By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
The Rivera Raiders, in search of their first win of the season, will attempt to fend off the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Last week, Rivera (0-4, 0-1) dropped a 17-10 contest to the Harlingen High Cardinals (2-2, 1-0) in a game that was more lopsided than the score indicated. The normally high-octane Raiders’ passing attack was almost entirely neutralized by the Cardinals’ defense.
Throwing the football has been a staple of the Rivera offense. Despite completing just 3 of 14 passes for 86 yards last week, quarterback Danny Elizondo is still ranked No. 1 among District 32-6A teams in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns.
Coach Tom Chavez wants more production from that part of his offense this week against the Chargers (3-1, 1-0).
“We’ve got to block better on the offensive line,” he said. “We’ve been throwing the ball well this year. We have to take advantage of whatever (Brownsville Veterans) gives us.”
Brownsville Veterans has allowed 441 yards passing after four games this season, and Chargers coach Dave Cantu knows it’s an area of focus this week.
“We’ve got to cover guys like (Edward Rubio and Sammy Orive) and give their quarterback multiple looks,” he said. “Most importantly, we have to get some pressure on the quarterback.”
On the other side of the ball, a Rivera run defense that has been relatively strong this year will be put to the test against the district’s leading rushing team.
“Our defense has played well the first four games,” Chavez said. “We have to continue to do that.”
The Chargers likely will lean on quarterback Marcus Castillo and running backs Derrik Rodriguez and Carlos Garza, who each rank in the top five in rushing yards in the district. The triple threat has combined to run for more than 1,000 yards on the season.
Last week, Castillo and Garza combined for 231 yards on 25 carries during a 28-20 win over the Harlingen South Hawks (1-3, 0-1).
Rivera’s team is healthy heading into the weekend, but Chargers senior defensive tackle Daniel Espinosa will miss Saturday’s game with a knee injury he suffered last week.
The Raiders will next play at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 against the Lopez Lobos, and the Chargers will play at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 against the Hanna Golden Eagles. Both games will be played at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.