Category: RGV Sports

by Henry Miller

Bulldogs bring thunder during their District 31-5A opener

McHi unveiled its version of shock and awe on Tuesday, unleashing 46 kills, playing absolute staunch defense and defeating two-time District 31-5A champion Sharyland convincingly 25-22, 25-17, 25-15 at McAllen High.

Lefty Gabby Estringel hammered away for a team high in kills and digs, with 15 apiece while middles Isabella Rivera and Karely Cantu added 12 and 11 kills respectively in what may have been the most powerful performance of the season from any Valley team.

McAllen High head coach Estefania Portillo.

It was McHi’s district opener, playing a team that was without its second leading hitter Pamela Pena.

The Bulldogs relentlessly attacked. Their passing was crisp and setter Yaneli Rocha found her hitters for 38 assists to go with nine digs and one solo block. Their middles also found huge openings along the front row corners along the net, taking advantage of it for easy points on multiple occasions. Rivera was her consistent self, tallying 28 attacks with just two attack errors. Cantu, who has been looking to find her consistency to go with her power game, did just that. She also showed a soft touch, often finding those open spots along the front row to gently drop the ball into.

“We came in with the mindset that we had to give it our all and work as a team and that’s what we did,” Cantu said. “The offense executed but I have to give it up to our defense, we couldn’t have done that without them.

“We ran the middles a lot and that helped us – they left those spots open and we tipped there all day. I was just excited for our last first district game and it was exciting to mix things up.”

When the middles weren’t doing their thing, Estringel was making craters on the opposition’s side. She hit from the right side, from the middle and from the back row, showcasing her ability to play all around.

McAllen High’s Yaneli Rocha celebrates a point on Tuesday against Sharyland High.

Libero Kaylen Ottmers stood like a human backboard and was in perfect position especially to receive Sharyland’s Kenisha Martinez and her hard-hitting blows. Ottmers finished the day with 25 error-free receptions and 15 digs to go along with a team-best 13 points. Braelyn Martinez also kept points alive, diving into the far reaches of the gym to make saving plays. She and Ottmers also tallied four of McHi’s six aces with two apiece.

“Kaylen takes a lot of pride being the reigning libero of the year for the district,” head coach Estefania Portillo said. “She really was ready for that matchup for today. She read very well tonight and played great defense.”

After McHi took the first set, there was never a “feel” that the Rattlers would battle back. Martinez and outstanding hitter/setter Kassandra De La Garza put together short runs on a few occasions, De La Garza getting points from smashes down the line, McHi’s defense, and quick turnaround offense didn’t allow the dynamic duo from going on any long point-scoring spurts.

Sharyland falls to 21-4 overall and 1-1 in District 31-5A. It was the first time they were swept in a district match since Oct. 23, 2021, also by McHi. The Rattlers face non-district opponent PSJA High at noon Saturday. McHi improved to 16-10 overall and 1-0 in district. The Bulldogs travel to McAllen Rowe at noon Saturday.

by Henry Miller

RGVSports.com releases first top-10 list of the season

RGVSports.com’s Top 10 high school volleyball rankings
  1. Sharyland High – 21-1. 3-0 in tournament championships and a 17-match win streak. Two-time defending district champions and with the best 1-2 punch in the Valley with Kenisha Martinez and Kassandra De La Garza. Traveling to McHi on Tuesday The Rattlers are 63-5 during the past two seasons. Until someone knocks them from the top of the hill – and convincingly – they’ll continue to reign as queens of the court.

 

Sharyland Pioneer

 

2. Sharyland Pioneer – 17-3. Playing without arguably their most dynamic player, Aleena Zuniga, the Diamondbacks, as always, are just plain dangerous. They may not be the most exciting team you watch, but that’s because they execute to perfection and make the easy look easy. They have a varied offense, solid middles and on of the top two liberos in the land.

  1. McAllen High
  2. McAllen High – 15-10. Took some bumps and bruises in one of the nation’s largest, and toughest tournaments – Volleypalooza. It’s an event with multiple Div. 1 players and state champions from beyond Texas. During their first match, which they won, the setter on the opposing side was a 6-foot-2 Penn St. commit but hung with everyone. Facing Sharyland on Tuesday. The key to their district play is how well their middles will play – they can dominate or sometimes hide in the shadows. When they dominate – good night.
  1. Edinburg Vela

    Edinburg Vela – 19-5. Just a little bit away from going good to great. The SaberCats could be a darkhorse in the 31-5A title race if they can gain consistency. They have height, experience and great setters. Their hitters just need to swing more and swing harder and take advantage of being able to look over the defense.

McAllen Rowe

McAllen Rowe – 20-2. The Warriors won’t overpower anyone. But everything is solid – from their usual impeccable defense to a variety of hitters. When Breanna Sanchez gets on a role, they need to ride her to the victory. If one of their other attackers can step it up a bit, it will go a long way in make them a legitimate playoff-run contender.

Los Fresnos

Los Fresnos – 19-7. The Falcons started the season 3-4, looking for an identity. Looks like they’ve found it, going 16-3 since then. Should run the table for a district title, especially if coach Anissa Lucio keeps them improving.

McAllen Memorial

7. McAllen Memorial – . The Mustangs are looking for that one big win. So far, they’ve won the ones they should with a young team, and look better every time out. Coach Raul Castillo has them on the right path, but their development may take a little while.

  1. Mission High

    Mission High – 15-5. The Eagles don’t necessarily have a superstar to carry them, but they have synergy and chemistry – and they are so stubborn when it comes to letting a ball drop. They will challenge for the district title. If they develop a big-time go-to player, they could be the favorite

  1. Mission Veterans

    Mission Veterans – 16-4. The Patriots will go as far as Mady Perez can carry them. The freshman star already has more than 160 kills on the season (a 4.7 average) and she’s still holding back, respecting the upperclassmen. Don’t worry, head coach Diana Lerma will make sure her young star unleashes fury as district gets under way. Look out, though, defending district champ Palmview and a surprising Rio Grande City won’t be pushovers

PSJA High

PSJA High – 13-10. Led by stud hitter Julianna Guajardo, other Bears need to step up if they are to win a fourth straight district title. The Bears lost an all-star lineup but Guajardo and middle Kamila Figuero need to take over as vociferous leaders. If they do, and the others continue to develop, 31-6A will be an interesting race.

by Ivan Palacios

RGVSports.com Football Rankings (09/02/24)

Week 1 of the 2024 Texas high school football regular season has come and gone, with some teams making impressive statements to start the season, while others left with questions.

Los Fresnos was the biggest riser in the RGVSports 5A/6A Top 10 poll, moving up two spots from No. 7 to No. 5 after a dominating 43-10 win over McAllen High. Roma and Edcouch-Elsa also made moves, jumping into the top 10 after starting the season on the outside looking in.

The Sub-5A poll saw minimal change, with the top three teams all remaining the same. Santa Maria and Santa Rosa were the only change to the poll, making their first appearance in the poll with a tie at fourth place.

The Coastal Bend Top 4 saw a pair of teams drop out and be overtaken by Calallen and Alice, both who picked up wins in Week 1. The two newcomers to the rankings will face off this week.

Check out the rest of this week’s rankings below.

 

5A/6A Top 10
Rank Team Record
1 PSJA North 1-0
2 Brownsville Veterans 1-0
3 PSJA High 1-0
4 Harlingen High 1-0
5 Los Fresnos 1-0
6 Edinburg Vela 1-0
7 McAllen Memorial 1-0
8 Harlingen South 1-0
9 Roma 1-0
10 Edcouch-Elsa 1-0

 

Sub-5A Top 4
Rank Team Record
1 Brownsville St. Joseph 1-0
2 Port Isabel 1-0
3 Rio Hondo 1-0
T4 Santa Maria 1-0
T4 Santa Rosa 1-0

 

Coastal Bend Top 4
Rank Team Record
1 Corpus Christi Miller 1-0
2 Flour Bluff 1-0
3 Calallen 1-0
4 Alice 1-0
by Ivan Palacios

Tri-city rivals set to face off in RGVSports.com GOTW

Two of the Valley’s top ranked teams take centerstage Friday, as the No. 1-ranked PSJA North Raiders take on the No. 3-ranked PSJA High Bears in the RGVSports.com Game of the Week.

The tri-city rivalry is slated for 7:30 p.m. Friday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.

Both the Bears and Raiders are coming off impressive Week 1 performances, both winning their season openers by more than two scores.

PSJA High put together an all-around dominant performance, blanking Sharyland Pioneer 34-0 last week. Senior quarterbacks Myles Lopez and wideout Ryan Vallejo put on a show throw the air, connecting 12 times for 196 yards during the win. Lopez finished the game with 381 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Meanwhile, senior running back Jorge Alanis powered the Bears on the ground, carrying the ball 15 times for 128 yards and one score. He also added four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.

At San Benito, the Raiders roared to life during the second-half, outscoring San Benito 28-8 during the final two periods en route to a 42-22 win.

Junior quarterback Daren Garcia shone during the win, throwing for 79 yards and one touchdown, adding 130 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

The Raiders’ vaunted “Blackshirts Defense” did its part during the win, holding the Greyhounds to just 213 total yards.

PSJA North enters the contest with a four-game winning streak over the Bears, with PSJA High last coming out on top in 2019.

by Henry Miller

Tourney Titans: Sharyland wins 17th straight, preps for district battles

Sharyland High head coach Lydia De Leon said she wasn’t as concerned with what a streaking Corpus Christi Veterans team would bring to the championship match of the Sharyland ISD Volleyball Tournament as much as how she wanted her hitters to perform.

They performed. Kenisha Martinez, Pamela Pena and Kassandra De La Garza combined for 27 kills – 11, nine and seven respectively as the hottest team in the Valley – and maybe the most sizzling from Corpus Christi  to the Texas-Mexico border – won their third straight tournament championship with a 25-23, 25-17 victory over the Eagles. CC Vets had won 13 of their past 14 matches coming into the final and had secured a pair of tournament titles in Floresville and during their host SpikeFest event. They are 13-4 overall.

“We wanted to see what our hitters could do off the block, finally being able to play a team that our blockers had to adjust to,” De Leon said. “We want to continue to be more dynamic, being able to move the ball around the beam, having multiple threats.”

Sharyland, which seems to thrive during tournaments, won their third tournament of the season, also winning McAllen High’s Poundfest for the second straight year and the Sinton Tournament for the fourth straight year.

Martinez was named the tournament MVP, giving her three tourney title this season. She has won four straight MVPs in the Sinton tournament as well.

De Leon, in her first year coaching at the varsity level, has watched and developed a squad that seemed to have a few question marks when the season began – like who else would step up with their two stars – De La Garza and Martinez. Pena and freshman setter Jayleen Berlanga have been two of those answers.

Pena, a sophomore, seems already prepared to take the torch when the seniors graduate. She is second on the squad with 3.1 kills per set, only behind Martinez’s 4.1 kills per set. She is another serious threat from the outside.

Berlanga is stepping more and more into the setter role and looking comfortable doing sp. She not only provides relief for De La Garza, but allows her more opportunities to swing her heavy hammer-like left hand and keep Sharyland in a 6-2 instead of a 5-1 on offense.

Sharyland has defeated Vets the past two years in the playoffs. Vets, who was swept early in the season in the same gym against Pioneer, exacted their revenge in the semifinals, winning in three sets to set up the finals matchup.

While balance is great, come crunch time, having a go-to player to carry the enormous load down the stretch in a tight game is critical.

Vets rallied from a 22-18 deficit in the first set behind some tight rope serving and the Eagles grabbed a 23-22 lead. That when Martinez and De La Garza did what they’re expected to do. First, Martinez landed a kill on the back line to tie the game at 23. De La Garza followed it with a thunderous kill down the line to set up game point, which happened on a Martinez ace.

“Having multiple threats sometimes can take the pressure of Kenisha and Kassandra. Knowing if they are having a hard day, or are getting blocked, we can send the ball to the other side,” De Leon said. “We were all just very excited to see a team we might face again in the playoffs.

“(Kenisha) is somebody where if she doesn’t have the ball, she’s still out go-to with her voice and leadership. Even when she’s not in the front or part of the play, she’s a go-to in the back leading the team.”

Sharyland improved to 21-3 and it 1-0 in District 31-5A. The Rattlers return to district play Tuesday at McAllen High, a district foe expected to battle for a high seed in the playoffs and, possibly, a district title. Shary won a tournament match against the Bulldogs, two sets to one, earlier this season. The Rattlers are 21-3 overall and have won 17 straight.

“We won’t forget about what happened in this tournament but will use it as fuel to keep going,” De Leon said. “We don’t want to get complacent or to be content – we have McHi on Tuesday.”

 

by Adrian F. Trevino Special to The Monitor

Late field goal gives Eagles win over Patriots

BY ADRIAN F. TREVINO

SPECIAL TO RGVSPORTS.COM

With each team’s logo adorning opposite end zones, the Battle of Conway could not be more clearly defined: the Vets logo fills the east side, and the Eagles’ mascot flies in the west.

Friday, the Mission Eagles claimed their dominance with a 23-21 win over crosstown rival Mission Veterans Patriots off an 18-yard field goal by freshman Angel Gabriel Leyva.

Even though the stage was set for another rivalry, this year’s matchup was delayed because of lightning. While everyone’s patience was tested, head coach Daniel Longoria and the Mission Eagles held fast.

“Today’s character lesson was patience: be patient with yourself when you make mistakes, be patient with yourself and control your emotions; it’s a very emotional game, and I think our boys did a fantastic job making plays when we needed to. Our expectation was to play good, sound football and let the score take care of itself,” Longoria said.

The lesson of the day may have been patience, but the Eagles’ defense seemed eager to make their mark on the game. Even though the opening kick off sailed into the end zone, there was a violent clash that leveled a couple Vets players on kickoff coverage. Four plays later, the Eagles’ defense captured their first turnover of the game, a fumble by a Vets receiver.

The Eagles would have to wait for their second possession to score the first points of the game. Senior quarterback, Diego Salinas, threw a quick screen off the right side, and Shelby Sital turned it into a 59-yard scamper for a touchdown.

Vets bounced back on its third possession with a healthy dose of quarterback Cameron Sarinana and running back Benjamin Martinez. Martinez was solid all night, adding a 16-yard run to the drive that Sarinana ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Rodriguez.

Vets head coach David Gilpin framed the loss through a lens of positivity. “Our quarterback is a junior, and he did so many good things…he really threw the ball with consistency,” Gilpin said. “Benji (Martinez) had a really good game tonight, he showed he was capable to be our RB1.”

Both teams put together impressive drives that highlighted the last three minutes of the first half. The Eagles used a six-play, 57-yard drive to take the lead as Christopher Kirk snagged a 37-yard touchdown pass putting the Eagles ahead 14-7.

Unfazed, Sarinana found Robert Sharp for a 27-yard pass that set up a first and goal. Julian Guerra scored with a one-handed catch and Hector Perez added the point after, and the teams went into halftime tied at 14.

The Eagles relied heavily offensively on their senior leadership. While many others offered contributions, the work of Salinas, Kirk and running back Thomas J. Aparicio carried the offense. Salinas’ experience and game management kept the Eagles on track offensively. His 75-yard bomb to Kirk in the third put the Eagles ahead 20-14 after a missed extra point. Aparicio ran tough and seemed on the verge of breaking a long run. He was relied on heavily to seal the game in the fourth.

The Patriots would not relent. In the fourth, they drove 74 yards to take the lead 21-20. Sarinana connected with three different receivers, and Martinez added a 16-yard run that crossed midfield. Rodriguez split the Eagles defense for a 38-yard touchdown.

With 7:33 left, the Eagles drove to the 1-yard line and set up Leyva’s game winning field goal.

“Senior leadership helped dig us out of that hole we dug. We don’t give up,” Aparicio said.

by Ivan Palacios

Total Dominance: CC Miller routs CC Veterans in season opener

CORPUS CHRISTI — On most nights, Corpus Christi Miller’s offense is the catalyst behind their big wins. The night belonged to their defense on Friday.

Led by five takeaways and one defensive touchdown, the Buccaneers delivered a statement win to open the season, taking down Corpus Christi Veterans 41-7 during a non-district contest Thursday at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi.

“We were sluggish to start,” Corpus Christi Miller head coach Justen Evans said. “With the 106 degree weather, then we have what feels like 1000-pounds of sleeves and clothes on, we were kind of running in mud to start the game. At halftime we came out and made some great adjustments. Just shoutout to our defense. They played lights out today.”

The Buccaneers were jolted to life after a sluggish start to the season, with senior outside linebacker George Simmons providing the spark on a pick-6 of Corpus Christi Veterans quarterback Noah Endres.

A 20 yard catch-and-run by senior running back Broderick Taylor added to the Buccaneers lead during the second quarter, giving them a 13-0 lead heading into the break.

Then, the floodgates opened.

A pair of third quarter takeaways helped the Buccaneers balloon their lead to five scores during the period, with a fumble recovery by senior linebacker LaMarcus Cullum turning into an eight yard Eathan Vela touchdown and an interception by Donovan Cristan leading to a 51-yard touchdown reception by Roderick Taylor.

Corpus Christi Miller receiver Eathan Vela (3) dives in for a touchdown during a non-district game against Corpus Christi Veterans on Thursday at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi. (Victor Dominguez | Special to the Monitor)

“Six of our guys on defense have been starting since they were freshman,” Evans said. “Those are four-year starters now since they’re seniors. We have a veteran defensive line. Our coordinator has done a phenomenal job getting them ready to play so hats off to them.”

The Buccaneers put the final touches on the game early in the fourth, with Cristan’s second interception of the day setting up a three yard touchdown run by quarterback Trevor Long.

Long’s touchdown marked the sixth Buccaneers’ athlete to find the endzone during the contest.

Corpus Christi Miller quarterback Trevor Long (15) looks downfield during a non-district game against Corpus Christi Veterans on Thursday at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi. (Victor Dominguez | Special to RGVSports)

Corpus Christi Veterans got on the board late, with running back Andrew Charlebois breaking a 47-yard touchdown run during the final two minutes to make it a 41-7 ball game. He finished with 120 yards and one score on 24 carries.

Long led Miller’s offensive onslaught, completing 20-of-32 passes for 254 yards and three scores, adding one carry for three yards and a touchdown.

Running back Broderick Taylor and do-it-all athlete Corey Holmes combined for 149 rushing yards, while Roderick Taylor paced the wideouts with five catches for 95 yards and a score. Vela added 81 yards and one touchdown on five catches.

Corpus Christi Miller running back Broderick Taylor (21) carries the ball during a non-district game against Corpus Christi Veterans on Thursday at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi. (Victor Dominguez | Special to RGVSports)

“Its a blessing to have so many offensive weapons,” Evans said. “At the same time, we have to do a better job of punching it in. We left like three scores out there. I’m not happy about that, but we’ll fix it this week and be ready to go. It starts tomorrow. We’re going to come in and flush today out and lift. That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to take it one day at a time and not look ahead.”

The Buccaneers (1-0) turn their attention to Seguin next week, hosting the Matadors at Buccaneer Stadium at 7 p.m. on Sept. 6.

The Chargers (0-1) will look to bounce back at 7 p.m. Thursday against intracity rival Corpus Christi Carroll.

For more pictures from yesterday’s game, click here.

[email protected]

by Ivan Palacios

High Octane: Explosive Bears open at No. 3 in preseason poll

PHARR — The 2023 campaign was a year of firsts for PSJA High. The Bears went 5-0 during district play, capturing their first outright district title since 2018.

PSJA High also picked up its first postseason win since 2008, snapping a streak of seven playoff appearances with first-round losses.

This year’s PSJA High squad is aiming for more, with a solid core of seniors ready to lead the charge. The Bears open as the No. 3 team in the RGVSports.com 5A/6A preseason poll.

“I was excited last year, but I’m even more excited this year,” PSJA High senior running back Jorge Alanis said. “We had a pretty good season last year and I expect even better this year. We’ve been good in the weight room and throughout the summer. Then all the success we had in 7-on-7, it has been building up for this season.”

The biggest question mark for the Bears heading into the new year came from the quarterback position, with four-year starter Jaime Lopez gone to graduation.

Enter former Edinburg Vela starter Myles Lopez.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound signal caller is slated to step into the QB1 role this season, bringing two years of varsity experience with him.

Lopez will have his work cut out for him on offense, with the Bears returning some of the top offensive weapons in the RGV.

Senior wideouts Emiliano Fraga, Caleb Salas and Ryan Vallejo make up arguably the top receiving corp in the Rio Grande Valley, combining for 2,491 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns last year.

Left to right, PSJA High receiver Ryan Vallejo (Joel Martinez | The Monitor), quarterback Myles Lopez (Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports) and receiver Caleb Salas (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

“I’m loving the new offense for sure,” Lopez said. “The air raid, I’m really liking it a lot. I’ve been putting in work with the receivers pretty much every day. I just feel really excited to show that chemistry off.”

Add in do-it-all running back Alanis (1,313 total yards, 17 touchdowns) and the offense, which averaged 33.7 points and 411.3 yards per game last season, shouldn’t skip a beat this year.

“I think the offense is going to be better than it ever has been,” Alanis said. “We’re still the same Bears, so expect us to score a lot of points every game. Nothing new. Just expect it to be even better than last year.”

PSJA High running back Jorge Alanis. (Joel Martinez | The Monitor)

The defense brings back its own set of standout seniors, including District 31-6A defensive MVP Cody Longoria. The four-year letterwinner racked up 150 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss and two sacks a year ago.

Hybrid linebacker Armando Davila adds another high-motor weapon in the middle of the field, finishing second on the team in total tackles (111), while also adding a team-high two interceptions.

Defensive lineman Jayden James (66 total tackles, 15 TFL, five sacks) and defensive back Diego Santos (30 total tackles, four passes defensed, one interception) add playmakers at each level on a defense that could be among the best in the area this year.

PSJA High defensive lineman Jayden James, left, makes a tackle on an Edinburg Economedes’ ball carrier. (Delcia Lopez | The Monitor)

The Bears’ non-district slate consists of five playoff teams from a year ago, including a Week 2 game against intracity rival PSJA North on Sept. 6 and a Week 5 contest against 2023 Class 5A DI state semifinalist Brownsville Veterans on Sept. 27.

They’ll kick off their district title defense on Oct. 10 against Edinburg High. Their biggest test could come in Week 9 against new district rival and last year’s 32-6A champion Weslaco High.

“I love having a target on our back this year,” Alanis said. “It gives us a lot of motivation knowing people want to come at us and beat us. We’re excited to face off the district competition. It’s a similar district, but we’ve just got a bigger target on our back now.”

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by Ivan Palacios

Scrimmage Notebook: Sharyland High vs. Harlingen High (08/22/2024)

SUGHED: Scrimmage Notebook: Sharyland High vs. Harlingen High (08/22/2024)

HARLINGEN — With the 2024 Texas high school football regular season just one week away, teams across the RGV took the field Thursday for their final tune-up.

At Boggus Stadium in Harlingen, the hometown Cardinals hosted Sharyland High in a full four-quarter scrimmage.

Here are some notes from the first half of the matchup between the Cardinals and Rattlers.

Sharyland High quarterback drops back to pass during a scrimmage against Harlingen High on Thursday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen. (Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports)

OFFENSIVE WOES

Sharyland High will have a new face under center in 2024 after the graduation of two-year starter Bo Krell, who is now at Houston Baptist. The new-look Rattlers struggled to find its groove Thursday, with six of their seven first-half drives ending without a score.

The Rattlers did show signs of life during their final drive of the first half, driving all the way down to the Harlingen High six-yard line before having to settle for a field goal before the break.

MIDSEASON FORM

Which the Rattlers’ offensive unit struggled, the Cardinals moved the ball with relative ease during the opening period, finding the endzone on two of their first three drives.

Leading the offensive charge was last year’s Herald/Star Tri-Newcomer of the Year Noah Huerta.

The junior running back gashed Sharyland High’s defense for 71 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Expect the Cardinals to lean on Huerta heavily early on during the season, with a brand-new quarterback under center for the team this year.

Harlingen High running back Noah Huerta (34) attempts to juke a Sharyland High defender during a scrimmage Thursday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen. (Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports)

QUARTERBACK BATTLE

While the running back position is solidified for the Cardinals, the quarterback position is still up in the air heading into the new year.

Harlingen High freshman quarterback Hassan Woolery (9) keeps it himself during a scrimmage against Sharyland High on Thursday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen. (Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSportS)

Senior Jonas Serna and freshman Hasaan Woolery both saw action during the first half of Thursday’s scrimmage.

Serna opened the game at the helm for the Cardinals, playing in four of Harlingen High’s five first-half drives. The senior signal caller finished 3-of-8 for 56 yards during the first half, with most of his yardage coming on yards after catch from his receivers.

Woolery’s lone offensive drive during the first half ended in a turnover on downs inside enemy territory. Still, the freshman showed flashes of his potential early on, lowering his shoulder and running through a Sharyland High defender for a seven-yard gain on his first play of the game.

The freshman QB finished 3-of-4 for 15 yards during the first half, adding two carries for nine yards.

UP NEXT

With the offseason in the book, Harlingen High and Sharyland High now turn their attention to Week 1 of the regular season.

The Cardinals open the year against former district rival Weslaco High at 7 p.m. next Friday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.

The Rattlers hit the road for their Week 1 opener, taking on Weslaco East at 7:30 next Friday at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.

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by bryan ramos

UTRGV Fieldhouse atrium taking shape

EDINBURG — UTRGV athletics held a topping out ceremony Thursday to celebrate the placing of the final beam in what will be the UTRGV Fieldhouse atrium, signifying the completion of the structural phase of the construction of the atrium.

“This is going to help this facility really become something that’s recognizable. When you’re driving down across campus, you’re going to be able to look over here and say that’s a sports facility and that’s something I think that we’ve been missing,” UTRGV vice president and athletic director Chasse Conque said.

Renderings of the UTRGV Fieldhouse atrium. Courtesy UTRGV Athletics.

The atrium, which will stand 27 feet tall, will include a new entrance for fans attending games with a new box office, team store, concession stand, Hall of Fame area and restrooms. Conque said the construction of the atrium adds a new element to the UTRGV Fieldhouse while maintaining the history of the facility, which was completed in 1969.

Contruction on the UTRGV Fieldhouse expansion at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

“We were able to hold on to the integrity of this facility. There’s a lot of institutions today that are tearing down buildings, building new ones, but there’s so much tradition in this building, there’s so many memories in this building,” Conque said. “This building was constructed in 1969, so you think about the coaches and the student-athletes that have passed through here. You think about the non-athletic events that we’ve hosted in this facility — presidential debates and primaries, concerts, university events, there’s so much history here and certainly the thousands of matches and games that we’ve played — so we’re very proud to be able to celebrate our tradition and our history and be able to bring it into a modern era.”

Renderings of the UTRGV Fieldhouse atrium. Courtesy UTRGV Athletics.

The atrium is part of $160 million in facilities enhancements across 13 capital projects taking place from 2022-26 touching all 18 athletic programs at UTRGV. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring and ready for UTRGV volleyball to start its 2025 season next fall.

The atrium is part of $160 million in facilities enhancements across 13 capital projects taking place from 2022-26 touching all 18 athletic programs at UTRGV. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring and ready for UTRGV volleyball to start its 2025 season next fall.

“This is just the final topping to something that I’ve been hearing about since the inception of UTRGV. We talked about expanding athletics and creating an environment for our student-athletes to truly thrive at the Division I level and this is it,” UTRGV head volleyball coach Todd Lowery said. “Just adding the front porch to the fieldhouse is like adding the front porch to UTRGV. UTRGV athletics is just becoming the front porch of our university. The community support, the community interest that it’s generating is just phenomenal over the last 18 months.”

Renderings of the UTRGV Fieldhouse atrium. Courtesy UTRGV Athletics.

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