BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
Things have not been easy for Edinburg North this year.
Just when the season seems to be on track, a big mistake erases all of the positive momentum.
“We had a big stop to start the third quarter against Edcouch-Elsa, but we took a personal foul unsportsmanlike conduct, and that kept their drive going,” ENHS coach Damian Gonzalez said.
To make matters worse, close games have slipped away in agonizing fashion. The Cougars lost their first two games by a combined seven points.
“The kids have done a tremendous job of fighting from the beginning to the end,” Gonzalez said. “We have been in every ballgame. Even last week, at halftime, we were sitting OK. Then, we had some kids banged up, and we had to pull some kids out, and it exposed us a bit.”
One of those players was junior running back Jacob Peralez.
“He’s had a little nagging ankle injury that has limited him a little bit,” Gonzalez said. “Also, he has taken a few shots to the core. He has had some sprained ribs here and there. That has kind of limited him a little bit, but he is fighting through it.”
Gonzalez said he expects Peralez to be ready to go Friday when the Cougars face their toughest test to date in their first district game against Edinburg Vela. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be played at Richard R. Flores Stadium.
Against E-E, Peralez wasn’t the only injury. The Cougars were also without their leading pass catcher, Roel de Leon, who was hurt in practice Thursday.
Then, one of the most dominant players the Cougars have, senior defensive lineman Humberto Martinez, sprained his ankle and did not return to the game.
Edinburg Vela is a very tall task to start district, but the Cougars enter 31-6A play with the mindset of having a 0-0 record.
“We just have to show up and give our best effort,” Gonzalez said. “I am very proud of our kids, because they keep working hard. We have had two tremendous days of practice, probably the best two days we have had. We just have to clean up a lot of mental mistakes.”