By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
The Pace Vikings haven’t found out what type of team they are this season, but they are starting to understand what they can do.
“We’re trying to find ourselves, find an identity for the team,” Pace coach William Deen said. “I think the kids are beginning to find that and understand they can compete and stay in ballgames.”
Pace seeks its first District 32-5A win of the season when it plays host to Donna High tonight at Sams Memorial Stadium.
The Vikings (1-3, 0-1) have put the points offensively, they’ve averaged almost 26 points and 246 yards per game, but they have been inconsistent at times. The Pace defense has been playing better of late.
Deen said the team has played better every week even though they’ve come up short, especially against Mercedes in Week 5.
The Vikings were down by 20 points at the break, held the Tigers in the second half and scored 14 unanswered points before they ran out of time against Mercedes in the district opener.
Also during Week 5, Donna High (1-2, 0-1) was in control at home during the third quarter and took a seven-point lead after quarterback Edward Dougherty’s second rushing touchdown of the game. PSJA Southwest ran the ball effectively, and running back Jesus Acosta scored twice in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
The inability to stop the run on defense has been a problem for the Redskins. Donna High has allowed 572 yards or 143 yards per game on the ground to opponents this season.
The Redskins’ offense will try and run the ball, and the Vikings’ offense will likely try to throw it all over the field.
And Pace will continue to strive for consistency on offense.
“We need to make first downs, move the ball,” Deen said. “We can’t put ourselves in second and long situation. We have to keep ourselves in a good situation offensively.
“The offense has to move the ball and put points on the board. We have to keep (our) defense off the field.”
The Redskins’ offense goes the way the team runs the ball, especially behind a big, physical offensive line.
“We have to control the ball offensively, (Donna High) is a big, strong and powerful offense that will wear you down,” Deen said. “We have to try and keep them off the field.”
The Vikings especially will key on Dougherty, one of the top runners in the district.
“We’re going to have to stop the run, their quarterback is a great runner,” Deen said. “We’re going to have to play the run and keep them in down and distance situations that we can handle.”
With a very good offense on each sideline, the defense that can contain the opponent’s offense most effectively likely will be the one celebrating its first district win.
Donna High coach Ramiro Leal could not be reached for comment as of press time.
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.