RGVSPORTS.COM
Edcouch-Elsa coach Bradly Chavez sought a challenge when he set up Corpus Christi Veterans as the opener of E-E’s four-game non-district schedule. The Eagles lived up to the billing, pummeling the Yellow Jackets 38-0 Thursday at the Cabaniss Athletic Complex in Corpus Christi.
E-E was down 35-0 at halftime.
“A lot of guys were shellshocked at the varsity night lights,” Chavez said. “Aside from maybe three guys on offense and four on defense, it was their first night underneath the lights. I don’t want to put too much judgment on the guys, because I want to see the film first, but it’s going to be a great learning moment for us. It’s better to get it all out now instead of when it counts in the playoffs.”
Corpus Christi Veterans went 11-2 and marched three rounds deep in the playoffs last season. The Eagles also entered the preseason ranked No. 1 by the Texas High School Coaches Association among Class 5A Division I teams in Region IV.
“(Corpus Christi Veterans) Coach (Cody) Simper has got a well-oiled machine,” Chavez said. “He’s been there a while now, and he’s established his offense and defense. We have to take a step back as coaches and know that they (E-E players) are still adjusting to us and our style of offense and defense.”
Chavez said he saw more positives from the team in the second half, when the Eagles and Yellow Jackets began sending in their backups.
After senior Albert Treviño started at quarterback, sophomore Raven Rojas saw action in the second half.
“The funny part was we did not start changing plays or changing scheme, because we finally got something working,” Chavez said. “I talked to our offense. We called the same play eight times in a row, and every time we completed the ball. We also blocked it just like we practiced. We just have to get our guys to continue to buy in, trust what we’re doing and do what they’re coached to do.”
Special teams improvement will be another point of emphasis for the Yellow Jackets.
“We’ve got to focus more on special teams. Not that we have a lack of it, but we had a lack of mental discipline when it came to special teams,” Chavez said. “We’ll need to do a better job of that, as well.”
EDINBURG ECONOMEDES 7, PSJA SOUTHWEST 0: At Pharr, senior quarterback Albert Guerra punched in a touchdown just before half to cap off a long drive by Economedes, and that was enough for the Jaguars to earn the win.
“It’s always a blessing to start it off on a good note,” Economedes coach Gabe Peña said. “Credit to Southwest. They are tough. I think Coach (Mike) Evans is doing a great job. There are not very many people who can appreciate the challenges his school and our school have. That team was ready to play, and it was a very good test for us.”
Peña said his defense gave him what he wanted all night long.
“I am very pleased with our defense right now,” Peña said. “We got some crucial stops when we needed them.”
Peña highlighted Rolando Alviso and Maro Plata as players who stood out on the defensive end.
One of those big plays was a stop on fourth down with less than three minutes remaining in the game.
“Offensively, we did what we set out to do,” Peña said. “I feel really good about our offense, because I know we are getting better. We missed out on some big plays, but I think we are very close.”
The drive that led to Guerra’s score took more than 10 minutes off the clock. Peña said the drive was the epitome of Econ’s slot-t offense.