By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

EDINBURG — Brownsville’s boys soccer teams are accustomed to winning in the state playoffs.

In their matches, sometimes the victories come sooner, sometimes later.

The latter is what happened Saturday during Hanna’s Class 6A bi-district match at Edinburg North as it appeared for a good while the Golden Eagles were going to win in regulation with a 1-0 score. But, of course, with the sun shining so brightly, that just wasn’t about to happen as the two teams battled at high noon on the Cougars’ grass field under warm, clear skies for almost three hours.

The match wound up going the full distance to penalty kicks.

After trailing 2-1 late in overtime, Hanna benefited from a successful penalty kick to tie the game 2-2 and then won in PKs by outscoring the Cougars 4-2 for an official victory of 3-2 after 100 minutes of regulation and OT action that was followed by the penalty shootout.

“Thank God we had a second chance with that penalty kick (to make it 2-2) and we were lucky enough to have our guys capitalize (in the PKs),” Hanna coach Reyes Prado said. “I’m proud of our guys for keeping their feet on the ground and just taking advantage of the opportunity the Lord gave us.”

The score was tied 0-0 at halftime, 1-1 after regulation and 2-2 at the end of OT.

Edinburg North went up 2-1 in the last minute of the first half of OT on a goal by Carlos Rodriguez, who tallied on a rebound shot that went off the Hanna goalkeeper. The Cougars were looking fairly good at that point until Hanna’s Adrian Rodriguez converted a game-tying PK following a tripping call on Edinburg North in the penalty area with just 2:25 remaining in the second half of OT.

From there, the Eagles pulled off their come-from-behind victory after leading 1-0 and falling behind 2-1.

“This win encourages us to do better and work harder,” said Hanna’s Miguel Payan, a junior fullback who scored his team’s initial goal during the 47th minute to make it 1-0 on a “golazo” from 50-plus yards away on the left side. “People can see us coming to state (now after this win).”

The Hanna victory on Saturday meant all five Brownsville ISD boys teams won their bi-district matches in the postseason this year.

“It was an ugly win,” Prado said. “The first playoff game (after a long layoff like we had of about three weeks) is often a very hard one. Luckily, we had that second chance.”

After Payan’s memorable, long-distance goal, the Cougars jolted Hanna by scoring during the 66th minute as Brandon Perez put in the ball from close range on the left side. Things looked even worse for Hanna when teammate Carlos Rodriguez found the net in the 90th minute and made it 2-1.

Hanna’s scorers in the PKs were Adrian Rodriguez, Aldair Hernandez, Payan and Jose Pompa, whose tally to the left corner was the game-winner.

Scoring in the PKs for the Cougars were David Pena and Juan Gonzalez. The Cougars had an attempt sail high and another PK try blocked by Hanna goalkeeper Victor Villarreal.

Through it all, the District 32-6A runner-up Eagles didn’t give up and now move on to the area playoffs to face District 30-6A champion Laredo United on Tuesday at Roma at either 6 p.m. or 8 p.m.

Edinburg North, which advanced to the Region IV-6A final a year ago, ended the season as the third-place finisher from District 31-6A.

Cougars coach Elias Moran was red-carded for arguing with the center referee over Hanna’s PK that tied the match 2-2 near the end of OT. The Cougars lost a player to a yellow/red a little earlier.

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

WESLACO — After suffering a surprising defeat in the opening round of the soccer playoffs a year ago, the Porter Cowboys were determined not to let the same thing happen again.

The Cowboys scored a pair of second-half goals to break open a close match and capture a 2-0 victory against Sharyland High on Friday in a Class 5A bi-district match at Weslaco East.

“I’m very proud of my players,” Porter coach Jose Espitia said. “We’re a very young team and only three of them had playoff experience (going into this game). They played their hearts out tonight.

“I remember at the end of the season last year we had some of our little ones (underclassmen who are playing now) traveling with us (for our playoff game),” Espitia added. “We had a team with a lot of talent last year, and now we’ve replaced talent with heart. We’ve actually got a mix of both (qualities) on this team.

“I’m just very proud of these guys.”

The District 32-5A third-place Cowboys now move on to the area round of the playoffs and go against District 30-5A champion Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial on Tuesday. The area-round match is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Field and will be followed at 8 p.m. by the area match between the Rivera boys and San Antonio Southwest.

Everyone on the Porter sideline was elated with Friday’s victory.

“This is just an amazing feeling because last year we got eliminated in the first round,” said Porter’s Oscar Garcia, a junior midfielder who scored his team’s second goal on a penalty kick with a little more than 11 minutes remaining. “We had to win this game and keep on going. We’re more together (now as we continue playing this season), we’ve gotten to know each other better and we’re getting more confident (in our abilities).”

After a scoreless, back-and-forth first half, the Cowboys registered their first goal during the 52nd minute. Porter’s Christian Maldonado centered the ball from the right side and teammate Edward Rodriguez, situated near the left post, headed it in.

“We displayed a lot of heart (in getting this win) and we’re presenting ourselves (and wanting to continue our success),” said Rodriguez, also a junior midfielder.

The clincher for the Cowboys came during the 69th minute when a Porter player was pulled down on the left side of the field in the penalty area. The Cowboys were awarded a penalty kick and Garcia blasted his attempt off the crossbar and into the goal for a 2-0 advantage for his team.

Sharyland High, the District 31-5A runner-up, ended its season, falling to a Brownsville team for the second year in a row. Last year it was a loss to Lopez in the playoffs.

“It was a pretty even match,” Rattlers coach Reveriano Hernandez said. “I think they just outran us. That’s pretty much it. We kind of ran out of gas at the end and that was the difference.

“I think Porter was a little more hungry than we were tonight,” he added. “They have a young team and the future looks bright for them, and for us, too.”

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

LOS FRESNOS — The Edinburg Economedes Jaguars overcame the odds and prevailed over the Los Fresnos Falcons 5-4 on penalty kicks Thursday night in a Class 6A bi-district soccer match at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium.

The District 31-6A runner-up Jaguars lost a player to a red card midway through the second half of regulation and played the rest of the match with only 10 men. Still, they found a way to pull out the victory in PKs against the District 32-6A third-place Falcons.

The Falcons never led, even in the PKs. The best they could ever do was tie the score.

The Jaguars now move on to the area playoffs next week to face District 30-6A champion La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, a 7-0 victor over Del Rio in a bi-district match Wednesday in Laredo.

With the score tied 3-3 after 80 minutes of regulation action, Economedes went up 4-3 as Abraham Alferez headed in the ball off a direct kick taken by a teammate from near midfield with under a minute left in the first half of overtime.

With a little more than four minutes remaining in the second half of OT, Los Fresnos was awarded a PK for a knockdown in the penalty area by the Jaguars. Adrian Torres converted the PK try for the Falcons, making the score 4-4 and eventually sending the match to penalties.

The Falcons went first in PKs and had their initial attempt blocked by Jaguars goalkeeper Rogelio Perez. From there, the Jaguars converted all five of their PK tries to take the penalty shootout 5-4 and win the match to move on in the playoffs.

Making their PK tries for the Jaguars were Christopher Garcia, Orlando Rodriguez, Jonathan Limon, Kevin Mendez and Ivan Contreras, a reserve goalkeeper whose successful PK was the game-winner.

Scoring PKs for the Falcons, who ended their season with a 24-11-6 record, were Kike Rodriguez, Torres, Luis Rocha and Benjamin Perez.

The Jaguars led 1-0 at halftime of regulation and went ahead 2-0 with 10 minutes gone in the second half.

The Falcons got back into the match by scoring back-to-back goals within a 30-second span to make it 2-2 during the 51st minute.

An apparent Olympic goal by the Jaguars off a corner kick taken from the right side gave them the lead again, 3-2, in the 60th minute.

Two minutes later, Economedes lost a player to a red card on a dangerous play at midfield.

With 10 minutes to go in regulation, Los Fresnos tied the score 3-3 and set the stage for each team to add yet another goal, which sent the match to PKs tied 4-4 after 20 minutes of OT.

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Having played a variety of sports growing up, soccer is the one that is now taking Kasandra Jimenez to college.

The senior athletic and academic standout for Brownsville Veterans Memorial signed a scholarship agreement Thursday afternoon at the campus library to play her favorite sport of soccer next school year at the University of Houston-Victoria.

Since she was a young girl, Jimenez has participated in soccer, volleyball, basketball, kickball and track, among other sports. In high school, she’s focused exclusively on soccer and volleyball, earning all-district honors in both sports despite suffering serious injuries as a junior and as a senior.

“I think I’ve played everything (growing up) except softball,” she said.

On Thursday there was a roomful of family members, teammates, coaches, teachers and other Brownsville ISD personnel on hand for the signing. Jimenez’s act of putting her signature on the scholarship agreement was met with an enthusiastic round of heart-felt applause by those in attendance.

“This (signing) feels really awesome and I’m very excited,” said Jimenez, who earned all-state academic honors last fall in volleyball for having maintained a 94-plus grade-point average since she was a freshman.

In soccer, Jimenez missed substantial time after suffering injuries halfway through both her junior and senior seasons. This year, she hasn’t played since being sidelined by a broken wrist on Feb. 9. She was concerned UHV wouldn’t want to sign her after her latest injury, but the Jaguars came through with a scholarship.

“It’s been tough not playing (soccer), especially since it’s my senior year,” said Jimenez, a four-year starter in volleyball and soccer who plans to study education and biology in college with a desire to become a coach. “I got hurt and

I was a little scared that the coaches (at UHV) weren’t going to want me anymore, but they said it was fine. They knew the injury involved my wrist and that I would recover soon.

“I never lost faith because I always knew what I wanted to do,” Jimenez added. “My college has been really good about it and they’ve been staying in touch with me (to see how I was doing).”

Jimenez was coached in volleyball by Lisa Mares and in soccer by Luis Troncoso. Both coaches said Jimenez’s attributes as an athlete and as a student should lead her to success in college and life.

“Unfortunately (due to her injury situations) we haven’t been able to have Kasandra in the lineup as much as we’d like,” said Troncoso, whose Lady Chargers go against Sharyland High at 7 p.m. today in Mission in the Class 5A bi-district playoffs. “She came in as a freshman, gained confidence and made an impact for us. She’s been a utility player for us and even played some at goalkeeper. She played (mostly) defense this year.

“It’s great to see players (like Kasandra) in our program grow on and off the field,” Troncoso added. “She can play pretty much anywhere on the field. She’s just an all-around player who is great on defense and can score goals and make assists. She could even start at goalkeeper. Having players like her on our team is just a luxury.”

Added Mares, who also coached Jimenez for four years, “Kasandra is an athlete who loves to compete. On the court (or the soccer field) you can tell she’s a competitor. Sometimes at practice she’d cry (because she didn’t think she was playing all that well). That’s the kind of person and athlete she is. She has that mentality of being a (fierce) competitor.”

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Signing an athletic scholarship agreement to compete in college is always a joyous event.

That was the feeling Wednesday afternoon at Hanna as two of its top senior cross country and track & field athletes put their names on scholarship agreements with family, classmates, coaches, teachers and other Brownsville ISD personnel on hand to share in the celebration.

Audren Pineda signed to run for Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio next school year, while Leonel Pena will continue his running career at Bethel University in Tennessee.

Both athletes have had to overcome injuries during their time at Hanna. They have made it to the regional meet in cross country and each of them is striving to qualify for regionals in track & field for the first time this spring with strong showings at next week’s District 32-6A meet.

Pena underwent wrist surgery a year ago as a junior right before the district meet in track and it hurt his chances of advancing to regionals. He sees himself as a lot healthier and with a better chance this time.

“This day means almost everything to me,” said Pena, whose primary events in track are the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races. “My life, my health (and avoiding injury) is the main concern. This (signing) is the second. This (day) is really my dream come true.

“It actually gives me extra motivation, honestly it really does,” Pena added. “I plan to work even harder to prove myself.”

Pena said he will study industrial engineering in college, while Pineda wants to pursue a degree in kinesiology with the intent of someday becoming a physical therapist.

“This day means so much to me,” said Pineda, who competes in the 200, 400 and 800 meters plus relays and the long jump. “For four years I’ve been working really hard to get to this point. I’ve had a lot of setbacks (with injuries), but I’m finally here and I’m very happy I’ve gotten to spend this moment with everyone (at this signing event), especially my family.

“It’s comforting (now) knowing I have my college plans set out and it’s also very motivating as well knowing I’ve accomplished this for myself,” she added. “The coaches are looking at me (as a college signee), so it’s definitely motivating (as I try to show what I can do). I know I have to keep working hard.”

The two standout runners are headed off to college after they graduate in a couple of months with the blessings of their Hanna coaches.

“They’ve paid their dues and now they’re moving on (before too long),” Hanna track & field/cross country coach Armando Rocha said. “It’s awesome. These two are role models for our program. I’m happy for them.”

Added Olaya Teran, also a Hanna cross country/ track & field coach, “In their four years, they’ve done outstanding. I’m honored to be their coach.”

Pineda is grateful for all the support she’s received in life, particularly during high school.

“I’d just like to thank my family and my coaches,” she said. “They’re a big part of this process, and I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m really happy right now that I get to do this (signing).”

Pena took the opportunity to pass along some encouragement to his fellow students, and actually, some advice for everyone.

“To those who ever feel like giving up, it’s just like a cross country race,” he said. “Sometimes you feel like you can’t go any farther and your mind is telling you that your legs just can’t go on. But then you get a grip on yourself and you keep going. That’s what really matters is finishing (your race in) life in a good way.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Any coach who has ever taken a team to the state playoffs in any sport knows just how fickle coin flips can be.

Of the 13 Metro-area teams in this year’s UIL soccer playoffs (seven boys squads and six girls), only three of them are playing at home in this week’s bi-district matches after coin-flip results didn’t go their way in determining sites for the games.

Some of the neutral locations for bi-district games were reached by mutual arrangement, but for a majority of Metro-area teams, there just was no luck of the flip, which means winning on the road now becomes a priority.

The three area teams playing their bi-district matches at home today are the Los Fresnos boys, the Rivera girls and the Port Isabel girls.

The District 32-6A third-place Los Fresnos boys will be at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium as the home team against District 31-6A runner-up Edinburg Economedes at 7 p.m., while the 32-6A fourth-place Rivera girls will be at Sams Memorial Stadium for their 7 p.m. home match against 31-6A champion Edinburg North.

Also, at 6 p.m. today, the District 31-4A third-place Port Isabel girls play at home against District 32-4A runner-up Edinburg IDEA Quest.

All of the winners this week move on to next week’s area round of the playoffs.

The Rivera girls enjoyed their best postseason in soccer in school history a year ago by advancing three rounds. Lady Raiders coach Peter A. Rodriguez knows his team won’t catch opponents by surprise this time around and believes it’s certainly possible for his girls to equal or surpass their showing of 2017.

“Every playoff team goes out wanting and having faith that it will exceed expectations,” Rodriguez said. “It’s our job (on our team) to show effort and prove it. The Lady Raiders knew from the beginning the challenge this season would bring. The girls set goals at the beginning of the season to be a better team than last year, and we have accomplished that on paper in the regular season.

“Our next goal is to ensure we do what we need to do on and off the field to become a better playoff team by keeping in mind our goals set at the beginning of the season,” Rodriguez added. “Many (of our) players have had their share of injuries, and the players who showed up to play stepped up for those who were injured. Every player has done her job to put us where we are.

“None of our players want to be just a first-round playoff team. They are excited and motivated. Our destiny is in our hands now.”

Los Fresnos coach Javier Navarrete said Economedes is a pretty solid team with strong midfielders and speedy forwards. The Falcons defeated the Jaguars 3-1 in overtime in Edinburg during last year’s bi-district playoffs, so the two teams’ contest tonight shapes up as a rematch.

“If we execute our game plan and minimize our mistakes, I like our chances,” Navarrete said. “It’s going to take a team effort — no doubt. We are excited about our chances and we believe in our preparation. We have some key players on our team that are going to have to show their experience and lead us on the field.

“The key is we have faith,” Navarrete added. “The boys have responded well all season and we’re looking forward to the challenge (of being back in the playoffs).”

Other Metro-area teams playing bi-district matches this week are the boys teams from Hanna, Rivera, Porter, Lopez, Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Port Isabel. Besides Rivera and Port Isabel, other Metro-area girls teams in the postseason are Los Fresnos, Brownsville Veterans, Porter and Pace.

REACHING A MILESTONE

The District 32-5A champion Pace Lady Vikings have a team full of standout performers who have contributed to this season’s stellar showing by winning their first conference crown since 2009.

One of the team’s most talented players is center midfielder Alma Perez, a senior who recorded her 100th career assist for Pace during a 3-1 victory against Porter on Feb. 27.

The Pace girls went through 32-5A competition with a 14-0 record and now take a 26-1-1 overall mark into their bi-district match at 6 p.m. today against District 31-5A fourth-place Laredo Martin at Corpus Christi’s Cabaniss Field. The 32-5A champion Lopez boys take on the 31-5A fourth-place Martin boys on the same field at 8 p.m. today.

BACK IN PLAYOFFS

First-year Harlingen High boys head coach Johnny Guillen has the Cardinals back in the soccer playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

The 32-6A fourth-place Cardinals play host to 31-6A first-place PSJA Southwest at 6 p.m. today at Boggus Stadium.

Guillen played four years for the Cardinals and was a first-team all-district selection all four seasons before graduating in 2006. He is also the Cardinals’ all-time leading scorer with 88 goals. Before Guillen set the Cardinals’ career scoring record, it belonged to Miguel “Mike” Garcia (75 goals), who is now an assistant soccer coach at Los Fresnos.

Veteran soccer/football coach Bobby Lucio coached both Guillen and Garcia.

When Guillen was named as the Cardinals’ new coach prior to this school year, he requested to have his former coach, Lucio, as his assistant. The result this season is a return to the postseason.

“I was fortunate to have coached both of them,” Lucio said. “It’s great to be back coaching soccer. I’m glad Johnny insisted on having me as his assistant.”

EARLY START

While the UIL website says the state soccer playoffs officially begin today (March 29), according to a La Joya CISD athletic official, some teams were granted permission to play their bi-district games a day earlier, presumably because this is the week leading up to Easter.

Three Valley teams played their bi-district matches on Wednesday night. They were the boys teams from La Joya Juarez-Lincoln and McAllen Memorial and the girls team from McAllen Memorial.

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

Samantha “Sam” Bodden has been on fire scoring goals for Brownsville Veterans Memorial this soccer season.

As a senior forward, Bodden has recorded 50 goals in 2018 to help the Lady Chargers advance to the Class 5A state playoffs as the fourth-place team from District 32-5A.

Brownsville Veterans plays at District 31-5A champion Sharyland High at 7 p.m. Friday in the bi-district round of the postseason.

This season has been great,” said Bodden, a team captain and four-year starter. “There have been some ups and downs, but mostly ups. The girls on this team have given their best for us. We have a lot of freshmen who have made an impact. Our coaching staff has been amazing, and without them, we wouldn’t be where we’re at now.

I know I have a role to lead on this team, but I feel with the other seniors we have that I’m not solely responsible for it,” Bodden added. “We have a full team (of capable players), and it’s been great.”

Over her four-year career at Brownsville Veterans, Bodden has scored 94 goals. She’s played forward as a junior and senior, which noticeably boosted her goal total. As a center midfielder and player on the wing her first two seasons, she scored six and 12 goals, respectively. She scored 26 as a junior and now has 50.

The Valley’s single-season record for a female high school player was set last season by Los Fresnos’ Tanya Prazelini, who tallied 68.

The coaches I’ve had all my life have been the ones who have helped make me the player I am now,” Bodden said. “I’ve been playing in outside (youth and club) leagues since I was 5 or 6, and all those coaches have made a big impact on my life (as a soccer player). Also, (Brownsville Veterans) Coach (Luis) Troncoso, who has been my coach since I was a freshman, has been nothing but the best.”

Bodden plays on the Dynamo Academy club team based in McAllen. One of her teammates with the Dynamo is Pace’s Krissie Rivera, a senior standout scorer who topped 100 career goals earlier this season. Another 32-5A standout scorer is Porter’s Priscila Cortinas, who also surpassed 100 career goals this season.

The presence of Bodden, Rivera and Cortinas has made 32-5A a district featuring talented scorers who have a knack for finding the net.

Troncoso considers Bodden to be an impact player, someone who has been an important contributor since she was a freshman.

“As a coach, you look out (during a match) and see the team and who you’re playing against, and many times there’s a player who is a difference-maker,” the Lady Chargers coach said. “It’s nice to have that type of player with us in Sam. You work and do everything as a team, but it’s always helpful to have a difference-maker. When she first came in as a freshman, she immediately made an impact on the team. She stood out in the district (even as a freshman).

“Again, it’s just been a great thing for us to have someone like Sam,” he added. “She works very hard and you can see that on the field. She plays (100 percent) on every ball. Sam (even) comes down and helps out on defense.

She’s always up and ready to go for anything I might ask of her. She wants to support the team in whatever way possible. She just has a great knowledge of the game with a willingness to play where ever she’s needed.

“Sam has scored some beautiful goals throughout her career here at Brownsville Veterans.”

Bodden said she treasures her time as a member of the Lady Chargers and will miss being a part of the squad. Older sister Kathryn Bodden graduated from Brownsville Veterans last year and is playing soccer at Huston-Tillotson.

“Sam” hopes to be playing college ball next school year, too.

But right now, her focus is helping the Lady Chargers do well in the postseason.

“I have really high expectations for this team,” Bodden said. “I hope we can go far (in the playoffs). We know we can do it. We just have to work as a team and come out strong. (Now that we’re in the playoffs) we can’t hold anything back.

“It’s my senior year and I can’t thank everyone enough (who has helped me), especially my parents (William and Janie Bodden),” she added. “My parents mean the world to me.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

Updated and Complete Rio Grande Valley Soccer playoffs
Boys
Wednesday, March 28
Class 6A Bi-District
Laredo United at McAllen Memorial, 7 p.m. (Boxer Hernandez Stadium)
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln vs. Del Rio at Laredo, 7 p.m. (Shirley Field)
Thursday, March 29
Class 6A Bi-District
PSJA Southwest at Harlingen High, 6 p.m. (Boggus Stadium)
Brownsville Rivera at Edinburg High, 7 p.m. (Richard R. Flores Stadium)
Edinburg Economedes at Los Fresnos, 7 p.m.
Laredo LBJ at Mission High, 7 p.m.
La Joya High vs. San Antonio South San, 8 p.m. (McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium)
Class 5A Bi-District
Brownsville Veterans vs. Sharyland Pioneer at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Lopez vs. Laredo Martin at Corpus Christi, 8 p.m. (Cabaniss Field)
Class 4A Bi-District
Port Isabel at Hidalgo, 8 p.m.
Zapata at La Feria, 8 p.m.
Rio Hondo vs. Grulla at Donna High, 8 p.m. (Bennie LaPrade Stadium)
Friday, March 30
Class 5A Bi-District
Brownsville Porter vs. Sharyland High at Weslaco East, 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 31
Class 6A Bi-District
Brownsville Hanna at Edinburg North, noon
Class 5A Bi-District
Valley View vs. Donna North at Sharyland High, 10:30 a.m.
Class 4A Bi-District
Progreso at Raymondville, noon

Girls
Wednesday, March 28
Class 6A Bi-District
McAllen Memorial vs. San Antonio South San at Beeville, 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 29
Class 6A Bi-District
Harlingen High at Edinburg Vela, 6 p.m.
Laredo United South at McAllen High, 6 p.m.
Harlingen South at PSJA Memorial, 6:30 p.m.
Los Fresnos at PSJA High, 7 p.m.
Edinburg North at Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m. (Sams Stadium)
Laredo United at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7 p.m.
McAllen Rowe vs. San Antonio Southwest at Laredo, 7 p.m. (Student Activity Complex)
Class 5A Bi-District
Brownsville Pace vs. Laredo Martin at Corpus Christi, 6 p.m. (Cabaniss Field)
Donna North vs. Roma at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m. (Barrera Middle School)
Brownsville Porter at Sharyland Pioneer, 7:30 p.m.
Class 4A Bi-District
Edinburg IDEA Quest at Port Isabel, 6 p.m.
Lyford at Hidalgo, 6 p.m.
Rio Hondo vs. Grulla at Donna High, 6 p.m. (Bennie LaPrade Stadium)
Progreso at La Feria, 6 p.m.
Friday, March 30
Class 5A Bi-District
Brownsville Veterans at Sharyland High, 7 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

ABILENE — Brownsville schools recorded four top-five finishes at Saturday’s Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet at Abilene’s Taylor County Expo Center.

Leading the way for Brownsville in the Division I competition was Rivera’s Justin Garza, who took second place in the 275-pound weight division with a combined lift total of 1,750 pounds in the dead lift, bench press and squat lift.

Edcouch-Elsa’s Jorge Soto won the 275-pound weight division with a lift total of 1,820 pounds and was one of two state champions for the Yellowjackets, who won the Division I team title.

Also for Brownsville, Joel Sanchez of Veterans Memorial was third in the 123-pound weight division and Julio Hernandez of Pace was third in the 275-plus pound weight division.

Brandon Esteves was the top finisher for Hanna as he took fourth place in the 198-pound weight division.

Other lifters at state who placed for Brownsville schools were Rey Salazar of Brownsville Veterans (sixth in 198-pound division), Roman Garay of Hanna (ninth in 165-pound division), Adrien Martinez of Hanna (11th in 242-pound division), Chris Medina of Hanna (11th in 114-pound division) and Jose Porras of Hanna (11th in 165-pound division).

Also from the Metro Area, Los Fresnos’ Sebastian Gonzales was 10th in the 181-pound division.

E-E won the Division I title with 19 points, which included two individual state champions and a second-place finisher. Besides Soto, the other individual winner for E-E was Ricky Ortiz in the 148-pound division.

It was another strong showing at the state meet by the Valley in the final team standings as right behind E-E was second-place Weslaco East (13 points) and third-place Sharyland Pioneer (12 points).

No Brownsville schools finished in the top 10. The best team showing was by Rivera (18th with five points).

The Division I meet included 229 lifters.

Boys
(through March 23 games)
x-denotes playoff qualifier
y-denotes district champion
District 30-6A

W L Pts
yx-La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 11 1 33
x-Mission High 9 3 28
x-La Joya High 7 5 21
x-McAllen Memorial 6 6 16
La Joya Palmview 5 7 14
McAllen Rowe 4 8 13
McAllen High 1 11 3

District 31-6A
W L Pts
yx-PSJA Southwest 12 2 35
x-Edinburg Economedes 12 2 33
x-Edinburg North 7 7 26
x-Edinburg High 7 7 22
PSJA North 7 7 19
PSJA Memorial 6 8 19
PSJA High 3 11 9
Edinburg Vela 2 12 5

District 32-6A
W L Pts
yx-Brownsville Rivera 13 1 38
x-Brownsville Hanna 12 2 36
x-Los Fresnos 10 4 29
x-Harlingen High 5 9 16
San Benito 5 9 15
Harlingen South 5 9 15
Weslaco High 3 11 10
Weslaco East 3 11 9

District 31-5A
W L Pts
yx-Valley View 16 0 47
x-Sharyland High 13 3 40
x-Sharyland Pioneer 9 7 27
x-Laredo Martin 8 8 26
Mission Veterans 7 9 21
Roma 7 9 20
Laredo Nixon 5 11 18
Laredo Cigarroa 6 10 17
Rio Grande City 0 16 0

District 32-5A
W L Pts
yx-Brownsville Lopez 13 1 39
x-Brownsville Veterans 13 1 37
x-Brownsville Porter 10 4 30
x-Donna North 8 6 24
Brownsville Pace 5 9 15
Donna High 4 10 12
Mercedes 3 11 8
Edcouch-Elsa 0 14 2

Girls
(through March 23 games)
x-denotes playoff qualifier
y-denotes district champion
District 30-6A
W L Pts
yx-McAllen High 12 0 36
x-McAllen Memorial 9 3 25
x-McAllen Rowe 8 4 25
x-La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 6 6 19
La Joya High 4 8 13
La Joya Palmview 2 10 5
Mission High 1 11 3

District 31-6A
W L Pts
yx-Edinburg North 13 1 38
x-Edinburg Vela 11 3 34
x-PSJA Memorial 10 4 28
x-PSJA High 8 6 23
Edinburg High 5 9 16
PSJA Southwest 4 10 12
Edinburg Economedes 3 11 9
PSJA North 2 12 8

District 32-6A
W L Pts
yx-Los Fresnos 12 2 35
x-Harlingen High 11 3 33
x-Harlingen South 10 4 33
x-Brownsville Rivera 9 5 25
San Benito 6 8 17
Brownsville Hanna 5 9 17
Weslaco High 2 12 5
Weslaco East 1 13 3

District 31-5A
W L Pts
yx-Sharyland High 15 1 45
x-Sharyland Pioneer 14 2 41
x-Roma 11 5 33
x-Laredo Martin 10 6 28
Laredo Nixon 8 8 23
Mission Veterans 6 10 17
Valley View 4 12 12
Laredo Cigarroa 2 14 6
Rio Grande City 1 15 4

District 32-5A
W L Pts
yx-Brownsville Pace 14 0 42
x-Donna North 11 3 33
x-Brownsville Porter 9 5 26
x-Brownsville Veterans 8 6 24
Edcouch-Elsa 6 8 19
Brownsville Lopez 6 8 18
Donna High 2 12 6
Mercedes 0 14 0