By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Three Metro-area teams are ready to battle with district opponents in Week 7.
Los Fresnos tries to stay atop District 32-6A when it plays host to Harlingen South at Leo Aguilar Stadium. Pace looks for its first district win of the season, playing at home against PSJA High in a District 32-5A game at Sams Memorial Stadium. Both games are at 7:30 p.m. Friday. And, St. Joseph Academy opens TAPPS Division I District 2 play on the road against San Antonio Christian at 7 p.m. Friday at Lions Pride Stadium in San Antonio.
The Falcons expect another physically demanding game this week against the Hawks, similar to last week’s game against San Benito.
Los Fresnos won that game 14-7 against the Greyhounds but had to grind it out with a gritty performance.
Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley takes no stock in Harlingen South’s record. The Hawks’ first three games of the season were against teams that were 11-1.
“They have some pretty good talent over there,” he said. “They have some pretty special athletes, several play both ways. They’re tough kids, they play hard and they are as dangerous as anyone in the district.”
Harlingen South coach Lanny Wilson gave the Falcons the same respect.
“We’re getting a little bit better each week, and we may be playing the best team in the district,” he said. “They’re a really good football team. I would say they’re the district favorites.”
Both coaches mentioned winning the turnover game and not giving their opponent extra chances. And that could be the key for either side.
“You can’t make mistakes against a good team,” Wilson said. “Los Fresnos is going to be a challenge, but we prepare to win. Our kids are confident, so it should be a good game.”
Los Fresnos knows it needs to play to its potential through this tough stretch of the schedule.
“We’re going to have to control our emotions, make sure we don’t get too high or low, just stay at an even keel,” Finley said. “We have to stay focused and be able to compete week in and week out. We’re getting to that part of our schedule where we can’t afford to not be at our best.”
Pace looks to earn first district win: The Vikings are still searching for their first win of the season and hope to get on track against PSJA High.
It starts with an offense that has struggled at times, but injuries have been a big reason for that, especially on the offensive line. Pace has made some adjustments to personnel and hopes to but it together against the Bears.
“I’m hoping we can move the ball against (PSJA High). First downs lead to touchdowns,” Pace coach William Deen said. “We need to control the game from the offensive perspective.”
The Vikings hope a fast start on either side of the ball will lead to early success.
“We can’t chase, we have to put them in the chase position,” Deen said. “We have to play a solid football game. We have to control the football to control the game.”
St. Joseph opens district on the road: The Bloodhounds are rested and ready for their district opener against the Lions.
The extra time was needed to prepare for San Antonio Christian’s spread offense, which often switches from up-tempo to a slow-it-down, grind-the-clock offense.
“It’s a big worry for us to make sure we’re in the right place and disguise what coverage we’re in,” St. Joseph coach Tino Villarreal said. “They’re going to outsize us, but we were able to scout them last week. (After the bye week) we’re definitely healthy, and we’re prepared.”
But two things stand out for Villarreal to be successful against the Lions.
“We have to be able to run the football, that’s going to be key on offense,” he said. “Defensively, we have to stop the vertical game. They like getting to the sidelines with their big receivers, so we have to take that away.”
And St. Joseph is confident as it starts the district season.
“I’m just looking forward to getting our first district win,” Villarreal said.
PSJA High coach Steve Marroquin and San Antonio Christian coach Denny Peel could not be reached for comment.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.