STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
RAYMONDVILLE— The next step in Raymondville’s quest to reach the third round of the University Interscholastic League Class 4A Division II playoffs is a showdown with Wimberly at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Mathis High School’s Pirate Stadium.
The Bearkats (9-1, 3-0 16-4A DII) are confident ahead of their matchup with the Texans (8-3, 3-2 13-4A DII) that they have what it takes to reach their goal.
“We’re trying to as far as we can,” sophomore running back Nathan Munguia said. “And we have the talent for it; I don’t see why we can’t go four or five rounds. We have the talent, we have the chemistry.”
Raymondville topped Corpus Christi West Oso 51-32 at Burnett Stadium last Friday in the bi-district round and is looking to build off of strong performances by Justin Cantu, Jayson Cantu, and ZaRaivion Armendarez, as well as Dylan Ramirez and Derrick Oltivero on the defensive side.
Both Raymondville and Wimberly have scored 424 points this season, though the Bearkats have a better point differential, allowing just 153 points to the Texans’ 270. Captaining Wimberly’s defense is middle linebacker Nova Rankin, who is tied for the team lead in sacks with two other players.
Wimberly’s playoff pedigree is well-established, having won a state championship in 2011 and winning 13 games in 2017 and 10 games in 2016. But the second-seeded Texans do appear vulnerable, with losses to Geronimo Navarro and Cuero in District 13-4A Division II play this season. They defeated Poteet 49-35 in the bi-district round.
“The first thing I saw on film was their size,” wide receiver/running back ZaRaivion Armendarez said. “They have some guys who are 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5, they have size, definitely. I think it’s going to come down their offensive game. Their offense is real high-powered. … It’s going to come down to who can score more.”
Wimberly is led by senior quarterback Cooper Mccollum, who has passed for 2,432 yards and 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions this season. McCollum is also the team’s second-leading rusher (502 yards) behind sophomore running back Moses Wray, who has posted 668 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns on 103 carries.
Junior wide receiver Christian Marshall is the Texans’ top wideout with 930 yards on 47 receptions, 12 of which went for touchdowns.
“They’re a pretty good team, and I feel like it’s going to be a good game,” Munguia said. “But we’re a better team. We have to limit the mistakes and turnovers and spread the ball around and use everybody.”