By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Through four non-district games, Sharyland High has allowed an average of 371.5 yards per contest — the most yielded among its 31-5A counterparts.
But coach Ron Adame doesn’t feel that tells the whole story about his team’s defense. Most of the damage, after all, was inflicted during the first two games of the season, when the Rattlers surrendered 497 yards to McAllen Memorial, and 528 to Laredo United.
Since the two losses, Sharyland has given up 186 and 275 yards, respectively, in wins over Brownsville Rivera and Laredo Alexander. Part of that improvement stems from the Rattlers forcing and recovering five Alexander turnovers in Week 4, while stuffing the Bulldogs three times on fourth down.
That ignited the Rattlers’ 16-14 victory heading into their district opener against Edinburg Vela (4-0) on Friday.
“Our defense rose to the occasion,” Adame said. “When you take a look at the yards we’re giving up, I think we’re progressing as the season’s coming along. Those were some high-caliber offenses we faced. So I’d like to think that facing those four opponents has gotten us ready to district.”
REGROUPING
With a bye this week, Mission Veterans (3-1) will have additional time to prepare for its district opener against Sharyland in Week 6.
Patriots coach David Gilpin is “hopeful” that all-state linebacker Hugo Cabrera can return for that matchup. The senior pulled his hamstring against Odessa Permian in Week 2, before injuring it again during half-speed tackling drills last week.
“Obviously we need him,” Gilpin said. “But we’re just going with the next-man-up concept.”
Starting running back Buda Gonzalez helped fill that role last week. The sophomore also played on special teams and an inside receiver during a 48-41 win over PSJA North.
Mission Veterans is also awaiting word on Johnny Martinez, one of their featured backs. Martinez has been out a couple weeks since dislocating his elbow. Gilpin said Martinez could possibly return to face Sharyland Pioneer in Week 8.
LIMPING TIGERS
With three starters out from the offensive line, Valley View (0-4) will look to its backups heading into its district opener against Pioneer on Friday.
Left guard Martin Sandoval (illness), center Manny Lozano (knee) and right guard Gabriel Rodriguez (concussion) are expected to sit out after enduring their respective setbacks last week. Even with a healthy unit, the Tigers have struggled on offense, posting the lowest number of yards among district teams.
By contrast, the defense has allowed the third-fewest yards in 31-5A. Still, coach Carlos Saenz has avoided temptation to switch players from the D-line to bolster the O-line, saying that he doesn’t want to disrupt chemistry.