Previewing games for #RGVWeek1 in high school football.
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NON-District
SHARYLAND HIGH at McALLEN MEMORIAL
WHERE: Veterans Memorial Stadium, McAllen
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Sharyland High (0-0); McAllen Memorial (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Sharyland High, the top-ranked team in the Valley for all but one week last season, faces off against the new preseason No. 1 in McAllen Memorial. … Sharyland High has been arguably the Valley’s best program in recent years, going 75-12 the past seven seasons. But the Rattlers are looking to keep that reputation intact with only half the ammo going forward, thanks to the split that formed Sharyland Pioneer. Sharyland High enters the second year of the new era with just two starters back on each side of the ball. … McAllen Memorial, on the other hand, appears to be on the rise. The Mustangs return six starters on defense and four on offense, including reigning All-Valley Player of the Year Trevor Speights. … Sharyland High hasn’t lost to a Valley opponent since 2011, when McAllen Memorial picked up a 28-14 win in Week 7.
PREDICTION: McAllen Memorial, 37-27
— Greg Luca
NON-DISTRICT
McALLEN ROWE AT EDCOUCH-ELSA
WHERE: Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium, Elsa
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: McAllen Rowe (0-0); Edcouch-Elsa (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Each team returns 13 starters from last season. The Warriors won last season’s meeting 48-28 at McAllen. … Rowe will score plenty of points behind QB John Perez, running back Jose Chavez and receivers Hector Bosquez and Joseph Moreno, but the question is if it can stop anybody. Rowe gave up 33.1 points per game last season. … The Yellowjackets will introduce a new open, passing offense under new coordinator Gene Garza, which should open up a whole new world for reigning All-Valley Newcomer of the Year QB Marco Aguinaga. … Figure this one to be a shootout, but count on the Yellowjackets to get a few more stops than the Warriors.
PREDICTION: Edcouch-Elsa, 35-14
— Dennis Silva II
NON-District
EDINBURG VELA AT BROWNSVILLE PACE
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.
RECORDS: Edinburg Vela (0-0); Brownsville Pace (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Edinburg Vela went 9-1 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs last year. … Vela lost 24 seniors to graduation, but have six starters on offense and five on defense returning. … Brownsville Pace went 3-7 last season and narrowly missed the playoffs in District 32-5A. … The Vikings return four offensive starters and six on the defensive side of the ball. … Pace lost many skill players to graduation, but QB Luis Rodriguez is expected to lead the way on offense. … The SaberCats should be in the running once again for a district title. With Sharyland High graduating a bulk of seniors, this could be the year Vela overtakes Sharyland for the district title. … Look for Vela to emerge successful in this matchup again, after winning last year’s battle.
PREDICTION: Edinburg Vela, 24-17
— Andrew Crum
NON-District
LOS FRESNOS AT EDINBURG NORTH
WHERE: Cats Stadium, Edinburg
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Los Fresnos (0-0), Edinburg North (0-0)
GAME NOTES: The Cougars experienced an up-and-down year under first-year coach Rene Saenz in 2014. With a year of re-tooling under their belts, Edinburg North has made known its aspirations of winning the District 31-6A title. … The Cougars already have question marks at running back after Omar Acevedo and Ethan Saenz suffered broken collarbones during a scrimmage against Mission High. … Jamie Guerra and Juan Flores will split time out of the backfield. … Junior QB Cristian Espinoza split time with senior Martin Rodriguez last season, but will be the lone man under center in 2015. To prepare for his added offensive load, Espinoza says he attended quarterback camps during the summer. There, he worked on his footwork and reading opposing defenses. … Edinburg North had one of the worst defenses in District 31-6A last season. But Saenz is high on his group this year, especially junior defensive tackle Sebastian Bulos.
PREDICTION: Los Fresnos, 35-17
— Jon R. LaFollette
NON-District
DONNA HIGH AT BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium
WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Donna High (0-0, 0-0); Brownsville Veterans Memorial (0-0, 0-0)
GAME NOTES: Donna High returns 13 starters from the team that finished second in District 32-5A. … On offense, the Redskins have quarterback Edward Dougherty and multi-purpose athlete Amonte Bowen. … The defense gave up just 15 points per game last season. … Brownsville Veterans returns a dozen starters to a team that finished just outside the playoff picture. … Quarterback Marcus Castillo will look for receiver Jeremiah Meyers often as the Chargers hope to become a more balanced offensive unit than in previous years. … The defense is a year older and healthy than they were last season.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Veterans, 28-20.
— Andrew Crum
NON-District
McALLEN HIGH at ODESSA PERMIAN
WHERE: D.W. Rutledge Stadium, Converse
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.
RECORDS: McAllen High (0-0); Odessa Permian (0-0)
GAME NOTES: When these two teams met to open last season, a young Permian squad dominated McAllen High, putting the game away before halftime in a 35-7 win. … Permian went on to finish 9-4, reaching the third round of the playoffs. … The Panthers bring back 18 starters from that imposing lineup — eight on offense and 10 on defense. … McAllen High, on the other hand, returns just seven starters — five on offense and two on defense. … Playing such a strong opponent early on will give McHi a barometer of what it can accomplish this season. On offense, new starting quarterback Caleb Youngblood and Overhills (Spring Lake, North Carolina) transfer running back Joshua McGowen will face likely their toughest test of the year. On defense, a McHi unit that prides itself on athleticism will go up against an opponent more athletic than any team in the Valley.
PREDICTION: Odessa Permian,
42-10
— Greg Luca
Non-District
WESLACO HIGH AT HARLINGEN SOUTH
WHERE: Boggus Stadium
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Weslaco (0-0),Harlingen South (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Last year, South opened eyes with a 28-18 win over Weslaco. The Hawks went on to a 3-7 season, while the Panthers made it to the area round of the playoffs. … Hawks quarterback Troy Jensan had a good scrimmage passing the ball, but will also have the luxury of being able to hand it off to returning running back Stephen Rodriguez. … Weslaco’s pass rush lost all but one starter, but linebacker Jordan Nichols and free safety Diego Rodriguez will pick up the slack on defense. … Harlingen South coach Lanny Wilson will roll out a solid defense this year, but it should have its hands full against Weslaco’s running game, which runs behind a line with three returning starters. The battle in the trenches will decide this one.
PREDICTION: Weslaco High, 28-21
— Mark Molina
NON-DISTRICT
LA JOYA PALMVIEW AT BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: La Joya Palmview (0-0); Brownsville Lopez (0-0)
GAME NOTES: La Joya Palmview finished a program best 7-4-1 last season. … Palmview lost two 1,000 yard rushers, but top receiver Damian Quintanilla returns. … The defense allowed just 232 yards per game last season, but returns only a few key pieces. … Brownsville Lopez went winless last season, but is optimistic after participating in spring ball and with a lot of experience returning on both sides of the ball. … The Lobos defense returns seven starters, including Joey Torres and Lorenzo Uresti up front, and most were sophomores last season. … The offense has six starters back from last season and hopes to improve upon a scoring average of less than 10 points per game.
PREDICTION: La Joya Palmview, 21-13
— Andrew Crum
NON-DISTRICT
BROWNSVILLE RIVERA AT WESLACO EAST
WHERE: Bobby Lackey Stadium, Weslaco
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Brownsville Rivera (0-0); Weslaco East (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Both of these teams advanced to the regional quarterfinals a season ago, Rivera lost to S.A. Brandeis 21-7 while Weslaco East succumbed to Cibolo Steele 48-17. … The Wildcats will get their first look at a revamped offense, which returns just one full-time starter in senior left guard Jonathan Banda. Banda suffered a right knee injury during a scrimmage against Edcouch-Elsa, his possible absence could affect the production of East’s rebuilt O-line. … Lupe Moron and Darren Rivas received the bulk of the carries for the Wildcats last year, and each ran for more than 1,000 yards. This season, seniors Emilio Tamez and Ciro Rojas will look to help fill the void. … East returns eight starters on defense. That unit played well during the controlled portion last week’s scrimmage against Edcouch-Elsa, collecting two interceptions and forcing several three-and-outs.
PREDICTION: Weslaco East, 27-17
— Jon R. LaFollette
NON-District
MERCEDES at CALALLEN
WHERE: Wildcat Stadium,
Corpus Christi
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Mercedes (0-0); Calallen (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Reloading Mercedes has a daunting task right out of the gate against the Wildcats, who return nine starters and 22 lettermen from last year’s 7-5 ballclub. … This season’s Calallen team lacks depth and experience and will be looking for answers to questions throughout the roster. … Defense will be Calallen’s strength early in the season behind linebacker Reece Barrett (110 tackles, 4 sacks) and Co. … Mercedes will be throwing out a sophomore at quarterback in Zach Gomez, who had an excellent preseason. Gomez will have plenty of targets in wideouts Brandon Gutierrez and Daniel Martinez and backs Isaac Vela and Fabian Ledesma. … Defensively, like Calallen, Mercedes is ahead of the offense behind veterans Fabricio Quintanilla, David Alvarado and Damien Ledesma.
PREDICTION: Calallen, 35-21
— Dennis Silva II
NON-District
PSJA NORTH AT PSJA HIGH
WHERE: PSJA ISD Stadium, Pharr
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: PSJA North (0-0); PSJA High (0-0)
GAME NOTES: PSJA North has district championship aspirations, returning 14 starters and 23 lettermen from last year’s 5-6 season. The Raiders will be led by standout quarterback George Olivarez, who rushed for 1,076 yards and threw for 908 more last season. … PSJA North is strong along the offensive line behind guard Fabian Ramirez, center Vicente Palacios and guard Chris Rojas. … A young up-and-comer for the Raiders is sophomore RB/LB Daniel Carrillo. … PSJA High, meanwhile, returns just four starters and is building from the ground up. … The Bears will be athletic and strong defensively, but offensively they are very much a work in progress. Their success will hinge a lot on quarterback Andrew Castaneda and being able to move the chains and take care of the ball as part of the Bears’ ball-control system.
PREDICTION: PSJA North, 24-20
— Dennis Silva II
NON-DISTRICT
LA JOYA HIGH AT ROMA
WHERE: Gladiator Arena, Roma
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: La Joya High (0-0), Roma (0-0)
GAME NOTES: A run-heavy team last year, Roma has an opportunity now to showcase its passing game in a matchup that counts, for a change. During a scrimmage last week, the Gladiators tallied more than 100 passing yards, a feat it accomplished only once in 2014. That should bode well for a Roma offense that was largely one-dimensional last season. … With eight starters back on offense, La Joya will try to build on a season in which it posted the most wins and first playoff appearance since the ISD split in 2007. … Unlike Roma, the Coyotes were balanced last year with their offense. But with new offensive coordinator Walter Patterson, the Coyotes’ offense may focus more on the run game.
PREDICTION: Roma, 21-10
— Mario Aguirre
NON-DISTRICT
MISSION HIGH AT MISSION VETERANS MEMORIAL
WHERE: Tom Landry Stadium, Mission
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Mission High (0-0); Mission Veterans Memorial (0-0)
GAME NOTES: The Mission ISD rivalry carries on, even after breaking apart in districts. … Last year, Mission Veterans won 14-7, a slim margin for a team with district-title aspirations, going up against a struggling Mission High team. … The Patriots should once again be in the running for the 31-5A title, even with the graduation of a couple key players on offense, including starting QB Santos Villarreal. A backup last year, Diego Hernandez has transitioned nicely into the role, and he’s expected to lead the most productive receiving corps in district from a season ago.
PREDICTION: Mission Veterans, 28-7
— Mario Aguirre
NON-DISTRICT
PSJA MEMORIAL at LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN
WHERE: La Joya ISD Stadium, La Joya
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: PSJA Memorial (0-0); La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (0-0)
GAME NOTES: A matchup of two teams looking for a fresh start in 2015. PSJA Memorial because of a new coach in Michael Uribe, and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln because of the need to wash away last year’s 0-10 season. … The Huskies struggled mightily on both sides of the ball in 2014, being outgained by an average of 270.3 yards per game. With limited numbers coming back, 2015 could be another tough year for Juarez-Lincoln. … PSJA Memorial looked strong at times in 2014 but also struggled with injuries, finishing the year 4-6. … The Wolverines return quarterback Michael Gonzalez.PREDICTION: PSJA Memorial, 31-6
— Greg Luca
NON-District
Hidalgo AT Sharyland Pioneer
WHERE: RIchard Thompson Stadium, Mission
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Hidalgo (0-0); SHaryland Pioneer (0-0)
GAME NOTES: A year ago, this matchup resulted in Sharyland Pioneer’s first win in its inaugural season. With 50 returning lettermen, including 20 starters, the Diamondbacks should once again win its opener. … Roles are more defined now for Pioneer, which will go with all-around player Alec Garcia at wide receiver. QB Alejandro Ramirez is in better shape this season.
PREDICTION: Sharyland Pioneer, 21-7
— Mario Aguirre
NON-DISTRICT
LA FERIA AT DONNA NORTH
WHERE: Benny La Prade Stadium, Donna
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: La Feria (0-0); Donna North (0-0)
GAME NOTES: La Feria returns 13 starters and 30 lettermen from last year’s 6-4 season. Donna North returns 14 and 27, respectively. … QB Isaac Galpin is the Lions’ horse, amassing 1,100 passing yards, 500 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns last season. … Linebacker Randy Cantu (100 solo tackles, 3 interceptions) paces the Lions’ defense. … Donna North has a new quarterback in Alex Saenz, but RB Dominic Ochoa returns in the backfield.
PREDICTION: La Feria, 35-20
— Dennia Silva II
NON-DISTRICT
LA VILLA AT LYFORD
WHERE: Bulldog Stadium, Lyford
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: La Villa (0-0); Lyford (0-0)
GAME NOTES: For the Lyford Bulldogs, senior quarterback John Rivera dictates how the season goes. Last year, Rivera passed for nearly 2000 yards, however, a host of injuries kept the team from having a full team on the field. … For La Villa, the question is not if the team has passion, but rather the number of players they have.
PREDICTION: Lyford, 21-7
— Freddy Gonzalez
NON-DISTRICT
BROWNSVILLE PORTER AT PROGRESO
WHERE: Progreso High School
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Brownsville
Porter (0-0), Progreso (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Progreso went 1-9 a season ago, and were beaten by an average score of 40-7. Their lone win came against Porter by a score of 7-0. For a program that hasn’t made the playoffs since 1990, they will take the wins when they can.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Porter, 10-7
— Jon R. LaFollette
NON-District
INGLESIDE at RIO GRANDE CITY
WHERE: Joe R. Sanchez Stadium, Rio Grande City
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Ingleside (0-0); Rio Grande City (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Rio Grande City is looking to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2014 campaign. … The Rattlers were decimated across the boards. But coach Carlos Longoria believes that experience opened up opportunities from some of the younger players, who now assume bigger roles in 2015. … RGC has 35 seniors and 26 returning lettermen to stay competitive.
PREDICTION: Ingleside, 35-7
— Mario Aguirre
NON-DISTRICT
SAN BENITO AT EDINBURG HIGH
WHERE: Cats Stadium, Edinburg
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: San Benito (0-0), Edinburg High (0-0)
GAME NOTES: When these teams met a season ago, San Benito routed Edinburg High, 53-7. The Greyhounds would go on to a bi-district appearance, losing to Weslaco East, 42-14. The Bobcats would struggle to a 2-8 finish. … Edinburg High coach Joaquin Escobar prides himself as an offensive coach, and is trying to jump-start a unit which averaged less than six points per game in 2014.
PREDICTION: San Benito 42-13.
— Jon R. LaFollette
NON-DISTRICT
Edinburg Economedes AT BROWNSVILLE HANNA
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Edinburg GAME NOTES: Edinburg Economedes finished the season 2-4 and missed the playoffs after back-to-back appearances. … Economedes used its rushing attack to gain over 2,000 yards last season and backs Charlie Vela, Cris Izaguirre and Allen Arredondo return.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Hanna 23-20.
— Andrew Crum
NON-DISTRICT
GRULLA AT PORT ISABEL
WHERE: Tarpon Stadium, Port Isabel
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Grulla (0-0), Port Isabel (0-0)
Grulla struggled through a 1-8 season last year. … The Gators made the playoffs with their win over Hidalgo. … Grulla is optimistic after injuries plagued the team last year. … Port Isabel returns four starters on offense and five on defense.
PREDICTION: Port Isabel, 28-10.
— Andrew Crum