BY MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Sharyland Pioneer quarterback Alejandro Ramirez will sit out the remainder of his senior season after tearing his ACL and MCL during a game last week against Mission Veterans Memorial.
The two-year starter took a hit to his knees after he released a pass midway through the third quarter of the Diamondbacks’ 21-14 loss. Ramirez limped off the field, where he received treatment on his right leg. He watched the remainder of the game on crutches.
Ramirez completed 6 of 10 passes for 30 yards and one interception before freshman Jacob Rosales filled in.
The injury marks a significant blow for a Pioneer team battling for a playoff berth. Ahead of Friday’s game against Sharyland High (3-4 overall, 1-2 in district), the Diamondbacks have had Rosales and sophomore Tyler Bulthuis take snaps in practice this week.
Ramirez’s setback comes on the heels of a hip contusion during a Week 6 game against Rio Grande City, which sidelined the signal caller the following week against Edinburg Vela. Bulthuis was their third choice under center for Pioneer, starting the game against Vela before Rosales, a junior varsity call-up, closed it out.
Ramirez had enjoyed a breakout season, completing 58 of 100 passes for 677 yards and five touchdowns in seven games. He had only two interception (second-fewest in district) as he helped Pioneer (6-2, 2-2) get off to a 6-0 start.
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
Roma coach Max Habecker Jr. said running back Ramon Espinoza remains “day to day” as he recovers from a bruised right forearm. The district’s rushing leader played through the two games before sitting out during the Gladiators’ 18-7 road win over Sharyland High last week.
“We’re going to take it one day at a time. When we feel he’s ready to go, that’s when we’ll make the decision,” Habecker said. “I think we made it clear with him before the (Sharyland) game that we’re not going to pressure him to come back.”
The Gladiators (6-2, 2-2), who are tied for second in the district standings, got a big lift from wide receiver Damian Villarreal at running back. The junior ran 20 times for 82 yards to lead Roma in rushing.
“He’s a very dynamic player,” Habecker said. “He can do a lot with the ball in his hands. We needed a spark and he came in and did what he did. He was able to give us that extra step.”
Before that, Villarreal had hauled in a combined 125 yards on 10 carries for a touchdown this season.
EMERGENCY MEETING
The District 31-5A Executive Committee has called for an emergency meeting today to determine the eligibility of two players’ transfers, according to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
The committee is expected to review the Previous Athletic Participation Forms for former PSJA North quarterback George Olivarez and ex-Mission Veterans wide receiver/backup quarterback Adam Solis.
Olivarez, a senior, left for Edinburg Vela in late September, while Solis transferred to Valley View two weeks ago, according to sources.