BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Two weeks ago, questions abounded as to whether PSJA North could maintain its ferocious offensive pace with the departure of senior quarterback George Olivarez. At the time of his leaving, Olivarez accounted for more than half of the North’s offensive production.
In the two games since, it’s been business as usual for the Raiders. The team responded with back-to-back wins against Edinburg North and PSJA Memorial while averaging 428 yards of offense.
“Guys have been stepping up for us all year,” North coach Jorge Peña said. “Aside from roster issues, we’ve had a bunch of injuries, but a lot of kids have come through and delivered when they were asked to do so.”
So it is that North (3-4, 2-1 District 31-6A) will bring its district-leading offense into Cats Stadium today at 7 p.m. to face Edinburg Economedes, a physical team that boasts the best statistical defense in the district, allowing 238 yards per game.
As far as stopping the Raiders, however, Econ coach Gabe Peña is simultaneously coy and honest about his team’s strategy.
“We’re still trying to figure that puzzle out,” the fifth-year coach said. “They present a lot of challenges for our team. With the talent level they have, they’re explosive. They’re probably the most talented team in the district.”
Though the Raiders sit below .500, they’re not without talent in the absence of Olivarez. New quarterback Darren Fuentes has played efficiently in his first two games as a starter, completing 7-of-19 passing attempts for 118 yards and an interception while gaining 188 yards on the ground. In the same two-game span, teammate Brandon Villarreal has gained 413 yards rushing yards and five touchdowns.
But the Raiders defense has shown up, as well. Though that unit allows a district-worst 420 yards per game, they’ve limited their last two opponents to an average of 331 yards. Though such numbers still make North a middling defense, it’s nonetheless a noted improvement for a group in search of answers.
“Those guys play with a chip on their shoulder,” Jorge Peña said. “They know they have a reputation, and they’re doing their best to go out there and play.”
Economedes’ offense will look to control the tempo of the game with their rushing attack. The Jaguars (3-3, 1-1) enter Thursday’s game having won three of their last four, averaging 239 yards on the ground in those victories. The spark for Econ’s ground game has been the return of Chris Izaguirre, who missed four weeks with a lower back injury. In his two games back, Izaguirre has rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
“We’ve still got a chance of ending up where we want to be, and that’s in the playoffs.” Gabe Peña said. “The kids all know what’s expected of them, we just have to go out there and take care of we can control.