By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Porter and Progreso rarely have been matched as opponents on the football field, possibly never before.
That all changes at 7:30 p.m. Friday when the Cowboys and Red Ants square off in a season opener at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Just like all other teams, a victory to start off the season would mean quite a bit to each of them.
“We were talking about it, and I’m not sure if Progreso has ever won a season opener,” said Red Ants coach Tom Salazar, a former coach in Brownsville ISD at Hanna, Porter and Pace who is now in his second year as the head coach in Progreso. “It would do a lot to help the confidence level of our kids.”
Porter coach Tom Campos feels the same way about the benefits of a season-opening victory. He also knows it won’t be easy against an opponent that is equally as hungry to win as his Cowboys.
“We need to play our style of ball, eliminate the silly mistakes, come out with a great attitude and finish the game,” said Campos, whose team scrimmaged Raymondville last Friday. “(Our players have to) believe in the process (we’ve undertaken).
“As far as if we’re ready (to open the season), after spring ball, summer strength and conditioning, two weeks of practices and a scrimmage, we better be ready,” Campos added. “We better be ready because I know Progreso will be.”
Porter’s last season-opening victory was a 35-21 road triumph over Edinburg Economedes in 2008, the year the Cowboys went 6-5 and made the playoffs the last time.
There are eight starters back on offense and six on defense to boost the Cowboys’ chances this season after an 0-10 finish in 2013. Among the returnees are junior quarterback Frank Alvarado and a fairly good-sized offensive line.
“I’ll do whatever I need to do to help this offense go (whether it’s run or pass),” Alvarado said during preseason workouts.
Progreso is coming off a 3-7 season and returns 10 starters on offense and seven on defense. One of the most promising among them is senior QB Dagoberto Zamora, an elusive runner who can also move the ball with his passing.
“Porter is a pretty well-organized team with some good numbers this year,” said Salazar, whose squad scrimmaged Zapata and Santa Maria. “They’re trying their darnedest.
“They’ve got some good size with their linemen,” Salazar added. “I don’t know if we can match up to them size-wise, so we’ve got to be quicker and react to the ball when it’s snapped. We have to be quicker than they are.”
Regarding his current team, the Progreso coach said, “Commitment (by the players) has been a question in the past. It looks like this group of kids has got what it takes (to be successful).”
The season continues with non-district games for both teams next Friday. Porter takes on “Battle of Southmost” rival Lopez and Progreso will be at home against Hidalgo.