By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Mission Veterans Memorial quarterback Diego Hernandez will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left ankle, coach David Gilpin said Tuesday.
The junior signal caller sustained muscle damage between his tibia and fibula, Gilpin said, during the second quarter of the Patriots’ 34-3 win over Roma on Friday. The following day, Hernandez was seen walking around campus with a cast. The injury comes on the heels of Adam Solis’ departure from the school for personal reasons. Aside from being the backup quarterback, Solis was among the team’s leading receivers.
Freshman Landy Gilpin, the coach’s son, will assume the starting role under center.
“Next man up,” the seventh-year coach said. “Everybody’s going to have to raise their level of play. Everybody’s got to raise their level of intensity. Everybody’s got to raise their level of execution. That’s how we’re going to try to compensate for the loss of one of the best quarterbacks around.”
Heading into Week 7, Hernandez led the Valley in passing completions (105), attempts (184), yards (1,597) and TDs (17). He had also thrown 10 interceptions — six of which came in two games, against Odessa Permian and Sharyland High.
After being sacked during the second quarter Friday, Hernandez was replaced by Landry Gilpin, who connected on six of 10 passes for 110 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing for 150 yards and one score on eight carries.
In a little more than a quarter of action, Hernandez threw for 168 yards and two TDs on 11 of 15 passing.
This week, Gilpin is gearing up for his first start as Mission Veterans (4-2, 1-1) takes on Sharyland Pioneer (6-1, 2-1) on Friday.
“There’s no room to feel sorry for ourselves,” Gilpin, the coach, said. “We can’t worry about things that are out of our control.
“You’ve got to be able to roll with the punches.”
NO WORD
Former PSJA North quarterback George Olivarez transferred to Edinburg Vela during the last week of September, fueling speculation about his potential desire to play for the SaberCats.
However, when the District 31-5A Executive Committee met Tuesday for the first time since the transfer, Edinburg Vela had not submitted a Previous Athletic Participation Form, which would have been one of the first steps in trying to determine Olivarez’s eligibility to play for the SaberCats.
It was unclear whether Olivarez, a senior, has any intention of playing football, or any other sport, at Vela. Only three regular-season games remain for SaberCats (7-0, 3-0), the No. 2-ranked team in the latest RGVSports.com top 10 poll.
Vela coach Michael Salinas could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
STATE LOVE
Edinburg Vela finished in a three-way tie for 13th place in the Associated Press’ Texas High School Football poll in Class 5A.
With 5 points, the SaberCats tied with Marshall and Ennis on the statewide list. That mark comes on the heels of Vela’s 49-14 win over Sharyland Pioneer.
The SaberCats were one of two the Valley teams to receive votes by the AP. McAllen Memorial, ranked No. 1 by RGVSports.com, mustered one point (for 19th place) in the AP’s 6A list.