ELSA — It can be argued that there is not a livelier place in the Valley these days than Edcouch-Elsa. And for good reason, too, as the Yellowjackets’ football team (8-4) heads into its Class 4A Division II Region IV semifinal against No. 10-state ranked San Antonio Brennan (12-0) tonight at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville.
“I’ve always said there’s high school football, and then there’s ’Jacket football,” said E-E resident Albert Vasquez, a 28-year-old season ticket holder who has been attending games since he was 4. “It’s something very unique.
“When it’s football season, it’s a reunion for 10,000 fans.”
The community of Edcouch-Elsa, which holds a population of approximately 8,900, is “Friday Night Lights” on steroids. There is overwhelming affection for the Yellowjackets, who boast a strong tradition complete with 20 district championships — including a share of this year’s — and seven third-round playoff appearances, a relevant accomplishment for Valley programs.
La Maquina Amarilla. The Big Yellow Machine.
“Edcouch-Elsa is all about its football,” junior running back Miguel Mariscal said. “That’s all it’s about. We have fans that are with us every single step of the way, and they’re our inspiration.”
Indeed, it is a rabid environment brimming with intense passion for the ’Jackets. That was never more evident than this season, when the program was dealt severe punishments by the UIL for violating the eight-hour weekly practice rule in Week 0, consequences that included the suspension of longtime head coach Joe Solis, forfeiture of two non-district wins and a three-year probationary period.
Only weeks ago the community had a dark cloud lounging over it. Words were short. Faces were dour. Body language was worse.
“Gloomy,” said veteran defensive coordinator and acting head coach Joe Garcia, a 15-year citizen of Edcouch-Elsa. “And it was everybody — coaches, players, community. As a coach, you tried to get the kids going, but it was tough. They had their heads down, but then the Austin thing (where the UIL delivered its punishments on Oct. 31) happened and changes were made, and THAT was tough. It took some time.
“But we got going with everything and people started feeling what their roles were. This is where we’re at now. Everybody’s together and it’s a good feeling.”
And now, spirits are revived.
“The Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets pretty much represent the heart and souls of those in the community,” said Jose Rodriguez, E-E Class of 2007. “When it comes to football, there is too much at stake down here. It’s not just the students who play on Friday nights, it’s the entire city.”
As it is, the parents and uncles and cousins do enough for the kids to understand the importance of putting on the Yellowjacket uniform. Like playing for Odessa Permian, Southlake Carroll or Katy, there is tremendous responsibility for those who step between the white lines at Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium on Yellowjacket Drive.
“You don’t have to do a lot to motivate the kids,” said Raul Guajardo, a native of Edcouch-Elsa and 1989 graduate who played football and also coached at the school in 2006. “It comes from the house.”
It is such that outsiders question the community’s commitment to an extracurricular program at Edcouch-Elsa High School, which received a Stage 5 designation, the harshest category, for federal Adequate Yearly Progress standards earlier this year.
So the question is, why show such strong support for an athletic club when the institution it represents is struggling where it counts?
“There’s no real outlet for the community. That’s the major thing,” Guajardo said. “Football is their thing. I don’t know if these things tie together, but the academic reports have really dropped while the athletic performance, at least on the football field, has really improved. Back then, they were both the same.
“But with more kids coming in across the border, maybe that has something to do with that. But that’s no excuse. We have to get the scores good.”
It’s an issue that stands as the elephant in the room, normal for any small city that wears its heart for sports on its sleeve. As for the now, however, there’s no question the team is passing with flying colors in the classroom that many E-E residents cherish the most, the football field.
“Small cities have big hearts,” Rodriguez said. “Once it gets to the third round of the playoffs, the road to walk on gets thin, but the hope for something — the heart and soul of the players, coaches, fans and alumni — does not falter.”
Or, as Vasquez simply puts it: “We’d follow them through the gates of hell if we have to.”