By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Port Isabel, St. Joseph set for showdown
With Port Isabel and St. Joseph Academy each winning in Week 4, both remain unbeaten on the season. The Tarpons took care of La Feria 35-21 on the road, and the Bloodhounds took down Raymondville 45-20 to move to 4-0 on the season and unbeaten as they get ready to clash in Week 5. The last time this happened was in 2014, and Port Isabel took the home victory 44-21. Last season, the Bloodhounds lost their opener but had won three straight heading to the game with the Tarpons. Port Isabel was unbeaten at 3-0 and lost on the road to St. Joseph 42-27. When the high-scoring offense of St. Joseph faces off against the stout defense of Port Isabel anything can happen and usually does. The Bloodhounds are scoring nearly 47 points per game and the Tarpons’ defense is only allowing 12 points per game, so it should be an interesting battle between the two teams.
Pace still looking for answers
Looking for its first win on the season, Pace had opportunities against La Joya Palmview. With the score tied at 14 in the fourth quarter, turnovers prevented the Vikings from breaking through to the win column. Quarterback Randy Aguilar had a big game with 250 yards of offense and two touchdowns, but it was thwarted by three interceptions and Pace was unable to capitalize on opportunities, especially late in the game, to remain winless on the season. Before Week 4, the Vikings had struggled with their offensive production, and it hindered their defense by keeping them on the field. While it seems the offensive game plan was more effective, turnovers ruined a chance to get a win. Pace plays host to Brownsville Veterans Memorial this week to start District 32-5A.
Los Fresnos learns lesson
On paper, a 2-point loss for Los Fresnos doesn’t seem like much. Except it was a stomach punch for the Falcons, especially after taking a late lead and then giving it up with just over a minute to play in the 32-30 home loss to McAllen Memorial. It ended a two-game winning streak for the Falcons and ended a two-game losing streak for the Mustangs. But it may be a lesson Los Fresnos looks back on as it begins District 32-6A. The Falcons had two official turnovers but at least three other mistakes that prevented them from a victory in their final non-district game. While each is easily corrected going forward, I’m sure there will be a time or two during district play that the Falcons will remember those errors and won’t let them happen again. Los Fresnos has plenty of talent and will need to be nearly mistake free to be successful in the toughened District 32-6A this season.
Teams prepare for district play to start
While most teams had a bye week last week it allowed for rest, healing injuries and extra preparation for the beginning of district play for Class 5A and 6A. While the non-district schedule is important, most coaches view it as the preseason and now with district games to begin, the “real” games begin as teams start the fight to a postseason berth. Los Fresnos battles San Benito in a top-flight game Friday and Rivera and Hanna face off Saturday as the District 32-6A slate kicks off. In the newly aligned District 32-5A, Brownsville Veterans Memorial takes on Pace in another rivalry in the making Friday, but it follows Porter and Lopez, who meet for its annual Battle of Southmost, now a district game, on Thursday.
Battle of Southmost buildup
One of the annual battles in Brownsville just got pushed up a notch. Porter and Lopez battle in the Battle of Southmost, which has become a rivalry for the pride of the community. Now that circled game on the schedule is even more important, as it once again becomes a district game as the teams begin play in District 32-5A. Last year, Porter took the non-district contest 21-16 and went on to earn a postseason berth. Lopez struggled and went on to win just one game during the season. But the Cowboys have struggled so far this season, and Lopez has won two straight games with the help from its revived defense.
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.