By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — For the past couple of years, Mission Veterans Memorial coach David Gilpin viewed Sharyland High as a roadblock to its District 31-5A title hopes.
After all, the Rattlers beat the Patriots 37-20 last season en route to claiming their third consecutive district crown. And while Sharyland enters this year’s matchup in a unique situation — coming off a loss to Edinburg Vela, the favorites to win district — Gilpin maintains their 31-5A opener carries plenty of weight.
“Obviously if we’re hoping to get a share of the district championship, it starts (tonight),” the seventh-year coach said.
The Patriots (3-1, 0-0) had two weeks to prepare for their 31-5A opener at 7:30 p.m. at Richard Thompson Stadium. Sharyland (2-3, 0-1) endured a 48-47 loss in Week 5 in a game that was decided in the closing seconds. Rattlers quarterback Seth Carter fumbled the ball as he attempted a 5-yard scoring run, allowing Vela to preserve the win.
Carter finished with 542 yards of offense, while accounting for six touchdowns.
“They’re impressive,” said Gilpin, who saw the game live due to the bye. “They raised their level of play last week; there’s no doubt they’re legitimate. Seth Carter was the man Friday night. I’m very impressed with that young man.
“I know (Sharyland) coach (Ron) Adame, and they do a great job. I saw what I expected last week: a proud team, a proud program, fighting for what they feel is their district. It took everything Vela had to get them.”
Gilpin lauded Carter as “one of the best athletes in the Valley,” adding he was impressed by his leadership “to get them to play at another level.”
Having lost three games going into Week 6, the Rattlers are in unfamiliar territory. They’re adjusting to the loss of a large senior class, while developing young talent. Ranked No. 7 in the latest RGVSports.com top 10 poll, Sharyland has yet to lose to Mission Veterans in four matchups, dating back to last season and two during the early 2000s.
The loss for the Patriots in 2014 came as the Rattlers were one win shy of recording their third consecutive 10-0 regular season.
The circumstances are different this year. Returning only four starters, Sharyland did not enter the season as runaway favorites to win district again. And Mission Veterans, with a core group of returners, especially on offense, appear primed to build on last season’s area-round run.
“They’re a good team,” Adame said. “They’ve got talent. They’re very explosive offensively, and their defense is legit. They’re well-coached. They have momentum on their side; with the exception of the Odessa Permian loss, they’ve pretty much dominated the teams they’ve played.
“We’re expecting their best. It’s one of those games where the outcome of last week (against Vela) makes this almost crucial.”
Both teams’ offenses rank among the top three in district. After posting 675 yards last week, Sharyland is first with an average of 450.6 yards, while Mission Veterans is third with 434.3. The difference is in their defense. The Patriots are fourth in district, surrendering 289 yards per contest, including an average of 191.5 against the run.
The Rattlers are last in 31-5A, giving up 398 yards per game after yielding 504 to Vela.
“They’re just as good, if not better than last year,” Adame said. “We’re expecting their best. We’ve just got to worry about our boys, and make sure we come out ready to play.”