By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Regardless of who wins this week, it will be the Raiders vs. the Bulldogs next week in the second round of the Class 6A Division II state football playoffs.
That’s because the winner of Friday’s 7:30 p.m. bi-district game at PSJA Stadium in Pharr between the Rivera Raiders and PSJA North Raiders will be going against the winner of Thursday’s bi-district matchupin Laredobetween the McAllen High Bulldogs and the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs.
“It’ll be the Raiders vs. the Bulldogs next week, you can write that,” PSJA North coach Jorge Peña said with a chuckle.
Yes, but just which Raiders?
That remains to be seen as Rivera and PSJA North share some similarities beyond their mascot names. Both teams are 5-5 and have experienced their share of trials en route to the postseason this year.
Rivera started off 0-5 before winning its next five games, including a 42-35 thriller on the road against San Benitolast week to finish the regular season in a four-way tie for the District 32-6A championship at 5-2.
Rebounding from last year’s 0-10 finish, PSJA North has come a long way under Peña, a veteran of the Rio GrandeValleycoaching scene who is completing his first season of guiding the Raiders. PSJA North, 1-3 at one point this season, is coming off last week’s 49-0 triumph over Edinburg High.
Peña is impressed with those other Raiders from Brownsville .
“It’s a typical Tom Chavez-coached team,” Peñasaid of Rivera. “It’s a well-disciplined team. They’re peaking at just the right time, and they’re playing their best football. They’re probably playing the best football of any team in that district right now.
“We know what we’re up against,” he added. “We have to be real polished and avoid making turnovers, because it’s going to come down to the team making the fewest mistakes (as the winner).”
Sparking PSJA North’s spread offense is quarterback George Olivarez, who is among the District 31-6A leaders in passing and running. He has rushed for 980 yards and 15 touchdowns, and passed for 753 yards and three scores.
It figures to be a defensive battle between the two Raiders squads on Friday as Rivera ranks first in 32-6A, giving up 242.0 yards per game, and PSJA North ranks second in 31-6A, allowing 249.9 yards per contest.
Rivera boasts a solid leader in QB Danny Elizondo, who has passed for 1,669 yards and 18 TDs while rushing for 551 yards and 11 scores. Elizondo’s favorite receiving targets are Edward Rubio with a district-best 41 catches for 676 yards and 13 TDs, and Sammy Orive with 30 receptions for 553 yards and four TDs.
“We both have the same records, and we see it as being a very physical game (with PSJA North),” said Rubio, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior tight end and three-year starter. “It’s going to be who wants it more at the end. (We’ve had some close games like last week against San Benitoand) it really is a confidence booster to know that we can pull through if we just keep trying. If we want it and we give 110 percent, we can get it.”
Fielding playoff teams in back-to-back years at Rivera is pretty significant for him and the school, Chavez said.
“It means a lot to me, and not only to me, but for the kids’ sake as well,” the veteran Rivera coach said. “For the players who have been here and gone to the playoffs (twice now) and won a championship (this year), it’s not about me, it’s about them, because without them, none of this could have happened. I really believe that.
“(As coaches,) we’re just there to help them and get them going,” Chavez added. “As long as they buy into it, then we can have the type of success we’re having. I’m just really proud of the guys we’ve had here at our school.”