DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
PSJA Southwest was without senior Jesus Acosta for last week’s non-district finale. And though the Javelinas fell 35-26 to Grulla, one thing was clear: they can compete even without arguably the top running back in District 32-5A.
The Javelinas’ ground game was still dominant and showcased a “next man up” potency without its star playmaker. Running back Justin Corona (140 yards, three TDs), quarterback Darren Estrada (85 yards, TD) and fullback Hector Pecina (60 yards) picked up the slack.
It doesn’t matter who coach Jesus Reyes throws in the backfield, thanks to a mobile athletic offensive line featuring senior center Shawn Gonzalez, David Rodriguez, left tackle Angel Valdez, Joey Castillo, Orlando Trevino and tight end Eli Flores.
“These kids are unselfish. They wanted to be linemen from day one,” Reyes said. “Most kids would rather play any other position. But these kids take pride in what they do. They’re not too big or too strong, but they’re athletes.”
Reyes said Acosta missed last week’s game for “team-related reasons,” but expects him to be ready to play next week’s district opener against Donna High.
NO PAIN, NO GAIN
The injuries keep coming for Edcouch-Elsa.
Just as starting safeties Victor Valdez and Adrian Rodriguez returned to the lineup last week at Edinburg North, the Yellowjackets temporarily lost junior quarterback Marco Aguinaga to a hairline fracture in his left hand.
Aguinaga is expected to be out 2-3 weeks, but coach Joe Marichalar said it’s a possibility his signal-caller is back on the field for next week’s district opener against PSJA High.
“If he gets the green light, he will play,” said Marichalar, who was told Aguinaga was hurt when his finger got caught trying to stiff-arm a defender. “As soon as he’s ready, he’ll go.”
In the meantime, senior Tey Valdez will likely take most of the reps with the starters during practice. In Aguinaga’s absence last week, Valdez starred with 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns in helping put away the Cougars late.
Not bad for a guy who’s No. 4 on the QB depth chart behind Aguinaga, Andrew Segura and Moses Gomez.
“We’ll go day-to-day and see how they look,” Marichalar said. “Tey is gutsy, mentally tough. He’s that guy that believes no guts, no glory. I love that about him. He’s fearless out there.”
Receivers J.J. Flores and Segura are day-to-day in returning from injuries and both are probable for next week’s game against the Bears. Marichalar said defensive lineman Julio Contreras is still awaiting results from his troubled knee. Running back Adrian Cardoza is expected to be ready to return to practice this week.
NORTH’S DEFENSE PERFORMS
Donna North has yet to win a game at the varsity football level, but its defense has been formidable in year 2.
Behind a slew of playmakers in linebackers Manuel Lerma and Carlos Hurtado, and defensive backs Mark Ochoa, Alex Gonzalez and Oscar Salas, North is allowing 21.6 points on 304.3 yards per game. The offense is still not where it needs to be, but defense has kept the Chiefs competitive.
Donna North is losing by an average of eight points, whereas this time last year, through the first three games, it was losing by an average of 12.
Ochoa leads the team with 14 tackles per game, four fumbles caused and one fumble recovery. Hurtado has two sacks, three quarterback pressures and an interception.
Lerma averages 13 tackles and has a sack, a caused fumble and a fumble recovery.