By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
The Los Fresnos Falcons have secured a playoff berth in District 32-6A, and the Hanna Golden Eagles have been eliminated from contention.
But when the two teams meet at 7 tonight at Sams Memorial Stadium, pride — and possibly a co-district title for Los Fresnos — still will be the on the line.
Depending on the result of Friday’s game between the Rivera Raiders and San Benito Greyhounds, the Falcons (6-3, 4-2 in district) could still be eligible to share the district championship with a win over Hanna (3-5, 2-4). Falcons coach Clint Finley knows the stakes if Rivera wins and wants his team to be prepared.
“We want to play our best game yet and show that we’re ready,” he said. “We need to do what we can to be where we want to be.”
The Falcons will look to showcase their talent one last time before the playoffs and will be led by dynamic quarterback Pierce Ruiz. Though Ruiz doesn’t lead the district in any one category, he is as effective through the air as he is on the ground. He’s found the end zone 16 times this year by combining 920 passing yards with 151 carries for 725 yards.
Whether or not a district title is on the line, Finley isn’t about to let his team overlook the Eagles.
“(Hanna is) a very talented team,” he said. “They’ve got a big defensive line with skilled kids, and they’ve got a quarterback and some receivers that do a great job.”
Hanna’s Andy Lopez has been the most efficient passer in the district this season, completing 67 percent of his passes for 1,538 yards, 710 of which have gone to his favorite target, Lucas Olivares.
Olivares is one of the district’s top receivers and is expected to play this week after being sidelined during last week’s contest after tweaking his ankle.
While the Eagles’ season will end tonight, they still want to treat it as a meaningful game.
“I hope we come out and play hard and end the season on a high note,” Hanna coach Rene Medrano said. “We had a team meeting this week, and we just want to go out there and have fun.
“It’s a big game for the seniors. They’re disappointed the season didn’t work out the way they’d hoped, but this district’s close. A play here or a play there makes all the difference.”
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.