By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Week 10 finds all but one District 31-5A team in playoff contention.
And just like the other three matchups this week, Mission Veterans and Rio Grande City have plenty riding on their collision at 7 tonight at Joe R. Sanchez Stadium.
The Patriots (6-2 overall, 3-1 in district) are in the running for a 31-5A title. By beating the Rattlers, Mission Veterans would head into its regular-season finale with an opportunity to deal Edinburg Vela (9-0, 5-0) its first loss of the year, creating a two-way tie for first place.
“Right now, we’re still in control of that and we’re not looking for help,” Patriots coach David Gilpin said after his team beat Valley View in Week 9.
In losing three of its last four games, Rio Grande City (3-5, 1-3) is simply looking to keep its playoff chances alive. Hampered by injuries, the Rattlers missed the postseason last year. They’ve improved from a two-win season in 2014, beating Ingleside, La Joya Palmview and Valley View in quadruple overtime.
They came within a point of tying Edinburg Vela in Week 9, losing to the SaberCats by one point for a second straight year.
“It’s like I told them, ‘Games like that, if you give the championship effort, that’s all we could ask for,’” Rattlers coach Carlos Longoria said. “I told them, ‘I know you’re that good and can play at the level. We just have to take care of business.’”
Longoria said that was “definitely” the best game his team has played all year, despite the loss. They racked up a season-high 443 yards of offense, with 380 on the ground. Gerardo Garcia, who has battled through shoulder injuries the past two seasons, enjoyed a breakout game against Vela. The senior ran for 169 yards on 14 carries, scoring once, giving RGC another threat at running back the final two games of the season.
“We hold our destiny in our hands,” Longoria said. “It’s on us, and the kids know it. They’re going to give us their best attitude and effort.”
The Patriots have also dealt with their share of setbacks, losing quarterback Diego Hernandez for the year due to injury, and having one of their most productive receivers in Adam Solis transfer mid-season. Still, Mission Veterans has won five of their last six games, including three straight with Landry Gilpin under center.
The freshman was inserted into the starting role after losing Hernandez in the district opener against Sharyland. Gilpin has totaled 1,030 yards of offense and 10 touchdowns in wins over Roma, Sharyland Pioneer and Valley View to stay in the running for a district title.
“We’re doing it without Diego, and that’s a credit to this football team and the coaches in the locker room,” Gilpin said. “They continue to grind, saying ‘next man up,’ and they’re not making any excuses.”