By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
When Edinburg Vela takes the field today for its Class 5A area-round matchup against Victoria East, the setting should be a bit more familiar.
Last year, the SaberCats went through a series of firsts — from a winning district record to their overall winning mark en route to a playoff introduction. It was almost one year to the day that Vela was in this position — in the second round, against a Victoria school — and there’s a better sense of comfort now within the program.
The SaberCats entered Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi armed with a 11-0 record, and a bevy of returners who took their lumps last season in a second-round loss to Victoria West.
“Last year, we were in unknown territory for some of our games,” coach Michael Salinas said of his fourth-year program. “But we have a ton of guys that were in those types of games, and they understand the amount of focus and effort it’s going to take to try to contain teams and get better.”
Vela has 27 returners on its side, and just as much firepower as a year ago. It won games by the second-widest margins in the Valley, other than McAllen Memorial, in 2015. And by most statistical measures, it has demonstrated growth from a year ago.
Its offense produced 47.3 points and 451.2 yards per game during the regular season, while its aerial attack spiked to 190.1 yards (from 158.7) with Fabian Pedraza under center now. Victoria East (7-4) also boasts a potent offensive attack with 48.5 yards and 477.8 yards a night, with the Titans favoring the run 58.5 percent of the time.
They have Desmond Molina (705 yards, 4 TDs) and Brandon Tumlinson (601 yards, 5 TDs) shouldering the bulk of the load on the ground, with Julius Whitby scoring six times on just 145 yards and 18 carries.
“They’re a darn good football team,” Salinas said. “They’ve played really well on offense, and they provide challenges defensively. We have to try to gain first downs and be opportunistic with the opportunities at hand.”
Victoria East, which finished third in District 30-5A, boasts a spread offense that Salinas’ group is familiar with, given the diversity in 31-5A.
Bailey Zappe, however, presents a challenge unlike anything the SaberCats have seen this year. The junior quarterback has thrown for 3,038 yards and 38 touchdowns to six interceptions, with four receivers catching more than 400 yards, including Bryce Martinez (1,215 yards, 18 TDs).
If the SaberCats are encouraged, it’s because the strongest part of their defense is in the secondary, where they surrendered 130.6 yards per game this season (to 220.1 rushing yards). And they have the second-round experience from last year to fall back on this time around.
“As you continue the win games, the stakes are going to go up and the competition is going to improve,” Salinas said. “Our kids understand that, and we’re going to go out there and try to play our best football.”