By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Through one scrimmage and its non-district opener, Edinburg Vela appears to be answering some of the questions that surrounded the team entering the season.
There was some uncertainty as to who would start at quarterback, how the team would make up for the loss of some of its running backs, and how that combination could potentially affect its aerial attack. The SaberCats’ 72-27 win over Brownsville Pace on Saturday provided a clearer idea as to where they might be heading.
Senior Fabian Pedraza, a transfer from McAllen Memorial, started at QB over sophomore Nate Garcia. Vela scored on its first seven drives, and Pedraza accounted for three TD passes — two to Elijah Reyna, one to Michael Arguelles.
Coach Michael Salinas had said the graduation of some of their top backs, outside of Robert Guerra, would result in a cast of players having to chip in. Between eight backs, Vela produced 357 yards on Saturday, showing signs of what was the most productive rushing attack in district last year.
Even with a new signal caller and wideouts splitting time in on the ground, the passing/receiving game has been just as effective early on. Arguelles, listed as a receiver, had two carries for 20 yards, including a 3-yard TD run, and two receptions for 30 yards and a 14-yard scoring catch. Reyna provided similar balance, with 13 yards on three carries and 83 yards on five catches, boosting what was a relatively thin position at running back going into the year.
GETTING AFTER IT
From the start of two-a-days, Rio Grande City coach Carlos Longoria identified the defense as the strength of the team. The Rattlers 13-0 win over Ingleside showed glimpses of why that was the case.
Even though it surrendered 248 yards (to RGC’s 159) and 18 third- and fourth-down conversions (to RGC’s 5), Longoria pointed to the four fumbles his team recovered. Kevin Garcia and Ivan Garcia came up big in those instances, recovering a fumble a piece and six solo tackles each.
“The whole defense, what I think that stood out was our pursuit to the ball. How we had multiple people getting after it,” Longoria said. “The team pursuit was the biggest thing.”
Kevin Garcia, who starts at middle linebacker, also did his part as the team’s punter, averaging 39.3 yards per punt.
“We had one guy to me that stood out, and that was our punter,” Longoria said. “He really did a good job of giving us good field position.”
MAKING STRIDES
While the offense may see some changes after Week 1, Sharyland Pioneer quarterback Alejandro Ramirez is settling into his role as a second-year starter.
After taking his lumps as a junior for the first-year program, Ramirez posted 151 passing yards on 14-of-21 attempts last week against Hidalgo — the most yards he’s thrown for on varsity. Last year, he had only 73 yards on 6-of-12 passing against the Pirates.
With 10 returning starters on offense, Ramirez is coming off a summer in which he participated in the Manning Passing Academy. He entered the season in better shape while showing growth in his passing game.