KEVIN NARRO and MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer

Several East Valley football players got an opportunity to suit up and hit the football field this past Saturday in the 2nd Annual Texas High School All-Star Showcase Bowl at the South Side Stadium in San Antonio.

Representing the West squad from San Benito were quarterback Smiley Silva, wide receiver Juan Constante, defensive back Hector Avalos and linebacker John Daniel Gonzales.

Brownsville Veterans Memorial linebacker Jason Ambriz, defensive lineman Alex Villarreal and running back Mauricio Garza and Rivera’s Elian Hernandez represented the Brownsville area.

Despite the 31-7 loss to the East side, the seniors had an opportunity to showcase their skills.

“Coach (Dan) Gomez got a call from the coaching staff and we were able to take advantage of the opportunity,” Silva said. “It was a great experience playing with different teammates…they were from all over the state. We went out there and took in the experience. It was a chance for us to put our names out there for college scouts and I’m blessed that I was able to play another game with my San Benito teammates.”

The team was made up from teams from around the region, Calallen, San Antonio Wagner, O’Conner, Stevens and Madison to name a few.

“It was honestly an amazing experience,” Gonzales said. “We got to play with guys from across the state. There were guys with a lot of talent and it was surreal being able to play on the same field as them and being able to be on the same team.”

With Hernandez representing a Raiders team undergoing a culture change, first-year head coach Beto Leal said having his senior wideout play in an all-star game was a big step.

“We’re really proud of (Hernandez); it was well-deserved,” Leal said. “All year long during his senior year with a new coaching staff, he never missed a day of practice and he has a great work ethic, grades and has done everything he can do his senior year to play at the next level. To have a kid from Rivera playing in that all-star game gives other kids an opportunity to see that we’re trying to get things done over here and we have kids that can play at the next level — Elian showed it.”

Hernandez caught 26 passes for 451 yards and three scores this season to lead the Raiders.

Garza caught 19 passes for 392 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 184 yards and five more scores.

Silva put together a strong season for the Greyhound offense, racking up 1,519 yards passing with 13 touchdowns to go with 1,458 and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Constante led the San Benito offensive in catches with 45, yards with 845 and receiving touchdowns with nine.

Defensively, Gonzales led the defense in solo tackles with 109 and recorded nine tackles for loss. Avalos finished with 95 tackles on the year.

Villarreal tallied 49 total tackles (17 solo) and two sacks on the season, while Ambriz racked up 76 total tackles (33 solo), one interception, one sack and forced two fumbles.

MARK MOLINA and KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writers

The Hanna Golden Eagles may have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, but that didn’t stop senior defensive end Brandon Esteves for having another standout year.

Esteves once again led the charge for a young defense and was once of District 32-6A’s top players, earning him a spot on the 2019 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 6A all-state high school football team.

The Hanna lineman racked up 88 tackles, 25 for a loss and three sacks, earning him the distinction of the district’s co-defensive player of the year.

“ For me, (being all-state) it just means that I’ve been real consistent in my work ethic,” Esteves said. “I’ve been exponentially growing as a person and a football player. I’m just glad to make my family proud, my coaches proud and, most importantly, make myself proud.”

While the accolade was a pleasant surprise, Esteves said the true best part of the season was preparing younger players, namely sophomore defensive tackle Beto Garcia, to take the next step.

“ I honestly wasn’t expecting an all-state team, but getting to mold some of these players, like Beto Garcia, has been an honor,” Esteves said. “I know he’ll be great. He’s going to get it done and going to lead the defense now that I’m gone.”

Hanna coach Mark Guess said that Esteves’ selfless play and attitude is what has made him one of the most special player he’s come across.

“ Brandon is one of those guys who has goals and knows what he wants to do,” Hanna coach Mark guess said. “He knows what it takes to get where he wants to go. He had a great spring and a great summer in the offseason and he ended up wanting to have a great year for his team first. If that didn’t work out, he certainly wanted to have a great season for himself. There is not another kid on the defensive side of the ball that I’ve ever coached that has worked or played as hard as that guy did.”

Esteves left his mark on the Hanna football program and a second straight all-state nod was simply the cherry on top of a career, prompting him to feel just one way.

“ You know what it feels like?” Esteves asked. “Extravagant.”

Esteves wasn’t the only District 32-6A player to make the Class 6A second-team list as Harlingen High senior linebacker Gabriel Martinez and co-defensive player of the year also made the cut.

Martinez, recorded 146 tackles, 11 for loss, and five sacks to lead the Cardinals’ defense, was taken aback with the second-team nod.

“ I found out just scrolling on Facebook and seeing the all-state 6A list so I thought I’d give it a look,” he said. “I was in utter shock when I saw my name on the list. Shortly after I saw my name, I yelled out calling my mom and dad to tell them I got selected for the all-state team. The award means so much to me. It’s a testament to how hard I’ve worked, and it’s great to achieve some recognition for the time I’ve put in.

“ I thank the man upstairs, my whole family for their undying support throughout my life,” Martinez added. “My coaches throughout the years, Coach (Manny) Gomez and Coach (Scott) Swinnea for being there to guide me my high school career, and last but not least, my teammates. I love and thank them for everything.”

By MARK MOLINA, KEVIN NARRO AND STEFAN MODRICH

Staff Writers

After Week 3, both the Rivera Raiders and the Pace Vikings had a lot to smile about.

The Raiders snapped a 21-game losing streak with a 32-0 win over Valley View, making it their first win since they defeated Porter 35-14 to open the 2017 season.

Rivera (1-2) was led by its offensive trio of quarterback Chito Perez (16-14-1, 85 yards, TD), running back Ramiro Vega (16-73, TD) and receiver Elian Hernandez (1-21, TD).

Vega has now run for 361 yards and four scores in two weeks, which is good for second in the district.

Meanwhile, what was thought of as a young Pace Vikings squad is 2-0 in district after defeating Donna High 22-14 on the road.

It was the second time in two weeks that Pace (2-1, 2-0) squeezed out a one-possession win, defeating Porter 17-14 in Week 2.

Vikings senior running back Dylan Barron had his best game of the season against the Redskins, rushing for 141 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 30 carries. He rushed just 22 times for 92 yards during the team’s first two games.

GREYHOUNDS ROLL

San Benito showed off their speed and physical play last Thursday against PSJA High. The Greyhounds’ offense got big plays from senior quarterback Smiley Silva. Despite the slow start the big plays were timely from Silva.

On the first offensive snap, Silva hit Juan Constante for a 68-yard score, and on the first play of the second half, Silva out ran the defense for a 58-yard score.

All evening, the Greyhounds’ defense applied pressure by Aaron Reyes, John Daniel Gonzales and Mauricio Padilla. This week San Benito will have a change of pace not only on the schedule but on the field. The ’Hounds will take on Laredo United on Saturday at the Performing Arts Center in Laredo.

The Longhorns’ offense will be San Benito’s toughest test to date. The ’Horns are 2-1 like San Benito. United is averaging 37 points on offense and has won two straight.

BOUNCING BACK

Harlingen High will look to rebound after a road loss Friday at Converse Judson in San Antonio. The Cardinals will face former district rival Weslaco East on Friday at Bobby Lackey Stadium.

Last year, the Wildcats won a wild one 7-0. The Cardinals’ Joe Reyna returned a punt in what looked to be the tying score, but lost possession of the ball prior to the goal line, ending in a touchback. Weslaco East took possession and ran out the clock.

The Wildcats also are looking to rebound after a heartbreaking loss to Hanna on Saturday. The Wildcats missed the potential game-winning field goal to fall to 1-2 on the year.

Harlingen South seeks its second straight win Friday night when it plays host to Weslaco High. The Hawks and Panthers met last year, and the Panthers beat the Hawks 21-7.

FLYING FISH

Port Isabel running back Brayan Medina rushed for 133 yards on 25 carries in a 21-13 non-district loss last Friday at Hidalgo.

He led the way for the Tarpons (1-2) in defeat, and was also the game’s leader in all-purpose yardage. Medina has racked up 434 rushing yards in two games this season, and is averaging 7 yards per carry.

Quarterback Joey Kreighbaum completed eight of his 17 pass attempts against the Pirates (2-1), for a total of 65 yards. He averaged eight yards per completion and threw two touchdown passes and one interception.

Angel Nino had two touchdown catches and 19 receiving yards for Port Isabel in the loss.

Tito Zamarron, the Tarpons’ leading receiver with seven catches for 78 yards on the year, had two catches for 21 yards against Hidalgo.

Sophomore Gilbert Medina recorded two kickoff returns of 30 yards for Port Isabel.

The Pirates are coached by gave former longtime Port Isabel coach Monty Stumbaugh.

By MARK MOLINA AND KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writers

Week 1 provided some insight as to just how good some teams will be this season. While it is still a long season, the Harlingen High Cardinals and Harlingen South Hawks picked up Week 1 wins and San Benito’s comeback bid fell just shy against Corpus Christi Calallen.

Harlingen High found itself in an old-fashioned shootout against Sharyland Pioneer, opening the regular season with a 42-41 win. Senior quarterback Jaime Galvan took over the game for the Cards and ran wild for 201 yards on 17 attempts, scoring four times on the ground.

Galvan threw for two scores and one interception, going 21-28 with 188 yards. Fellow senior Rayden Berry also had a hand in the offensive output with 155 yards on 27 carries. As an offense, Big Red racked up 544 yards.

Up next is its regular-season home opener at 7 Thursday against Laredo United South. The Cards will look to make it three in a row against the Panthers when they come knocking.

Harlingen South opened its season with a bang, too. All offseason, the talk around camp was just how much the defense improved, and their speed. All that added up to a 24-0 win against Edinburg High.

The defense found the end zone with a fumble recovery for a score by senior linebacker Ethan Gonzalez. The Hawks’ defense stymied the Bobcats by yielding just 161.

On offense, Orlando Muniz led the rushing attack with 97 yards on 18 carries and one score. Up next is a road test at PSJA North. Last year, the Hawks clipped the Raiders with a late field goal off the foot of Jose Lerma.

San Benito, meanwhile, looks to rebound against Victoria West this Friday. The Greyhounds’ defense stood out against Calallen in Week 1. Despite giving up 260 rushing yards to the Wildcats, San Benito managed to stay in the game.

The offense had some balance under the direction of senior QB Smiley Silva, who threw for 155 yards and ran for 140 yards and two scores on 22 attempts. Senior wideout Juan Constante hauled in four passes for 104 yards and one score.

CHIN UP, RAIDERS

The Rivera Raiders may have let a shot at snapping a 19-game losing streak slip through their fingers last Friday night in a 26-21 loss to Brownsville Veterans Memorial, but they showed that there was plenty to be positive about.

A lot of that was shown on defense.

Rivera not only allowed just one scoring play through the first three quarters but also forced two turnovers.

The first came when linebacker Kristian Guerrero intercepted BVM’s Liam Longoria during the first quarter. The second came when defensive back Estevan Cruz recovered a fumble after Chargers’ receiver EJ Masten put the ball on the turf after a big hit near the Rivera goal line late in the first half.

The Raiders did give up a 70-yard touchdown pass play that ultimately lost them the game, but first-year coach Beto Leal will live with the effort given by the players and defensive coordinator Hugo Ramirez.

“Our defense is lights out,” Leal said. “They gave up a big play at the end, but you know darn well with (Ramirez’s) defense, you live by the blitz and die by the blitz. There was miscommunication on the coverage, but we’ll fix it.”

KAUACHI WORK

The St. Joseph Academy Bloodhounds got their season started on the right foot in a 39-33 overtime win against Grulla in Week 1, and it was thanks in large part to junior running back Malik Kauachi.

Kauachi put up big all-around numbers against the Gators, rushing for 222 yards on 25 carries for two touchdowns, and he returned the game’s opening kickoff 85 yards for a score.

In all, the junior back racked up 348 all-purpose yards.

SJA will look to start its season 2-0 when it plays host to Progreso this Friday night at Canales Field.