Jaguars play Harlingen High in Harlingen tonight at 7:30. Econ (5-5, 3-3) boasted the best statistical defense in 31-6A, allowing just 258 yards per game.

Harlingen High, along with San Benito and Los Fresnos, went 6-1 in District 32-6A and won a share of the district championship.

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The Monitor Sports reporters Dennis Silva II, Mario Aguirre, Greg Luca and Jon R. LaFollette preview every Valley playoff game for the bi-district round.

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MISSION — Anna Marshall began her junior season with a highlight play. Employing misdirection and a smooth touch, Marshall juked her way to an open layup and the first bucket of the season for the Sharyland High Lady Rattlers.

“My dad filmed all my games last year,” Marshall said. “I would always go back and watch, and I saw a lot of highlights and lowlights. I only had one play like that all of last year, and that’s something I wanted to get better at.”

Marshall, a 6-foot-1 post, worked her way into the starting rotation a season ago and enters this year as the Lady Rattlers’ offensive focal point. Marshall touched the ball early and often during Sharyland’s 53-48 win over McAllen Memorial at Sharyland High before ending the night with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Making Marshall’s production more impressive was her opponent, McAllen Memorial post Ebony Johnson, one of the few Valley players with the size to guard Marshall one-on-one.

“I’m glad she went up against someone who can guard her,” Sharyland coach Dale Whitaker said. “That’s a good test for her this early in the season.”

Johnson spent much of the first half in foul trouble but still finished with 12 points and nine boards. The Lady Mustangs (0-1) were without post Draik Banks, who is still in volleyball season. While Memorial missed its second big, the Lady Rattlers (1-0) brought two.

With just one day of practice under her belt upon her return from Sharyland volleyball, senior Maddie Garza appeared to not miss a beat, scoring 13 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out four assists.
“I was really excited to play,” Garza said. “…It still hasn’t hit me yet that volleyball season is over, but I was excited to go out there and play today.”

Though Marshall led the team in scoring, Garza’s role was just as intricate to the Lady Rattlers win. While Marshall spent the night owning the paint, Garza camped out on the wing where she created space for her fellow big or found guards cutting to the basket.

One such guard was senior Sonia Trevino, who finished with 11 points, including seven in the third quarter.

Sharyland led for much of the night and outscored Memorial in the first three quarters before giving up 20 points in the game’s final period to make the scoreboard appear closer than the game actually was.
“I want to see us finish better,” Whitaker said. “We committed a lot of fouls there at the end and turned the ball over a couple of times.”

Memorial was led in scoring by Victoria Izaguirre with 24 points, including a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line.

“We started out a little rusty, but it’s early in the season,” Izaguirre said. “Things got better as we went along… We just need to get better at communication. We need to talk more. We’re moving the ball well, we just need to look inside a little bit more.”

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