By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
DONNA — The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers can now call themselves District 32-5A champions, or at least district co-champions.
Everyone else can too, for that matter.
Thursday’s 39-7 victory over Donna High at Bennie LaPrade Stadium earned the Chargers (8-2, 6-1 district) at least a share of the 32-5A title pending the result of today’s game between Mercedes and Donna North, also at Bennie LaPrade Stadium.
Mercedes enters the contest as a huge favorite against the Chiefs and a win would allow the Tigers to finish 32-5A play at 6-1 as well to tie for the crown with Brownsville Veterans.
Regardless of today’s scenario between the Tigers and Chiefs, after defeating Donna High on Thursday, the Chargers were far more interested in their newly acquired status as district champions than whatever might happen with Mercedes.
“This feels really nice,” said Pedro Pinales, a senior offensive right tackle for the Chargers. “At the beginning of the year we knew it was going to be really tough (in this district), but we worked our tails off (to do well). Getting the district championship just feels great.”
Added teammate Ryan Villalon, a senior strong safety, “We worked as a team from the beginning of the year. It got pretty tough, but we never gave up. We’ve just kept going for the ‘W.’ We’re all a family and we’ve worked together for this.”
It’s quite possible the Chargers will go against Mission Veterans in the first round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs and maybe even play host to the Patriots next Friday at Sams Memorial Stadium, Chargers coach David Cantu said.
“We talk a lot about not necessarily getting what you want, but instead getting what you deserve,” Cantu said. “I feel like this football team and this coaching staff deserve a district title.
“We came out and played a fantastic game tonight (to earn at least a share of the 32-5A championship),” he added.
Chargers running back Abel Martinez was the one who did the most damage in spoiling the Redskins’ homecoming on Thursday. He rushed 13 times for 173 yards and three touchdowns. His scoring runs came on plays covering 2, 68 and 63 yards. His first two TDs came in the first quarter to make it 12-0 and his third score came early in the third period to put his team ahead 32-0.
Also, Chargers QB Isaiah Solis threw for a pair of TDs on a 23-yard toss to Gilbert Garcia in the second period just before halftime and on a 15-yard strike to Adrian Ramirez midway through the third quarter.
Highlighting the Chargers’ strong defensive effort, Villalon intercepted a pass and returned it 72 yards down the left sideline to the end zone to pretty much put the game out of reach at 19-0 with 8:57 to go before intermission. The Chargers created four turnovers by intercepting three Donna High passes and recovering a fumble.
Brownsville Veterans led 12-0 after one quarter, 25-0 at the half and 39-0 at the end of three periods.
Donna High scored on an 18-yard run up the middle by Edson Alvarado with 1:43 remaining to account for the final score following Gio Coronado’s extra point.
Cantu said his coaching staff deserves a lot of credit, particularly his coordinators Mike Evans on defense and Sammy Montalvo on offense.
“In my opinion, we have the best defensive coordinator in South Texas in Mike Evans,” Cantu said. “What they did on defense tonight doesn’t surprise me at all because I see what they can do every day (in practice).
“I feel the same about Sammy Montalvo, our offensive coordinator,” Cantu added. “A couple of weeks ago I kind of handed over the play-calling duties to Sammy, and he’s just taken off and ran with it. He’s doing an outstanding job of orchestrating our offense.”