RGVSports.com STAFF
RGVSports.com’s Game of the Week finds two of the more prolific Valley programs facing off in what looks to be a high-scoring, up-tempo matchup.
The PSJA North Raiders and the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers combined to score 127 points during their respective Week 1 games. The Raiders trounced PSJA High 78-26 and the Chargers withstood a late rally from Donna to win 49-42. Both teams will look to keep up their offensive efficiency when they kickoff at 6 p.m. Saturday at PSJA ISD Stadium.
When these teams last met in 2014, Brownsville Vets got the better of PSJA North, 30-23. For the Raiders, that game was one of seven decided by eight points or less. In those games, PSJA North went 2-5. Despite coming up short in closely-contested matchups, the Raiders went 5-5 under first year coach Jorge Pena after going winless the year prior, finishing third in District 31-6A and advancing to the bi-district round.
This year, PSJA North returns 14 starters including quarterback George Olivarez, who was responsible for seven touchdowns during Friday’s blowout win in which the Raiders never punted nor committed a turnover. Olivarez was productive in the air and on the ground, completing 6-of-7 passes for 145 yards and two scores in addition to carrying the ball 17 times for 208 yards and five TDs.
The Chargers are looking to get back to the postseason. Despite going a respectable 4-3 in District 32-6A a year ago, they found themselves on the outside looking in at a four-way tie between Los Fresnos, Harlingen High, San Benito and Brownsville Rivera, all of which went 5-2 in district play.
During their Week 1 victory over Donna, Brownsville Vets quarterback Marcus Castillo rushed 33 times for 278 yards and four TDs. He also completed 9-of-12 through the air en route to 118 yards and a touchdown. As a team, the Chargers racked up 540 total yards of offense.