By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
It didn’t sit right with the Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagles that they failed to reach the Class 6A state playoffs in 2019.
With 22 lettermen and 15 starters returning, they knew this year would be different, even if people outside of the program had doubts. Hanna went from being 3-7, 1-4 in 2019 to being the undefeated District 32-6A southeast zone and co-district champions.
Now, the Golden Eagles (4-0, 3-0) are ready to keep showing what they’re made of with another long playoff run, starting with a Class 6A Division II bi-district game at 7 p.m. today at Sams Memorial Stadium against PSJA North (4-3, 3-1).
“We had some really close losses last year. We knew we were right on the cusp of being in the playoffs, and we feel we should have been,” Hanna coach Mark Guess said. “These guys wanted to get back in, and not only get in the playoffs, our goal was to win a district championship. All things being the way they are right now, even getting a piece of it when we were picked sixth in our district … is a big accomplishment. But we’re not surprised. We expected that. We really felt like we were going to be a little bit special.”
A key factor to Hanna’s turnaround has been senior Diego Escovar transitioning seamlessly back into the quarterback position. Escovar earned first team all-district and second team All-Metro honors as a defensive back last season, and is now back in his natural position running the offense.
Escovar has thrown for 447 yards and six passing touchdowns, adding 231 yards and one score on the ground. Guess called Escovar “a very smart guy and a very, very tough competitor” and said he knew the senior would be a good leader for the young Golden Eagles offense.
Senior receiver Ryan Trinidad has been Escovar’s top target this season, hauling in 12 receptions for 175 yards and four touchdowns. Juniors Ethan Pena and Manny Gonzalez and sophomore Josh Vela are other receivers who have stepped up and made plays. Sophomore Kriz Pena headlines Hanna’s run game with 353 yards and five rushing touchdowns on 69 carries.
“It’s been great (moving back to quarterback),” Escovar said. I’ve had that connection with Ryan since, like, sixth grade. Continuing it on this year has been great. I have a great running back behind me, good receivers and a great offensive line. All credit to my offensive line. We can run and throw the ball, we’re a pretty balanced offense. We have all the weapons that we need in place, and we’re one of the really good offenses in the Valley.”
Guess said the offense got off to a slow start, but Hanna’s defense has been strong from Day 1. The Golden Eagles only allowed 24 points through three zone games, and opponents are averaging just nine points per game against them.
Junior defensive back Anthony Ambriz is a big part of Hanna’s defensive efficiency. He leads the team with 41 total tackles, followed closely by junior linebacker Ramon Reyes’ 40, and has notched an interception.
“Even though I’m not the senior, I like to use my past experience and just guide everybody with what they’re supposed to do and be a role model and a leader,” Ambriz said. “(Our defense) feels very good. We communicate and we work together, and we’re really connected out there on the field. We have a lot of hard workers and we try to one-up each other, and just get better and better. Now it’s win or go home, so we’re putting 100 percent into everything, every play. We’re really confident. (PSJA North is) an all-around team, but we have the defense and the coverage to just to do our job and shut down everything.”
Guess said Hanna’s physical defensive line — led by junior Humberto Garcia, senior Rolando Gonzalez, sophomore Manrique Cantu and senior Ernie Gomez — has been dominating the line of scrimmage this season. He believes if they continue to control the line, the Golden Eagles will stop PSJA North’s run game and come out with a win.
“We know that PSJA (North) is a formidable opponent,” Guess said. “They have a good freshman quarterback that’s pretty talented. He’s a good runner and a dangerous runner. Same thing with their running back. He runs hard and leads their district in rushing. We’re just going to do the same thing we’ve done every week and just make sure we’re doing our job, playing with relentless effort and taking care of business. If we do those things, I think we’re going to be OK this week.”
It has been two weeks since Hanna took the field because of Harlingen High canceling the 32-6A title game due to COVID-19 concerns, and Escovar said his team is fired up and ready to keep showing out for its city.
“It’s meant everything being able to prove everyone wrong,” Escovar said. “Now we’re looking to have that deep playoff run and keep proving everyone wrong. It was such a bummer (having that game canceled). I had huge confidence in my team that we were going to pull that championship off. Not getting that game in has just given us more fire for our next game. We’re going to come out firing on all cylinders, hoping to get that ‘W’ and move on to the next round.”