Previewing this week’s Rio Grande Valley high school football non-district games.
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HARLINGEN SOUTH AT EDINBURG VELA
WHERE: Cats Stadium, Edinburg
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Harlingen South (0-1); Edinburg Vela (1-0)
GAME NOTES: Harlingen South nearly rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit last week before losing to Weslaco High 28-24. … So far, the Hawks have a middling offense and defense, both ranking fifth in district after Week 1. … By contrast, Edinburg Vela had the top offense after the opening week, beating Brownsville Pace 72-27 after putting up 539 yards (357 rushing). That mark tops the No. 2 offensive team, Mission Veterans, by 216 yards. … Even with a new starting QB and backup, the SaberCats’ passing game has been stout, scoring three times in the air through their first seven possessions against Pace. … Vela boasts plenty of offensive threats, including players who split time at running and wide receiver, like Michael Arguelles, who scored both ways last week. … The question for Vela is on defense. Last week, they were fifth in yards allowed (269) to a Pace team that faces an uphill battle to make the playoffs. But as long as Vela generates offense as it usually does, it shouldn’t hold it back.
PREDICTION: Edinburg Vela 42-14
— Mario Aguirre
LAREDO UNITED AT SHARYLAND HIGH
WHERE: Richard Thompson Stadium, Mission
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Laredo United (0-1); Sharyland High (0-1)
GAME NOTES: Both teams come into this matchup after Week 1 losses. Schertz Clemens topped United 55-43, and McAllen Memorial ran by Sharyland 42-18. … Sharyland won last year’s battle 28-23, but this matchup could go to United this time. The Longhorns put up 37 points in the second quarter of last week’s loss before scoring only once in the second half. … The Rattlers posted 308 yards, the third-most in 31-5A last week, but it still resulted in its first regular-season loss to Valley team since 2011, when Sharyland lost to Memorial. … The Rattlers graduated a bulk of players from the 2014 team that advanced to the third round of the playoffs, with 17 new starters in place. … Sharyland’s Seth Carter completed 9 of 17 passes for 115 yards in his first start at QB. United’s Ignazio Tellez completed 32 of 57 attempts for 358 yards and two TDs, including 15 receptions for 155 yards to Derek Luna, a 5-foot-5, 150-pound receiver. … Should Sharyland lose, it’ll mark its first two-game skid since 2007, when it lost four straight to close out the season.
PREDICTION: Laredo United 28-14
— Mario Aguirre
VALLEY VIEW AT ZAPATA
WHERE: Hawk Stadium, Zapata
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Valley View (0-1); Zapata (1-0)
GAME NOTES: An 11-6 loss to PSJA Southwest spoiled the coaching debut of Valley View’s Carlos Saenz in Week 1. … Switching from a ground-and-pound game to a spread offense, the Tigers went with seven running backs against Southwest. Livan Hernandez had the most looks 6 carries for 29 yards, but Jorge Aguilar (5 carries, 7 yards) was right behind in attempts, scoring in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run. … Saenz was encouraged by the slim margin against a playoff-caliber opponent, and that confidence should bode well going into Week 2. … Zapata beat Laredo Cigarroa 36-34, using a 22-point second quarter to go ahead 28-13 at halftime. … The Tigers’ best chance of winning should come with a balanced offense, something they lacked last year. They ran on 24 of their 44 plays, generating 72 rushing yards. Valley View QB Jorge Aguilar completed 5 of 16 passes for 82 yards and one interception. … The Tigers have to do a better job of protecting the ball, however, after committing four turnovers (three fumbles).
PREDICTION: Valley View 21-14
— Mario Aguirre
PORT ISABEL AT RIO GRANDE CITY
WHERE: Joe R. Sanchez Stadium, Rio Grande City
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Port Isabel (1-0); Rio Grande City (1-0)
GAME NOTES: The Tarpons pulled a 31-19 win over Grulla in Week 1 on the strength of their running game. Port Isabel generated 277 offensive yards, all on the ground. QB Michael Green came up empty on two passing attempts, but their stable of running backs made up the difference. … P.I. had nine players run the ball last week, with Anthony De La Garza coming up big. The sophomore back had 100 yards and one TD on 20 carries. Seniors Ivan Gonzalez (8 carries, 39 yards) and Alex De Los Santos (12 carries, 60 yards) also scored on the ground. … RGC beat Ingleside 13-0, avenging last year’s loss. Even though Ingleside posted more yards (248 to 159) and third- and fourth-down conversions (18 to 5), the Rattlers recovered four fumbles, shifting the momentum of the game. … Casimiro Olivarez (22 carries, 88 yards) came up big for RGC, scoring both its touchdowns. … Last year, P.I. beat RGC 36-27.
PREDICTION: RGC 14-13
— Mario Aguirre
LAREDO CIGARROA AT ROMA
WHERE: Gladiator Arena, Roma
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Laredo Cigarroa (1-0); Roma (1-0)
GAME NOTES: Cigarroa is coming off a 36-34 loss to Zapata. The Toros scored one touchdown per quarter until the fourth, when they had two TDs. But by then, Zapata had a 36-20 lead going into the final period. … Roma posted a 16-7 win over La Joya High in Week 1. The game was called at halftime due to a power outage. … In two quarters of play, Ramon Espinoza had 176 yards on 20 carries, scoring twice. The junior is the lead back now for Roma, replacing Peter Rodriguez, who led district last year in carries and rushing yards. … Espinoza, who was a backup last year, is expected to power the Gladiators’ ground-and-pound game. … Roma had spurts during their scrimmages when it passed the ball more frequently, but it came up with only 6 yards in the air in Week 1. … As it was last season, however, defense should ignite the Gladiators, who kept La Joya to 84 offensive yards (70 passing, 14 rushing).
PREDICTION: Roma 21-14
— Mario Aguirre
MISSION VETERANS AT ODESSA PERMIAN
WHERE: Ratliff Stadium, Odessa
WHEN: Saturday, 2 p.m.
RECORDS: Mission Veterans (1-0); Odessa Permian (1-0)
GAME NOTES: Mission Veterans topped Mission High 23-2 in Week 1, marking the first time the Patriots beat their rivals in consecutive seasons. … The game was marred by errors, but Mission Vets was nonetheless encouraged by its offense, which produced 323 yards. The Patriots’ defense also held Mission High to 92 yards. … Diego Hernandez completed 17 of 35 attempts for 245 yards, one TD and an interception in his debut as the Patriots’ full-time starter at QB. … Mission Vets’ receiving corps once again figures to be its strength, with four players getting looks in Week 1. Bobby Tovar (8 catches, 70 yards), Roman De Leon (5 catches, 56 yards) and Adam Solis (three catches, 113 yards, TD) led that group last week. … The Patriots, however, face an uphill battle against on the state’s storied programs. Permian beat McAllen High 70-14 in Week 1. And last year, the Panthers topped Mission Vets 44-8.
PREDICTION: Odessa Permian 42-21.
— Mario Aguirre
BRUNI AT MONTE ALTO
WHERE: Blue Devil Field, Monte Alto
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Bruni (1-0); Monte Alto (0-1)
GAME NOTES: Monte Alto has come up empty against Bruni the past three years. The Blue Devils opened their fourth season with a 54-0 loss to Corpus Christi London in Week 1. … The Blue Devils are seeking their first playoff appearance with their first graduating class. … Monte Alto faces challenges with its roster size, generally smaller than the programs it faces during non-district. Plenty of their players go both sides of the ball, and that should prove challenging, especially against a Bruni team that went 10-3 last season en route to the third round of the playoffs. … Bruni beat Pharr Oratory 70-0 in Week 1. The Badgers led 63-0 at halftime.
PREDICTION: Bruni 45-7.
— Mario Aguirre
PSJA HIGH AT PSJA MEMORIAL
WHERE: PSJA ISD Stadium
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: PSJA High (0-1, 0-0); PSJA Memorial (1-0, 0-0)
GAME NOTES: PSJA High and PSJA Memorial enter this week’s game with contrasting Week 1 experiences. The Bears were trounced 78-26 by PSJA North, and the Wolverines rallied from a 7-0 halftime deficit to beat La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 14-7. … Look for this game to center on each team’s passing attack. Last week, Wolverines quarterback Mike Gonzalez completed 20-of-28 passing attempts en route to throwing for 180 yards and a touchdown while PSJA High QB Andrew Castaneda collected 196 yards through the air on 18-of-26 attempts. … The Bears got the better of their cross-town rivals a season ago, winning 18-14. This year, PSJA High is in retooling mode and trying to find 10 new defensive starters before the beginning of district play. PSJA Memorial has postseason aspirations and a bevy of senior talent, including wide out Jerry Bocanegra, who caught the game-winning touchdown against Juarez-Liconln, and safety Vicente Rodriguez. Expect the Wolverines experience to pay off.
PREDICTION: PSJA Memorial, 35-20
— Jon R. LaFollette
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL AT PSJA NORTH
WHERE: PSJA ISD Stadium
WHEN: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Records: Brownsville Veterans Memorial (1-0, 0-0); PSJA North (1-0, 0-0)
GAME NOTES: PSJA North set a school record for most points scored in a game last week during a 78-26 rout of PSJA High. The Raiders never punted or committed a turnover, and gained more than 600 yards on offense. … The Chargers were involved in a high-scoring affair of their own during Week 1, holding off a second half rally from Donna High to win 49-42. … Up-tempo, high-scoring football will be the name of the game for each of these teams. PSJA North averaged 32 points per game last year, while Brownsville Vets averaged 34. …. With a quickened pace, ball control will be essential. Both offensive units pride themselves on protecting possessions, and their respective defenses can struggle to generate takeaways. … One defensive stand could make all the difference in a game that looks to come down to the wire.
PREDICTION: PSJA North, 38-35
— Jon R. LaFollette
McALLEN MEMORIAL AT EDINBURG ECONOMEDES
WHERE: Cats Stadium
WHEN: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Records: McAllen Memorial (1-0, 0-0); Edinburg Economedes (0-1, 0-0)
GAME NOTES: When these teams met a season ago, McAllen Memorial ran through Economedes, easily winning by a score of 69-38. Expect a similar result in 2015. … Mustangs running back Trevor Speights looked in mid-season form last week during a 42-18 win over Sharyland High, rushing for 248 yards and three touchdowns. For comparison, the Jaguars struggled to run the ball during a 21-14 loss at Brownsville Hanna, mustering just 101 yards on the ground as a team. Charlie Vela led Econ on the ground with 40 yards … Memorial receiver DJ Johnson looks to return from a concussion, Econ looks to find an answer on their offensive line. … Barring significant injury, the Mustangs will have every advantage and should have little trouble demonstrating their superiority.
PREDICTION: McAllen Memorial, 48-14
— Jon R. LaFollette
DONNA NORTH AT LA JOYA HIGH
WHERE: La Joya ISD Stadium, La Joya
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Donna North (0-1); La Joya High (0-1)
GAME NOTES: After losing its season opener 34-23 against La Feria, Donna North is still yet to pick up its first varsity win. But with 14 starters and 27 lettermen returning from last year, the Chiefs feel they are building forward. … La Joya High also sees itself as a program on the rise, as last year’s 4-7 season marked the Coyotes’ most wins since the ISD split in 2007. … Both teams boast relatively balanced offenses but lean on playmakers at running back. North’s Dominic Ochoa ran for 192 yards in Week 1. La Joya High’s Justin Leanos picked up only 38 in last week’s loss to Roma, a game that was shortened to a half due to a power outage. He’ll be looking to get back on track after picking up 987 yards and 9 touchdowns last season.
PREDICTION: La Joya High, 24-18
MERCEDES AT McALLEN ROWE
WHERE: McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, McAllen
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Mercedes (0-1); McAllen Rowe (0-1)
GAME NOTES: The score of last week’s 35-6 loss to Calallen doesn’t tell the full story for Mercedes. The Tigers struck first and trailed only 14-6 at halftime. … Rowe struggled to pick up big chunks of yardage on offense in Week 1 against Edcouch-Elsa but still had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, ultimately losing 21-14. … Where Rowe was exploited in Week 1 was through the air, as E-E racked up 315 passing yards. Mercedes was the top passing offense in District 32-5A last season but is yet to prove it can keep up that same level of success with a new quarterback under center. … When these teams met last year, Mercedes threw for 235 yards and ran for 234 in a 39-12 win.
PREDICTION: Mercedes, 24-21
EDINBURG HIGH AT McALLEN HIGH
WHERE: McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, McAllen
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Edinburg High (0-1); McAllen High (0-1)
GAME NOTES: Both teams were on the losing end of routs in Week 1. McAllen High was trounced 70-14 against Odessa Permian, while Edinburg High lost 45-0 to San Benito. … McAllen High never forced a punt against Permian, giving up 656 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs’ athletic defense should have a much easier time this week against a team that picked up 150 yards in Week 1 and averaged only 134.2 yards per game during a 2-8 year last season. … For all McHi’s Week 1 struggles defensively, the offense showed some bright spots. New running back Josh McGowen picked up 115 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown, and quarterback Caleb Youngblood completed 8 of 14 passes for 84 yards and a score. … McHi beat Edinburg 32-6 last season.
PREDICTION: McAllen High, 35-6
RIO HONDO AT LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN
WHERE: La Joya ISD Stadium, La Joya
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Rio Hondo (1-0); La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (0-1)
GAME NOTES: Even in defeat, Juarez-Lincoln was one of the Valley’s most pleasant surprises during Week 1, leading PSJA Memorial most of the night before losing 14-7. … The Huskies haven’t won a game since Nov. 1, 2013 — a stretch of 12 consecutive losses. … The streak includes last season’s 41-13 loss to Rio Hondo, which finished 8-3 in 2014. With many new players in the fold for the Bobcats, the Huskies may have a chance to turn the tide. … Juarez-Lincoln has a sophomore-heavy starting lineup, but coach Tommy Garcia is encouraged by what he’s seen so far. Sophomore running back Adonis Barillas carried 13 times for 38 yards during Week 1.
PREDICTION: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 18-14
LA JOYA PALMVIEW AT PSJA SOUTHWEST
WHERE: PSJA ISD Stadium, Pharr
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: La Joya Palmview (1-0); PSJA Southwest (1-0)
GAME NOTES: Both teams like to run it. The Lobos rushed for 371 yards in last week’s 53-7 win over Brownsville Hanna, and the Javelinas rushed for 289 yards in last week’s 11-6 win over Valley View. … Palmview RB Joel Pina rushed for 237 yards and four touchdowns. … Palmview did have trouble holding onto the ball, however. The Lobos fumbled three times and lost all three. … Southwest RB Jesus Acosta rushed for 116 yards on 23 carries, but it was senior Darren Estrada who found the end zone on a QB keeper. … Southwest surrendered just 154 total yards against Valley View. Palmview gave up 164. … Southwest lost last year’s meeting, 35-28.
PREDICTION: PSJA Southwest, 21-20
— Dennis Silva II
RAYMONDVILLE AT GRULLA
WHERE: Joe R. Sanchez Stadium, Rio Grande City
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Raymondville (1-0); Grulla (0-1)
GAME NOTES: Raymondville beat Brownsville St. Joseph 55-45 in Week 1. Grulla fell to Port Isabel, 31-19. … Raymondville had 364 rushing yards against St. Joseph, averaging 7.6 yards per carry. That doesn’t bode well for Grulla, which allowed 263 rushing yards against Port Isabel. … The Gators got a good passing game going behind QB Fabian Anzaldua, but the running game never got started. Grulla had 46 rushes on 20 carries. … Leo Martinez is healthy again and that’s a good sign for the Gators. The senior wideout scored two touchdowns and had 106 yards on four catches. … Grulla forced three turnovers and Port Isabel had 10 penalties for 80 yards, yet a win still escaped the Gators. … Raymondville won last year’s meeting, 33-7.
PREDICTION: Grulla, 28-21
— Dennis Silva II
WESLACO HIGH AT DONNA HIGH
WHERE: Bennie La Prade Stadium, Donna
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Weslaco High (1-0); Donna High (0-1)
GAME NOTES: This is the 82nd meeting in a rivalry that dates back to the 1920s. Donna has a 46-31-4 all-time record, but has lost the last two meetings. … Weslaco High is looking for just its second win in Donna since 1992. … The Panthers won last year’s meeting, 14-13. … Donna High is coming off a 49-42 loss at Brownsville Veterans Memorial, while Weslaco High is coming off a 28-24 win against Harlingen South. … The Redskins’ offense consists mostly of Edward Dougherty and Amonte Bowen. The duo combined for 435 rushing yards and six touchdowns against Brownsville Vets. … Weslaco High rushed for 317 yards, including 163 from Brian Guerra. … In other words, expect another ground-and-pound, physical defensive-minded affair between the two teams.
PREDICTION: Donna High, 14-10
— Dennis Silva II
PROGRESO AT HIDALGO
WHERE: Bill Pate Stadium, Hidalgo
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Progreso (0-1); Hidalgo (0-1)
GAME NOTES: Both teams lost one-sided affairs in Week 1. Progreso fell 35-9 to Brownsville Porter, and Hidalgo lost 24-6 to Sharyland Pioneer. … This is the home debut for first-year Pirates coach David Duty. … Hidalgo won last year’s meeting 47-13. It was the Pirates’ only win of 2014. … The Pirates gave up 269 total yards against Pioneer, including 151 passing. … Quarterback Pete Quiroz and receiver Eliud Castillo pace the Pirates’ offense.
PREDICTION: Hidalgo, 35-7
— Dennis Silva II
SAN ANTONIO REAGAN AT HARLINGEN
WHERE: Boggus Stadium, Harlingen
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Reagan (1-0); Harlingen (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Harlingen finally gets to start its season after a Week 1 bye, while San Antonio Reagan opened with a 42-19 thumping of San Antoino O’ Connor. … As usual, Manny Gomez’s Car-dinals will roll out a stingy defensive unit, which looked to be in game shape during their only scrimmage against Sharyland and are led by DE Edwin Gasca, DT Travis Barnes and LB Charlie Moreno. … Reagan’s offense will give the Cards’s defense arguably their toughest test all season long. They are led by running back Marquis Duncan (104 yards, 2TDs in Week 1) big-play receiver Tyreke Holloman (2 catches, 87 yards, 2TDs) . … Harlingen’s offense is a young group behind a talented offen-sive line, but this week is about experience for the Cards..
PREDICTION: Reagan, 42-14
WESLACO EAST AT SAN BENITO
WHERE: Bobby Morrow Stadium, San Benito
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Weslaco East (1-0); San Benito (1-0)
GAME NOTES: Both San Benito and Weslaco East were on cruise control during Week 1. San Benito took down Edinburg 45-0, while East beat Brownsville Rivera 53-21. … East sophomore line-backer Roy Pedraza grabbed two interceptions, turning the momentum in East’s favor last week. Look for him to play a big part on defense once again this week. … San Benito is back to their high-scoring ways and was led by running back Edward Alvarez’s three touchdowns. As an offense, they racked up 532 yards. … Weslaco East’s Emilio Tamez had three rushing scores of his own. Both teams boast strong offenses coming into Week 2.
PREDICTION: Weslaco East, 38-28
SANTA ROSA AT LA FERIA
WHERE: Lions Stadium, La Feria
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Santa Rosa (0-1); La Feria (1-0)
GAME NOTES: Battle of Hwy 506 is back and this time both teams bring two tremendous quarterbacks with very similar upsides. La Feria brings Isaac Galpin to the table. The mobile QB ran for 103 yards on just four carries averaging 25.8 yards per carry and also found the end zone twice. If the Lions need to pass Galpin can do that as well, last week Galpin passed for 179 yards on 13-21 passing attempts. … Santa Rosa has on the other hand has potential. With quarterback Leo Lara calling the shots the Warriors will always be in every game. Last week Lara passed for 171 yards on 7 of 20 attempts for a 35 percent completion rate, however do not let the low percentage trick you, there was also a litany of dropped balls in the game. … If both QB’s do what they can do it will defiantly be an entertaining game.
PREDICTION: La Feria, 28-21
—Freddy Gonzalez
TAFT AT LA VILLA
WHERE: Cardinal Stadium, La Villa
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: TAFT (1-0); La Villa (0-1)
GAME NOTES: The La Villa Cardinals are a team still trying to figure out where all the pieces fit. Last weeks 29-6 loss to Lyford exposed some of the team‘s weaknesses, like roster depth. Fortunately for the Cardinals there will be some level of parity in the district, unfortunately for La Villa, this week Taft is visiting. … Last season the Greyhounds went 9-3 including a 50-0 win over the Cardinals.
PREDICTION: Taft, 28-7
—Freddy Gonzalez