By MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer

For nearly one decade, the St. Joseph Bloodhounds football team was as much of a model of success and offensive excitement as there was in the Rio Grande Valley.

Though winning felt almost automatic, the Bloodhounds felt brought back down to earth after a disappointing 2018.

This year won’t be any easier for SJA as it tries to overcome a youthful team and dwindling enrollment numbers while making changes from the ground up.

“ It’s a totally different vibe than last year,” SJA coach Tino Villarreal said. “These kids don’t expect anything; they have that chip on their shoulder where they want to earn everything. Last year, there was a sense of complacency from the top down, starting with me and the coaching staff. We believed that we could step on the field and still produce like we had in the past. I think that the reality has set in that that’s just not the case — that’s not reality. The reality is that our school is getting smaller, our numbers are getting smaller and we’re going to have to work our tail off because we’re playing schools four times our size.”

The turnout was reflected on the field with approximately 30 players in pads Tuesday after workouts began last Thursday.

Still, Villarreal isn’t focusing on the turnout, especially with the effort from the small numbers dressed out being turned all the way up.

“ Simply getting on the field and competing isn’t a given,” he said. “You have to earn that every day in practice. The attitude, starting with that chip on your shoulders, is different. Hard work, intensity and a great attitude is out there, and you can feel it.”

The journey to put the program back on track is a long one, especially with new schemes and large crop of new players attempting to mesh with 12 returning starters — six on each side of the ball.

One of those back is offensive tackle Blake Fowkes — one of four returning players along the offensive line — who said the mentality has changed right before his eyes early on.

“ It’s definitely a lot better than last year because it feels like people care more this year,” the junior tackle said. “We’re more hyped up and excited about this year. Last year everyone was excited, but this year you feel something different. I think we’re doing very well. Last season, it didn’t feel like we meshed very well together or really as a team. This year, we already feel like we’re family.”

A fresh face taking it all in is Bajram Derviscvic, whose size and ability has made him a solid candidate as an option in the Bloodhounds’ passing attack.

The first-year player said that though he wasn’t on the team last year, he hopes to help right the wrong and take on all comers with his teammates.

“ We have a chip on our shoulder, definitely,” Derviscvic said. “That’s an understatement. It’s us against everybody pretty much. We know that all we have is ourselves and we’re going to fight for one another as a team. That’s all we can do.”

By MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER

HARLINGEN — High school football practices are less than two weeks away, but Harlingen High players and coaches were out on the field this week in an effort to help shape and influence potential future varsity athletes.

Junior high kids from Harlingen and surrounding communities took part in 2019 Future Champs Camp presented by the Cardinals coaching staff Wednesday and Thursday at the Harlingen High School mini stadium.

The annual two-day camp, which was moved from Boggus Stadium to the high school mini stadium this year, featured 35 participants and covered defensive and offensive drills to help the young athletes improve on everything from footwork to running routes.

Harlingen High head coach/athletic coordinator Manny Gomez said the turnout wasn’t large, but was pleased with the turnout and getting the opportunity to share the camp’s message of being a champion while having a good time.

“It’s still a great turnout whether we have 35, 3,500 or three — we’re going to come out here and coach these kids up and have some fun more importantly,” Gomez said. “Today we talked about comparing and competing. When you compare, you become bitter and when you compete, you become better. That’s what we’re trying to do. Individually, you have to refocus, work and collectively, it’s all got to come together. They’re young and they still understand the importance of the grind, but eventually it’s a collective effort you want to eventually create and maintain.”

Campers received a camp shirt and at camp’s end were given their stat card with individual results in areas like the 40-yard dash and broad jump recorded by the camp coaches.

While the coaches and campers enjoyed the scene during the camp, volunteers from the Cardinal varsity football team were out lending a hand.

One of those was cornerback Isaia Lizcano, who took solace in being able to give back through his time and teaching.

“Growing up, I never had the opportunity to come to camps like this,” the Cardinal defender said. “I was always a basketball player and not really a football player. As I grew, I learned through being out here with these kids is that they have a lot of energy and they just want to have a lot of fun. It’s just about being out here so they can see us because we’re role models to them. I’m out here because I want to help them; they’re future Cards.”

Going forward, Gomez hopes the camp can grow and draw interest from more Rio Grande Valley communities

“One thing we hope to do is put more effort to market these camps in the spring,” the Harlingen coach said. “That way the community, not just in Harlingen, but surrounding areas, can come out here and have some fun and learn a few things. For sure we want them to start looking forward to the camp by the end of May from now on. That’s how we want to market I so, hopefully, we can get our numbers up high.”

By MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER

In four seasons with the Lopez varsity softball program, Alex Castro left her mark as a power hitter and an all-around solid defensive player, helping lead the Lady Lobos to new heights and success.

Castro now will look to achieve the same type of success on the softball field at the next level after officially signing her letter of intent with Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon at Lopez High School.

Getting to signing day was a long, strenuous process for Castro, but she felt a weight lift off her shoulders as well as a sense of pride come over her after finally signing on the dotted line.

“It was really tiring, but a lot of people helped me go through this and right now, I’m relieved that I have signed and I’m ready to start a new chapter in my life,” she said. “Signing today has just shown me that I can start a new life. I need to do what I have to do and, hopefully, just show people here in the Rio Grande Valley that they can also make it.”

Castro leaves behind quite the resume at Lopez after racking up multiple All-District 32-5A accolades as well as being named the Brownsville Herald’s Offensive Player of the Year three out of four seasons.

She, along with twin sister Lexi, was instrumental in pumping life into the Lopez softball program, leading it to its first postseason berth in 2017.

For head coach Jesse Martinez, watching Castro sign was a big moment for him and the program.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “It’s a bright moment in the program. She worked so hard and we worked so hard with her to get her to this point. It was a goal as soon as she walked in here four years ago; she wanted to play college ball. She had to go through the program and do what she had to do for four years and she did it well. She’s an excellent student and phenomenal athlete…I know she’s going to be successful.”

Castro now will take her talents to Central Methodist, which plays in the NAIA Division II American Athletic Conference, and is capable of adding power to any lineup and is a versatile defensive player.

In her senior season, Castro recorded a .519 batting average with 32 RBIs, 26 runs scored and a pair of home runs. She also posted a 12-10 pitching record to go with 156 strikeouts, 4.136 ERA and a .963 fielding percentage at third base.

Martinez said Castro should be able to plug right in as a starter, but that will ultimately depend on her work ethic.

“She can probably start if given the opportunity,” Martinez said. “She needs to get in condition and work on her skills and start now. If she gets in good shape and maintains that throughout the fall, I think she’s going to be OK come spring. My opinion is that she will be a starter.

“Then again, I’m her coach and I’m a little biased,” Martinez joked. “Yeah, I think she’ll be alright.”

Castro knows sticking out at the college level will be easier said than done, but will be willing to use every part of her skillset to get an opportunity.

“Bringing something new to the table is really hard,” she said. “Hopefully I can bring anything that (Central Methodist) will need. If they need a third baseman or a pitcher — anything they need really. Hopefully, I can fill that spot in.”

While Castro is prepared for what awaits her on the softball field, she said finding her way is the what’s nerve-wracking, especially having to start from scratch after being one of the faces of the Lopez program.

“I’m nervous right now because I’m going to have to start all over again meeting new people and hopefully making my own path by not following anybody,” she said. “That includes being my own person and telling myself what I have to do.”

MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER

SANTA ROSA — After leading the Santa Rosa Warriors to a second consecutive state tournament appearance in 2018, AB Lozoya went off to Kilgore College where he spent two semesters as a student and basketball team manager.

Though it was a good spot to be in, Lozoya felt his place was on the court.

“I didn’t like being the manager at all,” he said. “I felt I could’ve been playing. That pretty much just motivated me. Even though I felt like I should, I told myself that next year, I want to be there.”

Lozoya took the next steps toward getting back on the court when he signed his letter of intent to play for Southwest Junior College in Uvalde on Wednesday afternoon at Santa Rosa High School.

The opportunity came when former teammate Leo Lara and his father Andy Lara helped Lozoya get in touch with South Texas Ballers coach Juan Galvan, who had a relationship with the Southwest Texas program and helped get the ball rolling.

“Leo’s dad and his family knew I wanted to play, so he tried to make some calls and tried to find someone who could help me out with that,” Lozoya recalled. “We ended up finding (Galvan) in McAllen who was willing to help. He made a few contacts from the San Antonio area and I was lucky enough to get a callback.”

Lozoya was a four-year varsity starter with Santa Rosa, where he helped lead the Warriors to four district titles, three Region IV-3A tournament appearances and back-to-back trips to the state tournament.

The former Warrior also racked up multiple district and area accolades.

Santa Rosa head coach Johnny Cipriano said Lozoya putting pen to paper was not only a happy feeling, but a weight off his shoulders knowing his former point guard will get a shot despite his 5-foot-2-inch frame.

“I know we tried very hard to get him to go play somewhere,” the Santa Rosa coach said. “A lot of people look at his stature and say ‘5-2, what can he do,’ but I’ve always felt he has an extremely big heart, he’s got a lot of talent and his basketball I.Q. is off the charts. I know he can play; it was just a matter of getting him that opportunity to play. Hopefully he’s going to go over there and open up some eyes and show them what he can do and what we all know he can do.”

Southwest Texas plays in the South Texas Club Sports League and is coached by Phillip Botello.

Lozoya doesn’t know too much about his new program or what to expect, but one thing he does know is that he’ll be ready.

“I’m extremely excited to get back to playing an actual game and not just open gym,” Lozoya said. “I’ve been waiting for this moment, so I’m hoping I’ll be fine. I’m just hoping to come in, get minutes if I can and if not, keep working hard as I can.”

By MARK MOLINA| Staff Writer

SAN BENITO — After making multiple stops in the last week, the Texas A&M Kingsville football camp made its way to the Rio Grande Valley.

The annual event set up shop at San Benito’s Bobby Morrow Stadium for the second year in a row Thursday morning and was met with a large turnout, showing Texas A&M Kingsville head football coach Daren Wilkinson that the passion for Texas high school football is just as strong in the RGV.

“We went last week up to camps in Houston and San Antonio and we had a camp at our campus earlier this week,” he said. “Now, we’re down in the Valley. The thing that’s awesome coaching football in the State of Texas is that high school football, no matter where you are, is king. The kids all love to play and they come out and work hard in the heat with the sun beating down on them. They come out and have fun. I love coming out to these camps and seeing these kids run around, work and get some good learning in.”

Despite high temperatures, more than 120 kids, ranging from grades seventh through 12 th , turned out to participate in the two-hour camp.

The TAMUK coaching staff covered quarterback drills, skill position play, offensive and defensive line play, secondary techniques and even some kicking in the short time frame.

The camp tour this week kicked off on Tuesday on the Texas A&M Kingsville campus, moved to San Benito Thursday morning and finished at McAllen’s DQ Fan Field with a 4 to 6 p.m. session.

Though the camps have been ­short, Wilkinson said he hopes to leave a lasting impression on the local athletes that come out.

There’s not a ton of time to teach a ton of things,” he said. “We do want to teach them fundamentals. These kids are at the age where they learn things very quickly, so we want to teach them the basic ways to do things and the correct ways to do things. That’s our goal, that they leave with just one thing learned and that they get better at one thing today and they’re a better football player.”­

The lower Valley was well represented Thursday as kids from Mercedes, Brownsville and everywhere in between were in attendance.

San Benito athletic coordinator Ramiro Partida said the turnout from surrounding cites was a big positive for not only San Benito, but for RGV football.

“We’re trying to promote the Rio Grande Valley to the next level and having these coaches coming down here maybe gives these kids an opportunity, Partida said. “Sometimes these kids don’t know what’s out there. So by having this little camp, they feel good about themselves and even put their name out there. Some of our kids got to the next level because of these camps. So we’re excited to have hosted again and hopefully we can do this for the next couple of years.”

By MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer

In recent years, the last name Ruiz-Balli has been synonymous with throwing success in Pace girls track & field.

Yesenia Ruiz-Balli signed her letter of intent to throw for Texas A&M University Kingsville in 2014, and younger sister Gertrudis did the same in 2017.

That trend continued as Esmerelda Ruiz-Balli followed in her older sisters’ footsteps and signed her Division I letter of intent to throw for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley during a ceremony Thursday at Pace.

“It’s exciting, something new and something I’ve dreamed about,” Esmerelda said. “For me, it’s an accomplishment for me, my family, every coach and friend that has been with me, and for my school, too.”

Throwing has been a throwing tradition for the Ruiz-Balli sisters, who have multiple district championships, regional appearances and one state medal between them in shot put and discus, but signing on the dotted line to throw in college or even make track & field a focus was far from a forgone conclusion when it came to Esmerelda.

But once the senior committed to it, she could not think of better athletes to look up to than her eldest siblings.

“(Getting here) was hard,” Esmerelda said. “My sisters have been my role models because they’re throwers who compete at A&M Kingsville. Watching them be successful was something that I wanted to do, too. At the beginning I didn’t want to do it, because sisters don’t always go together. At the end, I started loving the sport and it was something I had to do for me. I wanted to prove to myself that I’m good enough and that I could do it, and I worked hard. The hardest part was getting here, and I’m already there.”

Esmerelda put together quite a career at Pace, winning a District 32-5A title in the discus and qualifying for the District 31/32-5A area meet three times in both the discus and shot put. She also qualified to the regional meet one time in the discus.

Esmerelda has even traveled and competed in Mexico’s National Olympiad, where she placed sixth, adding not only to her list of accomplishments but forging many new relationships, contributing to an already fulfilling track & field experience she will remember for years to come.

“I learned to love sport,” she said. “It brought so many friendships, and I learned so much from it. I have that experience and even got to travel to Mexico, and I even met Olympic thrower Diego Del Real, who got fourth place at the Olympics, so being his friend is cool.”

Now, Esmerelda will compete with UTRGV, which finished fourth at the Western Athletic Conference Championships earlier this month.

In addition to throwing, Esmerelda is expected to take up the hammer throw while working with throwing coach Brad Foote, who was a big reason why the Pace standout chose UTRGV.

“I met the coach and I know his background,” Esmerelda said. “I know he works really hard with his athletes and believes in his athletes. To me, that’s going to be a good experience. I want to feel like the coach believes in me. I want them to train me, tell me what to do and even tell me what to eat. I want to know what that’s like.”

Pace interim girls track coach Frank Garza said Esmerelda is ready for the next level, citing her enthusiasm and work ethic as her strongest traits.

“I think what separates her from a lot of athletes is her dedication and work ethic,” he said. “She’s just worked tremendously in the weight room in the offseason. She always wants to improve and better her sisters. She’s always wanted to get to this point and earn that college scholarship, and further her education and chances of continuing in this sport. Track has opened up doors for her and she has just grown. She’s enjoyed the recognition she’s gotten and she knows this is where she belongs, and it’s what’s going to get her to the next level and get her postsecondary education. … She believes in herself.

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

Better than going alone to college on a soccer scholarship is going with a friend who is a teammate from high school.

Rivera senior soccer players Marlen Mendieta and Hailey Pena signed athletic scholarship agreements Thursday at the school auditorium to play their sport next school year at Texas College in Tyler. It’s an NAIA Division I school that competes in the Red River Athletic Conference.

Both have played varsity soccer for most, if not all, their high school years after learning to play the game at an early age.

Thursday was a day of celebration for the two players, their families, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone else present.

Getting an opportunity to play soccer at the next level is a dream come true for both girls.

“ This is really exciting,” said Mendieta, a defender and defensive midfielder for the Lady Raiders. “It’s something I really wasn’t expecting, but it’s here, and I’m really glad to be signing.”

Added Pena, who started two seasons at Hanna before transferring to Rivera and starting two more years as a forward, “This day means a lot to me, especially because I didn’t (originally) believe I would be able to sign after suffering some injuries. But thank God, I was able to do it, so this moment is what I’ve been waiting for ever since I learned how to kick a soccer ball.

“ I know I’ll face some challenges over there in Tyler (adapting to college ball),” Pena added. “And I know I’m going to be able to overcome them so I can move on to the next level of soccer after college.”

Pena plans to major in forensic science and computer science. Mendieta plans to pursue a degree in social work.

Going to Texas College together to play soccer is an ideal situation, they say.

“ (Having Hailey sign too) makes it a lot easier to go over there,” Mendieta said. “It’s always good to know someone (in a new place). I’ve met most of the girls from the team, which is good.

“ I’m really proud I was able to play with the Lady Raiders,” Mendieta added. “It helped me build a family with the team. You need family wherever you go.”

Added Pena, “I’m pretty excited that I’m going over there to Tyler with Marlen. She’ll make me feel like I’m at home because I’m taking a part of Brownsville with me.”

Pena had a particular person in mind to credit at Thursday’s signing event.

“ I’d really just like to thank my dad (David Pena) because without him, I wouldn’t be here (signing) after suffering my injuries,” she said.

This was Eduardo Torres’ first season as the Lady Raiders’ main coach after serving as the team’s assistant the previous year. Thursday marked the signing of his first college recruits.

“ It feels excellent with this being my first year as the head coach and signing two players,” Torres said. “It’s all because of the hard work they’ve put in out on the field. They never stopped believing and they never stopped trying. What can I say? These two are excellent athletes. They are also excellent people, and I just want to congratulate them for all their hard work, not only on the field, but off the field as well.

“ Marlen is very aggressive playing on defense,” Torres added. “She goes for every ball and knows how to use her body well (as a defender). Hailey is a striker. (Still) you can always count on her to be the first one defending off the ball when the other team is trying to attack, even though she’s an offensive player.

“ If you give Hailey the ball, she’s going to score. She does not give up. Hailey’s hard-headed that way, but it’s what makes her an excellent player.”

By MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer

For the first time since 2013, the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers threw on the football pads for spring football.

The Chargers held their final practice Tuesday, and coach David Cantu and company were in high spirits.

With the finale being Thursday night’s spring game, preparation has allowed players to try new things out on the field.

“ Getting ready for the spring game has gotten everybody out of their comfort zone,” the Chargers’ coach said. “We have the coaching staff split and we have the kids doing things out of their norm, which I think is fantastic. There might come a situation where one of our defensive kids may have to come in and play offense, and vice versa. It’s going to be good for us.”

The decision to even participate in spring ball was heavily influenced by the newly elected team captains.

As a result, the Chargers have had solid attendance numbers this spring, with 90 players out on the field Tuesday in preparation for the spring finale. They have been averaging near 115 throughout the month.

The numbers give the veterans a chance to not only sharpen their skills, but get a look at the up-and-coming players set to debut on the varsity roster in the fall.

“ This is my first time doing (spring ball) and it’s very good because we get to see what freshmen can do in the varsity setting,” junior defensive tackle Alejandro Villarreal said. “Some of these underclassmen just play freshmen ball, and it gives them an opportunity to see the competition so some of them can see if they can play at the next level.”

Villarreal plays on the defensive line and has taken a look at what is going to be a young, rebuilding offensive line.

Behind that rebuilding line will be returning quarterback Liam Longoria, who had a solid season this past fall in his first season as the full-time starter.

The junior quarterback has liked what he’s seen this spring.

“ Having a whole new set of lineman, I think they’ve improved a lot,” Longoria said. “Just having reps against the defense helps. If we don’t have our lineman blocking, we can’t really do anything. They’re a crucial part of our offense.”

Cantu said the offensive line coming along has been a good sign, but so has the team being able to address other team needs.

“ A lot of offensive questions have been answered,” Cantu said. “A lot of guys have stepped up and, for example, we never would have realized a guy like Adrian Ramirez was ideal at halfback for us. We’ve also been able to expand on what we’ve been able to do in our passing game. It was also big for our defensive ends to get more time, and they have. It’s been great, the kids have been enthusiastic and it’s been really competitive.”

That competitiveness will be on full display Thursday night during the Red-Blue game, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Brownsville Veterans Memorial football stadium.

The game will be played as a traditional scrimmage with kickoffs and punts, but they won’t be live.

Extra points and field goals will be kicked, so there will be a score as well as a winner at the end of the night. That means the friendly competition will be dialed all the way up.

“ There’s a lot at stake here,” Cantu said. “Some of these coaches have some friendly wagers, ‘lunch-on-me’ type of things. We will try to make it feel like a game as much as possible.”

By MARK MOLINA, Staff Writer

Throughout a 37-year football coaching career, Tony Villarreal III has experienced big games and racked up wins and championships.

Villarreal III also received multiple honors in that time, but his most recent recognition may be the one he values most after being honored by the Texas Senate on Thursday morning at the state capitol in Austin.

In Senate Resolution No. 359, which was read aloud by Texas Senator Eddie Lucio Sr., Villarreal III was recognized for his accomplished coaching career and induction to the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Hearing about the award was a pleasant surprise for the former coach, bringing him feelings he’s rarely felt.

“As the ceremony got closer I began to get nervous, really nervous,” Villarreal said. “I have ice water in my veins, I don’t get nervous, but I was nervous. I couldn’t figure out why, but it was just the grandness of it all, walking in the state capitol and the Senate floor. These men are some of the most powerful men in the state of Texas. They are sitting here passing laws that are going to impact you and I tomorrow, and they are taking time out to recognize me? The guy with the whistle? It was just so much and it’s probably one of the greatest honors that I’ve ever received.”

Villarreal III has had head coaching stints at Port Isabel, PSJA North, Hanna and Weslaco High, racking up 17 district championships (at least one with every program), 38 playoff wins a 197-107-4 record.

Also, he has had assistant coaching stops at McAllen High, Alice, PSJA High and Port Isabel from 1980 to 1989 before taking the helm for Port Isabel in 1990 and eventually leading the Tarpons to the state semifinal in 1994 after one of the most iconic seasons in RGV football history.

Villarreal III retired in 2016 after 11 seasons with Weslaco High, though he has not completely ridden off into the sunset just yet, hoping to make a return to the sidelines, which he is eligible to do in July of this year.

“I retired from the profession, but I’m eligible to get a full-time coaching job on July 1,” Villarreal III said. “Obviously there’s no coaching jobs available in July. We might have to wait until next January, and it’s a very small window from there to March, but I’m interested in coaching. But we’ll just see what happens. Hopefully, that’s an opportunity that comes along.”

Keeping the coaching itch alive for Villarreal III has been the leadership consulting he has done both on and off the field.

In 2017, Villarreal III was a football quality control consultant at La Joya High and since then has privately consulted and mentored several young coaches across the RGV.

“I try and help them with whatever situation they have,” Villarreal said. “I’m a big proponent of young people, and I really want the Valley to be super successful, whether it be athletics or academics.”

Villarreal III also does leadership consulting with his son, Anthony, who runs A.C. Villarreal Family Dental in Edinburg.

The former football coach said it’s a different venture, but he enjoys helping mold young professionals.

“I did a little bit of leadership consulting in La Joya, but now I’m doing the same thing with my son,” Villarreal III said. “It’s the same thing, just coaching a different profession, but with dental assistants, hygienists and other young professionals, showing how we can build a team and be successful. It’s a people game, you’re good at what you do. You can motivate, inspire and build a cohesive team, and that’s what we’re doing right now. We’ve really got a successful dental office, and I’m really proud of my son and my wife and all the people that work for us.”

By MARK MOLINA, Staff Writer

When La Feria senior golfer Andy Cortez steps out on the Plum Creek golf course in Kyle for the UIL state golf tournament, he will do so realizing it will be his high school swan song.

It will be bittersweet, but the La Feria golfer said he is ready and there is no place he would rather be.

“It’s my official last tournament as a high school player,” Cortez said. “Just trying to fathom that in my head right now is crazy. Obviously, I wouldn’t want to end it any other way than at state. But we’re not here just to play the tournament, we’re here to compete and stay in contention to be at the top. Mentally, I feel prepared. I’ve been working on every aspect of my game, short game through my long game. I feel mentally and physically prepared to be in contention.”

The tournament will begin this morning with a tee time of 9 a.m.

This will be Cortez’s second time at state, last making it as a sophomore in 2017.

Though the course is different this time around, La Feria golf coach David Briones expects Cortez to at least be familiar with the big stage, which is made all the more sweet with it being one of the final Rio Grande Valley sports still going.

“It’s a culmination of all the hard work, being one of the last teams standing in the Valley,” he said. “It’s been a reward for Andy and all the hard work he’s put in. This will be his second time around, so he knows a little bit more what to expect. I think it’ll be more relaxing for him since he knows he’d done it before. It’s a different course, but I feel he’s more ready for it this year than he was two years ago.”

There is expected rain in the forecast for the next two days, with high chances for morning showers on both days, including a 90 percent chance for Tuesday.

Briones said Cortez will be looking to give it all he’s got in Round 1 in case weather delays or even cancels the second round.

Even with the weather and a tough field, Cortez, who shot a two-day 149 at the regional tournament, isn’t too worried about anything else aside from just playing his game.

“I’m just there to play the course, I’m not there to compete against anyone,” Cortez said. “Whoever’s game it is on that day, it’s whoever’s game. As long as I’m playing well and playing against the course, controlling myself emotionally and going shot by shot, that’s all I can ask for. I’m not trying to get ahead of myself. I’m not there to worry about anyone else, I’m there just to worry about my game.”