By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial and Porter are unbeaten through two games this season.
The Chargers and Cowboys hope to remain that way after their final non-district games today in Week 3. Brownsville Veterans is on the road to face Edinburg High at 7 p.m. at Cats Stadium in Edinburg, and Porter plays host to UANL at 2 p.m. at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Brownsville Veterans is keenly aware that the Edinburg High offense has been held scoreless in two games, but that doesn’t mean it is looking past the Bobcats.
“We don’t take (this game) lightly. We want to see if we can gain some consistency on defense,” Chargers coach David Cantu said. “We finished off the first half against (PSJA) North playing good defense and we had a good second half, so we’re seeing if it can carry over against Edinburg (High).
“I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond defensively after having about two and a half quarters of good defense. It’s critical we go out and prove we can do it again.”
Edinburg High is looking to run the ball against the Chargers’ defense.
“We’re trying to get better, every rep, every play, that’s what we’re trying to do,” Edinburg High coach Joaquin Escobar said. “We want to keep on getting better every day, so in this game we know we need to be able to run the ball. Brownsville Veterans is a great team, their coaching staff does a great job and we’re going to have to come out and play our best.”
On the other side of the ball, the Chargers are looking to remain consistent on offense.
“Proving that we can be consistent offensively and continue put some points on the board,” Cantu said. “It’s not so much about Edinburg High, it’s about us executing and playing hard.”
The Bobcats expect their toughest game of the season against the Chargers.
“Do what we do, stick to what we do, eventually we’re going to get better at it,” Escobar said. “Bottom line is this is a great preseason test for us. Either way we’re going to be a better team because of how good Brownsville Veterans is.
“But I think our kids are up to the challenge.”
For the Cowboys, they face a UANL team that is always a tough opponent.
Porter coach Tom Campos met the UANL coach at a conference a few years back and tries to keep the game on their schedule to test his team before district starts.
“They’re a heck of a football team,” Campos said. “They are a good measuring stick. We know we’re going to get a good look, and of all the years I think this is our best chance of beating them this year.”
The unbeaten Cowboys expect to build on the confidence they have received from two straight wins.
“We know they’re going to challenge us in our weak areas, and that’s good,” Campos said. “We’re trying to put some pressure on our guys and see how they react. (This game will help us) to see how strong our strong points are and how weak our weakest points are.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.