BY ANDREW CRUM | STAFF WRITER
Rivera and Brownsville Veterans Memorial both showed plenty of firepower in Week 1. Each team knows the same offensive output will likely be needed again to try and remain perfect to start the season.
The Raiders (1-0) and Chargers (1-0) clash in what could be an offensive showdown in The Brownsville Herald’s Game of the Week at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Rivera racked up 334 yards of total offense, including 215 on the ground, in a 35-14 win over Porter to open the season. The Raiders’ rushing attack was led by senior running back Quintae Smith-Barrett, who chewed up 187 yards to go with a pair of touchdowns. Through the air, senior quarterback Nico Blanco threw three touchdown passes to fellow senior receiver Oscar Lozoya, who finished with four catches for 86 yards.
“We want to do offensively and defensively what we did against Porter,” Rivera coach
Tom Chavez said. “We want to build on that and get better at that and hopefully improve, we need to improve every practice, every week.
“We want to be balanced offensively. And our offense has to score and move the chains.”
Brownsville Veterans totaled 361 yards in a 39-21 comeback victory over Edinburg North. It was the Chargers’ second consecutive come-from-behind win over the Cougars after rallying from a two-score halftime hole to top them 17-14 in both teams’ 2016 season opener.
Brownsville Veterans started slow and trailed early but found its rhythm, helped by 218 yards and four touchdowns combined for senior quarterback Gustavo Vasquez and senior running back Abel Martinez. Vasquez also passed for 92 yards as the Chargers also started its campaign on a good note.
“It definitely helps to come off a win, it feels better … a little more pep in the kids step,” Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said. “(Those pass plays) were run-pass options, so Gustavo had the option to run or pass. We’re definitely preparing like we need to throw it a lot because they like to put a lot of very aggressive, fast defenders in the box. (Rivera) can make it difficult to run it.
“I feel like we have to throw it better to be successful.”
With two offenses capable of lighting up the scoreboard and racking up the yards, the defensive units might be in the spotlight to shine and could be the difference in deciding which team comes out on top.
“Everybody knows about Gustavo, he’s a very good athlete,” Chavez said. “Their running back (Abel Martinez) … they are both pretty good. We need to stop them from scoring so much. We know they’re going to score, so our defense just has to limit them.”
Brownsville Veterans’ defense was especially strong in the second half in Week 1 against Edinburg North. The unit made its necessary adjustments at the break and Dave Evans’ 4-2-5 defense allowed just 18 yards and zero points after halftime.
“The key will be upfront, they have a good offensive line, so we have to hold our own (on defense),” Cantu said. “They’re good at what they do (offensively), so it’s going to be a big test.”
As both teams hope to continue their momentum from Week 1, the coaches hope to translate that from the practice field to game time.
“We just need to do what we’ve been doing in practice and continue that on the field to be successful,” Chavez said. “We need to focus on what we’ve done in practice and play the game as hard as we can.”
Cantu said it’s going to take a complete-game effort.
“Commitment to play four quarters, just like the kids had last week,” he said. “When things looked gloomy in the beginning, it didn’t change the way anybody coached or played.
“I feel like if we do that, we have a chance (this week).”
Both Rivera and Brownsville Veterans have the offense to put points on the board, so the game could be a test for each defensive unit. The Raiders allowed just 14 in Week 1 and the Chargers shut out Edinburg North in the second half, allowing just 18 yards of offense after allowing 21 first-half points. Brownsville Veterans’ unit should be the better of the two and help the Chargers earn the victory.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Veterans 28, Rivera 21
Thursday’s Game
Non-District
EDINBURG HIGH AT LOPEZ
WHEN: 7 p.m., Thursday
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium
RECORDS: Edinburg High (0-1); LOPEZ (1-0)
GAME NOTES: While Lopez opened the season looking dominant at Port Isabel in a 35-13 win, Edinburg High was thumped 30-9 in its opner versus McAllen Rowe. … The Lobos’ defense looked strong, holding the Tarpons to just 93 yards of total offense, two scores and forced a pair of fumbles. … The Lopez ground game had a big night in Week 1, racking up 286 on 42 carries. The Lobos also had three different players run for scores. … Edinburg’s offense struggled to move the ball in Week 1 and recorded 79 yards of total offense. … The Bobcat defense had trouble defending the pass as the Warriors Jesus Sanchez put up 257 yards on 18-of-25 passing. Edinburg also gace up another 140 yards on the ground. … Lopez squeaked out a 20-15 win on the road in Edinburg last season. … Lopez showed that it can be dominant on defense and move the football on offense. Edinburg struggled on both sides of the ball last week and could be in for another long night when it comes to Sam’s Stadium on Thursday.
PREDICTION: Lopez 31, Edinburg High 17
— Mark Molina
Friday’s Games
Non-district
HANNA AT PORTER
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium
RECORDS: Hanna (0-1); Porter (0-1)
GAME NOTES: Hanna lost at home to Edinburg Economedes 19-14 in Week 1. The Golden Eagles played without starting quarterback Joe Cavazos III due to an injury. … The Hanna offense was led by running back Cesar Mancias who finished with 139 yards on the ground. Mancias will be looked upon to do the same in Week 2. … The Eagles’ defense scored a touchdown on a 77-yard interception return by Matthew Garcia in Week 1. The unit played well in Week 1 and could be a key to earning a win in Week 2. … Porter was defeated by Rivera 35-14 in Week 1. … The Cowboys’ offense played well, but couldn’t match the firepower of Rivera last week. Jose Villalon and Ramiro Martinez combined for 131 yards and a touchdown. … The Porter defense struggled at times, especially against the run allowing 215 yards. It will need to contain Mancias to help earn its first win of the season. … Both teams are looking for their first win of the season. … The key will be how well Hanna’s offense plays against Porter’s defense.
PREDICTION: Hanna 27, Porter 24
— Andrew Crum
LYFORD AT ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE: Canales Field
RECORDS: Lyford (1-0); St. Joseph (0-1)
GAME NOTES: Lyford is coming off last week’s 48-14 season-opening win at Progreso, while SJA lost at home 38-22 against Grulla last week in its first game of the season … a common opponent for the two teams is Progreso as the Bloodhounds went against the Red Ants in a scrimmage on Aug. 24 and essentially won 35-0, having won the controlled portion of the scrimmage 7-0 before taking the game conditions part 28-0 … SJA won 30-7 at Lyford last season. In 2015, the Bulldogs and Bloodhounds played in Brownsville with SJA winning 73-22. In 2014, the Bloodhounds won 38-27 in Lyford and they won 64-40 in Lyford to open the season in 2013. The last time the Bulldogs won in the long-standing series was 2012 when they defeated SJA 42-27 in Brownsville … The Bloodhounds will try to avoid turnovers (3 in the first half vs. Grulla) against Lyford. That was something that hurt them against Grulla. SJA’s fast-paced offense is led by senior QB Kai Money, who is a threat to pass and run. He threw for 178 yards with 3 TDs and an INT vs. Grulla.
PREDICTION: St. Joseph, 24, Lyford 21
— Roy Hess
Saturday’s Game
Non-District
SHARYLAND PIONEER AT PACE
WHEN: 11 a.m., Saturday
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium
RECORDS: Sharyland Pioneer (0-1); Pace (1-0)
GAME NOTES: Sharyland Pioneer lost at home to McAllen Memorial 41-24 in Week 1. … The Diamondbacks offense put up 383 yards of offense, including 245 on the ground. Quarterback Jacob Rosales was a dual threat with 138 yards and a touchdown through the air and 127 yards and another score on the ground. … The Sharyland Pioneer defense allowed 327 yards, including 248 yards rushing. … Pace shut out PSJA Southwest 28-0 in Week 1. … The Vikings’ offense racked up 324 yards, including 177 through the air. Quarterback Randy Aguilar threw three touchdowns, including one to Gabriel Zapata, and ran for another. … The Pace defense was stout, allowing just 75 yards and forced a fumble in Week 1. The unit has its work cut out for it this week and will have to contain Rosales to give the Vikings a shot to win. … Both Sharyland Pioneer and Pace can rack up the yards and put up the points, but the key might be the defensive unit that is able to get the most stops and force turnovers. It might be low scoring if each team’s defense plays strong.
PREDICTION: Pace 21, Sharyland Pioneer 20
— Andrew Crum