By ANDREW CRUM | Staff Writer
5. HANNA HAS MULTIPLE OPTIONS ON OFFENSE
The Golden Eagles struggled offensively at times in Week 1 and had hoped to rebound with a better offensive showing in Week 2. Hanna did indeed, using their ground game to lead the way with 294 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-7 victory over Porter. A trio of juniors, including running back Cesar Mancias, who totaled 136 yards rushing on 10 carries and a pair of touchdowns in the first half, led the Eagles rushing attack. The highlight was an 84-yard blast through the left side of the defense where Mancias outran everyone to score his second touchdown and give Hanna a 28-0 advantage with 3:41 left in the first half. He wasn’t the only one that did damage against the Cowboys’ defense. Fellow backs Aaron Frausto contributed 74 yards and two scores on nine carries and Joshua Hodge added 77 yards on nine carries.
4. ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY’S DEFENSE SHARES THE SPOTLIGHT
On what was a huge night offensively for St. Joseph senior quarterback Kai Money, who finished with 208 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and another 190 yards through the air and two scores in a 58-8 rout of Lyford, he wasn’t the biggest story. Money was impressive (as usual), leading an offensive unit that piled up 623 yards, including 402 on the ground, but the Bloodhounds’ defense made their own statement. St. Joseph held Lyford’s offense to 162 yards and nothing on the scoreboard — a nearly balanced effort allowing 82 yards rushing and 80 passing. The only points came via a kickoff return to start the third quarter, which was promptly equaled by the Bloodhounds’ Michael Mar-Maxwell with a 65 kickoff return of his own just 15 seconds later. Coming into the season, the defense was the team’s biggest question mark, but those questions seemed to be answered, at least for the moment after a dominant performance against Lyford.
3. RIVERA CAN SCORE POINTS
For the second straight week, Rivera showed its offense could score some points. After putting up 35 points in a Week 1 victory over Porter, the Raiders scored 28 points against Brownsville Veterans Memorial in a Week 2 loss. The Chargers scored 43 points and needed a couple Rivera turnovers in the second half to pull away during their non-district victory. During the offensive showdown, the Raiders cut the deficit to nine points in the third quarter before the Chargers scored a touchdown and a pair of field goals between the third and beginning of the final quarter to get some breathing room. Rivera showed its offensive balance with 158 yards on the ground and 165 through the air. Senior quarterback Nico Blanco threw three more touchdowns in Week 2 (after three in Week 1) and led the ground attack with 74 yards and a score. The Raiders’ offense was also without senior running back Quintae Smith-Barrett, who rushed for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Week 1. If Rivera keeps it up on offense, they could be dangerous as the season goes on.
2. LOPEZ RALLIES AS ITS DEFENSE GETS TOUGH(ER)
After a slow start in Week 2, Lopez figured it out on both sides of the ball. The Lobos’ offense had two early fumbles in its own territory that led to two touchdowns for Edinburg High and they trailed 14-0. Lopez righted the ship after falling behind and outscored Edinburg High 28-10 to stay unbeaten. The Lobos’ offense had no more turnovers and racked up 386 yards, including 310 on the ground. Senior running back Jose Echavarria finished with 142 yards rushing and a touchdown and even threw a 46-yard strike to Marco Solis for a touchdown. The Lopez defense did its part with a pair of interceptions and allowed just 258 yards. The regrouped effort by the Lobos not only kept perfect on the season, but also gave Lopez confidence with the district schedule beginning in just a couple weeks.
1. PACE MAY BE THE SURPRISE TEAM OF 2017
During Week 2, Pace went toe-to-toe with Sharyland Pioneer. Despite a 34-28 loss, the Vikings proved they could play with one of the better teams in the Rio Grande Valley. Sharyland Pioneer took an early lead and led 34-14 with 4:25 left in the third quarter. Pace never wavered and scored on its next drive to pull within 34-21 with a few seconds left in the third. The Vikings had another chance to score on their next drive, but fumbled and Sharyland Pioneer recovered on its own 10-yard line. But another punt by the Diamondbacks gave Pace another shot. The Vikings didn’t waste it and Gabriel Zapata scored on a 9-yard touchdown run to pull within 34-28. Pace tried an onside kick, but it slipped away from its player trying to field it and Sharyland Pioneer got the ball back. The Vikings never got the ball back as the Diamondbacks converted a first down. Pace may have lost the game, but if it continues to play like it has to open the season, it will be in the mix for a postseason berth.
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.