Both the Edinburg Vela SaberCats and San Benito Greyhounds have qualified for the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons.
The two programs have never met head-to-head, however.
That changes this week as the District 31-6A champion SaberCats (10-0, 8-0) are set to host the Greyhounds (8-2, 5-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
The District 31-6A champion SaberCats allow just 140.5 total yards per game to opposing offenses, the top mark in the Rio Grande Valley. Meanwhile, the Greyhounds defense has surrendered just three points over its last three games.
Edinburg Vela’s offense is led by all-purpose back PJ Rivera (777 total yards, 13 total touchdowns), quarterback Chase Campbell (1,476 passing yards, 22 touchdowns) and outside threats Carlos Tamez (377 receiving yards, eight touchdowns) and Justin Vega (495 receiving yards, six touchdowns). Leading San Benito is sophomore running back Fabian Garcia (1,148 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) and do-it-all athlete Jermaine Corbin (800 total yards, 15 touchdowns).
The Region IV-6A Division II matchup between the No. 7-ranked Greyhounds and No. 1 SaberCats, according to the latest RGVSports.com top 10 poll, is one for all RGV football fans to keep an eye on.
EAGLES’ HOME AWAY FROM HOME
A season without any true home games sounds like an uphill battle for any squad, but the Mission High Eagles have flown through adversity while their homefield of Tom Landry Stadium undergoes repairs this season.
The Eagles played the majority of their home contests at Hidalgo High School’s Bill Pate Memorial Stadium. While it’s nearly a 30-minute drive from Mission High School, the Eagles have found a way to get the job done, and in dramatic fashion.
Mission has gone 4-1 in games at Bill Pate Memorial Stadium, and all five have been decided by one score or less.
The Eagles will now host Los Fresnos (6-3, 5-2) in Region IV-6A Division I bi-district action at 7 p.m. Friday at Bill Pate Memorial Stadium in Hidalgo.
LA VILLA READY TO BEGIN PLAYOFF RUN
The District 16-2A DI champion La Villa Cardinals are riding a five-game winning streak entering the postseason.
La Villa won its first district title in eight years, as well as earning the opportunity to play its first-round playoff game in the Valley. The Cardinals’ reward as the No. 1 seed in 16-2A DI: a matchup against Freer (3-6, 1-3). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Gladiator Arena in Roma.