PSJA Southwest interim head coach Abel Estrada took over the Javelinas’ football program Aug. 18 following the resignation of then-head coach Mike Evans, just nine days prior to the start of the season.
On Friday, Estrada picked up his first career win as a head coach, taking down the PSJA Memorial Wolverines 23-20 at PSJA ISD Stadium in Pharr.
“To me, a win is a win,” Estrada said. “The excitement I saw on the kids, however, that was something to die for. I liked the excitement on their faces and the staff. I was happier for them than for me.
“I was happy too, don’t get me wrong. But the excitement they had. They were grabbing me and picking me up and hugging me. It was like we won the Super Bowl or the state championship. What I loved about it is these kids fought every single day. We don’t have the numbers and these kids have never quit and fought in every game.”
Junior do-it-all athlete Angel Hernandez made the play that put the Javelinas ahead, breaking a 45-yard run down the sideline for the go-ahead score with 2:25 left in regulation.
Hernandez has been a bright spot for the Javelinas’ offense this season, racking up 804 total yards of offense and seven touchdowns.
“Angel, to say the least, I think he’s the best player in the Valley,” Estrada said. “Of course, I am bias because he’s my kid. But I’ve seen every team doing everything possible to shut him down. After every game he gets the same reaction from other coaches and players. They all say he’s a beast after trying everything to shut him down.
“Some how or some way, he still finds a way to get into the end zone or get big yardage. He’s been a big bonus for us. Thank god we’re having him back next year.”
The Javelinas (1-8, 1-6) look to close out their season with back-to-back wins, taking on the Valley View Tigers (0-9, 0-7) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tiger Stadium in Pharr.
RUNNING RATTLER
Sharyland High junior running back Alan Guerrero rushed for a career-high 251 yards and one score on 15 carries Friday, becoming the second running back to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in District 16-5A DII this season.
Guerrero, the district’s No. 2 leading rusher, has emerged as one of the Valley’s top backfield weapons during his first season as a starter, rushing for 1,097 yards and 10 touchdowns on 136 carries.
BALL HAWKING BULLDOG
McAllen High defensive back Kolten Ottmers etched his name into the school’s record books Friday, tying former McHi defender Gil Santos’ 1994 record of seven interceptions in one season.
Ottmers has recorded an interception during five of the Bulldogs’ nine contests this season, including a pair of picks to tie the record during McHi’s 65-7 win over Brownsville Lopez on Friday.
He’ll have an opportunity to surpass the mark during the Bulldogs’ regular-season finale Friday against the McAllen Rowe Warriors at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.