NON-DISTRICT
NO. 2 MCALLEN MEMORIAL
AT SAN BENITO
WHERE: Bobby Morrow Stadium, San Benito
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: McAllen Memorial (1-1); San Benito (1-1)
GAME NOTES: Both teams are looking to get their second win of the season. … San Benito’s Week 1 momentum was put out as it allowed 427 rushing yards and five touchdowns to Weslaco East last week. … Running back Gabriel Vasquez and quarterback Cristian Sierra are looking to have another good night on the ground after compiling 219 of their team’s 256 yards on the ground. … The Greyhound offense will work in taking better care of the football after turning it over three times last week. … The Mustangs posted 69 points and forced four turnovers in an all-around win over Edinburg Economedes. … McAllen Memorial’s Trevor Speights went off last week and scored four touchdowns and rushed for 285 yards.
PREDICTION: McAllen Memorial, 49-21
— Mark Molina
NON-DISTRICT
NO. 3 McALLEN HIGH
AT NO. 5 HARLINGEN HIGH
WHERE: Boggus Stadium, Harlingen
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: McAllen High (1-1); Harlingen High (0-1)
GAME NOTES: The Harlingen High Cardinals began their season getting shut out. Scoring will be tough with starting quarterback Bowie Davis sidelined 3-6 weeks because of an injury. Some of the luster might come off of the matchup because of it. … The Cardinals defense had their hands full with San Antonio Reagan quarterback Kellen Mond last week as broke off three rushing touchdowns. McHi QB Fred Hover, too, is as talented making plays on the ground as he is through the air. … The Bulldogs bounced back after a Week 1 loss to Odessa Permian by dismantling Edinburg High 32-6. … The Bulldogs run the ball well, but they want to see more passing out of Hover. That could prove difficult against Harlingen High’s secondary, but that could open opportunity for McHi RB Ricky Rodriguez.
PREDICTION: McAllen High, 28-21
— Mark Molina
NON-DISTRICT
NO. 1 SHARYLAND HIGH
AT BROWNSVILLE RIVERA
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Sharyland High (2-0); Brownsville Rivera (0-2)
GAME NOTES: Sharyland High defeated Laredo United 28-23 in Week 2. … The Rattlers have now won 25 straight regular season games, and it will test that streak with their second road in game in as many games. … The Sharyland High offense, which has used three quarterbacks in two games this season, averages 394 yards per game and the defense allows 405 yards. … Brownsville Rivera lost to Edinburg North 24-21 in OT last week. … The Raiders have been able to move the chains and put points on the board, but turnovers have caused problems in both losses. … Rivera will need to win the turnover battle against the Rattlers if they have a chance to pull the upset. … Sharyland is tough and it could come down to a big play or two or who makes the least mistakes in the game.
PREDICTION: Sharyland High, 28-24
— Andrew Crum
NON-DISTRICT
HIDALGO AT
NO. 4 PORT ISABEL
WHERE: Tarpons Stadium, Port Isabel
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Hidalgo (1-1); Port Isabel (2-0)
GAME NOTES: Hidalgo defeated Progreso 47-13 in Week 2. … The Pirates have shown they can put points on the board, they’ve scored nearly 42 points per game. They’ve been paced by RB Adrian Ruiz (29 carries, 132 yards, 2 TDs) and WR Eliud Castillo (9 catches, 232 yards, 2 TDs). … However, Hidalgo’s defense has allowed nearly 38 points per game. The Pirates defense now faces a Port Isabel team that runs early and often, and has averaged almost 330 yards on the ground. … Port Isabel defeated Rio Grande City 36-27 last week. … The Tarpons defense held the Rattlers to a mere 33 yards on the ground, but Rio Grande City moved the chains through the air as Jason Gorena threw for 258 yards. … The Tarpons rushing attack was balanced again as Alex De Los Santos ran for 110 yards and 2 TDs, Trey Mock for 96 yards and 2 TDs and J.J. Gonzalez added 87 yards for Port Isabel.
PREDICTION: Port Isabel, 35-21
— Andrew Crum
NON-DISTRICT
NO. 6 MISSION VETERANS AT
LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN
WHERE: La Joya Stadium, La Joya
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Mission Veterans (1-1); La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (0-2)
GAME NOTES: Mission Veterans has faced a La Joya school each of the past six years, going 4-2. … The Patriots split with La Joya Palmview in 2012-13 and took three out of four against Juarez-Lincoln from 2008-11, outscoring the Huskies 146-60. But, Juarez-Lincoln won the more recent of those meetings 31-21. … Juarez-Lincoln has struggled mightily behind a young offensive line, gaining just 164 yards per game. That figure is the lowest in district 30-6A. … Patriots quarterback Santos Villarreal has topped that figure by himself, averaging 242.5 yards passing and 56.5 yards rushing through two games. Villarreal is District 31-5A’s leading passer. … Mission Veterans is looking to bounce back from a 44-8 loss to Odessa Permian.
PREDICTION: Mission Veterans, 42-10
— Greg Luca
NON-DISTRICT
NO. 7 EDINBURG NORTH
AT EDCOUCH-ELSA
WHERE: Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium, Elsa
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Edinburg North (2-0); Edcouch-Elsa (0-2)
GAME NOTES: North has squeaked out two wins thanks to the leg of kicker Diego Sanchez, who nailed a game-winner in Week 1 against Los Fresnos and then drilled the dagger in overtime last week against Brownsville Rivera. … Sanchez is 4 for 7 on field goals, with a long of 44. … Offensively, the Cougars have RB Matt Whitesides (38 carries, 156 yards, TD) and blossoming QB Martin Rodriguez (19-38 passing, 347 yards, 3 TDs) starring. … North does a good job forcing turnovers, and that could be an issue against Edcouch-Elsa, an inexperienced bunch that already has five giveaways this season. … The Yellowjackets have shown to be a strong second half team, but start slow. Those poor starts have led to big deficits they have been unable to overcome. … Sophomore QB Marco Aguinaga is E-E’s dynamic playmaker. And he has weapons in RB Lino Sanchez and WR Chon Hernandez. … Both teams have strong defenses.
PREDICTION: Edcouch-Elsa, 21-17
— Dennis Silva II
NON-DISTRICT
LA JOYA HIGH
AT NO. 8 EDINBURG VELA
WHERE: Cats Stadium, Edinburg
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: La Joya High (1-1); Edinburg Vela (2-0)
GAME NOTES: Thursday games are the norm for these two teams. La Joya High has five scheduled this season. Edinburg Vela has four. Neither team has a leg up on the other in terms of preparation, with both having played last Friday. … The Coyotes are coming off a 33-16 victory over Donna North in Week 2, bouncing back from a 14-7 loss against Roma. … They’ve boasted an average offense, mostly running the ball. Among district teams, however, La Joya has the best defense, allowing an average of 215 per game. … Edinburg Vela has won two straight, in part because of its balanced offense, producing an average of 387.5 yards. Quarterback Ebher Lopez has thrown for six touchdowns while completing 58.3 percent of his passes. Anthony Arredondo leads the ground game, rushing for 162 yards through two games, scoring four times. … With a variety of weapons, including five capable receivers, Vela should find a way to counter La Joya’s defensive schemes.
PREDICTION: Edinburg Vela, 35-17
— Mario Aguirre
NON-DISTRICT
HARLINGEN SOUTH
AT NO. 8 WESLACO EAST
WHERE: Bobby Lackey Stadium, Weslaco
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Harlingen South (1-1); Weslaco East (2-0)
GAME NOTES: Harlingen South looks for the Weslaco sweep after beating Weslaco High 28-18 in Week 1. … Weslaco East’s offense has relied on a dominant rushing game. As a team, East has gained 832 yards rushing and 0 yards passing. … Lupe Moron leads District 31-6A in rushing with 418 yards and five touchdowns. … Harlingen South, meanwhile, has been District 32-6A’s best rush defense so far, allowing just 155 yards per game on the ground. … A young Hawks team has been one of the Valley’s most balanced offenses, rushing for 299 yards and passing for 285. … Although South’s 42-17 loss to Edinburg Vela in Week 2 looks lopsided, the game was close before Vela blew it open with three fourth-quarter touchdowns.
PREDICTION: Weslaco East, 26-12
— Greg Luca
NON-DISTRICT
NO. 10 MERCEDES AT LA FERIA
WHERE: Lion Stadium, La Feria
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: La Feria (2-0); Mercedes (1-1)
GAME NOTES: La Feria comes into the game undefeated, with wins over Donna North and Santa Rosa, while Mercedes’ only blemish comes at the hands of Calallen, a perennial regional power. … The Lions have put up big numbers behind a strong running game, but on the other side Mercedes crushed former top-10 ranked McAllen Rowe 39-12 last week. … The Tigers have a dynamic passing game thanks to QB Rene Presas and WRs Joshua Garza, Brandon Gutierrez and Daniel Martinez, but it’s the run game, led by Isaac Vela, that has thrived as well. … Mercedes is averaging 283.5 total yards and is giving up 267. … This game marks the Tigers’ first road contest of the season and also comes during the non-district finale for the Tigers, who have district championship hopes.
PREDICTION: Mercedes, 35-14
— Dennis Silva II
NON-DISTRICT
PSJA HIGH
AT EDINBURG ECONOMEDES
WHERE: Cats Memorial Stadium, Edinburg
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: PSJA High (1-1); Edinburg Economedes (1-1)
GAME NOTES: Both teams are off to middling starts but figure to be playoff contenders. … Economedes has relied on a strong option run game to set up big passing plays off play action. Quarterback David Garcia has averaged 28.3 yards per completion. … The Jaguars defense, however, has left something to be desired. The group gave up touchdowns on all six of McAllen Memorial’s first-half possessions last week. … PSJA, on the other hand, has been defense first. The Bears offense ranks last in District 32-5A with just 221.5 yards per game, but the defense ranks second by allowing just 209 yards per contest. … These teams last met in 2011, a 53-15 win at home for PSJA. The Bears have won seven straight against the Jags dating back to 2005.
PREDICTION: Edinburg EconomedeS, 22-18
— Greg Luca
NON-DISTRICT
LOS FRESNOS
AT PSJA NORTH
WHERE: PSJA Stadium, Pharr
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Los Fresnos (1-1); PSJA North (1-1)
GAME NOTES: Both teams enter with nearly even scoring margins. Los Fresnos has scored 54 and given up 53, while PSJA North has scored 37 and given up 37. … Los Fresnos has fared worse as games have gone on this season. In Week 1, the Falcons blew a 19-point lead and lost to Edinburg North on a last-second field goal. Last week, Los Fresnos jumped out to a 35-10 lead against Edcouch-Elsa before giving up 21 fourth-quarter points and hanging on to win 35-31. … PSJA North’s defense has given up 536 yards through two games, and 473 of them have been on the ground. Los Fresnos has been a run-first offense, gaining 308 of its 460 yards that way.
PREDICTION: Los Fresnos, 32-18
— Greg Luca
NON-DISTRICT
PSJA MEMORIAL
AT McALLEN ROWE
WHERE: McAllen Memorial Stadium, McAllen
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: PSJA Memorial (1-1); McAllen Rowe (1-1)
GAME NOTES: A matchup of two teams that looked dominant in Week 1 and beatable in Week 2. Rowe opened with a 48-28 win against Edcouch Elsa before falling 39-12 to Mercedes. PSJA Memorial opened with a 33-0 drubbing of La Joya Juarez-Lincoln and was then beaten 18-14 by PSJA High. … Memorial boasts the best defense in District 31-6A through two weeks, allowing only 200 yards per game. … Which version of Hector Bosquez will show up? Rowe’s quarterback threw for 226 yards with three scores and ran for 196 and two touchdowns in Week 1. In Week 2, he had just 3 yards rushing and 3 yards passing, plus an interception.
PREDICTION: McAllen Rowe, 26-15
— Greg Luca
NON-DISTRICT
DONNA NORTH
AT MISSION HIGH
WHERE: Tom Landry Stadium, Mission
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Donna North (0-2); Mission High (0-2)
GAME NOTES: Don’t expect a whole lot of scoring in this one. … Mission’s offense has been practically nonexistent since quarterback Jesus Cuellar went down to injury. The Eagles rank second from last in district 30-6A with only 212 yards per game. … Donna North also ranks second from last in total offense in its district (32-5A), gaining only 240 yards per game. … A first-year program, Donna North has made progress, showing growth in quarterback Manny Ramirez and on the offensive line over the first two weeks. … Mission’s defense will be the difference. The Eagles are allowing just 277.5 yards per game this season despite facing a potent Mission Veterans offense in Week 1.
PREDICTION: Mission High, 13-6
— Greg Luca
NON-DISTRICT
LA JOYA PALMVIEW
AT RIO GRANDE CITY
WHERE: Joe R. Sanchez Stadium, Rio Grande City
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: La Joya Palmview (2-0); Rio Grande City (0-2)
GAME NOTES: La Joya Palmview is stout on both sides of the ball, producing the top offense (552.5 yards) in its district along with the second-best defense (240 yards). … The Lobos have two of the top three leading scorers in district — outside of McAllen Memorial’s Trevor Speights — in Alfredo Villarreal and Jose Bernal, who have scored three touchdowns apiece. … RGC has had some injuries on the offensive side of the ball, and it’s shown with its running game, producing only 20 yards last week. … With its shuffling lineup, the Rattlers committed five turnovers in a 36-27 loss at Port Isabel. … Look for Palmview to be in control.
PREDICTION: La Joya Palmview, 38-21
— Mario Aguirre
NON-DISTRICT
CORPUS CHRISTI KING
AT WESLACO HIGH
WHERE: Bobby Lackey Stadium, Weslaco
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Corpus Christi King (1-1); Weslaco High (1-1)
GAME NOTES: Weslaco High looks to round into form against a Corpus Christi King team that went 2-7 last season. … Weslaco has not faced a Corpus Christi opponent in any of the past 10 seasons. … King has only played blowouts this year. The Mustangs lost 31-6 to a strong Flour Bluff team before taking a 66-6 win against a down Moody squad. … Weslaco squeaked out a 14-13 win against Donna last week despite not throwing for a single yard. … Paul Rodriguez was expected to be Weslaco’s starting quarterback, but he’s only attempted one pass this season. Desi Rodriguez, a more mobile playmaker, is 4-for-10 passing with 104 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
PREDICTION: Weslaco 30, Corpus Christi King 17
— Greg Luca
NON-DISTRICT
PSJA SOUTHWEST AT GRULLA
WHERE: Joe R. Sanchez Stadium, Rio Grande City
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: PSJA Southwest (1-1); Grulla (0-2)
GAME NOTES: Southwest can surpass last season’s win total with a victory. … Grulla has struggled this season. The Gators have been outscored 62-16 this season. … But Grulla hasn’t played lightweights. It’s fallen to Port Isabel and Raymondville, both of which figure to make noise in Class 4A this year. … This could be an offensive showcase. Neither team has a great defense so far, and both teams can run. Southwest has even shown improved promise in its passing game. … Southwest’s ace in the hole is RB Jesus Acosta, who has compiled 324 yards and five touchdowns off 39 carries. He’s averaging 8.3 yards per rush. … PSJA Southwest, a third-year program, has yet to beat Grulla each of the last two years.
PREDICTION: PSJA Southwest, 28-21
— Dennis Silva II
NON-DISTRICT
SANTA ROSA AT PROGRESO
WHERE: Red Ant Stadium, Progreso
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Santa Rosa (0-2); Progreso (1-1)
GAME NOTES: Santa Rosa has yet to score this season. The Cougars have been outscored 86-0. … It’s been an inauspicious debut for new coach Mark Aguero after the program made the playoffs the last two seasons and is coming off a 6-4 year. … The defense was supposed to be the catalyst for this year’s team, but that hasn’t been the case. Santa Rosa is allowing 43 points per game. … Progreso, meanwhile, has played well this season. It shutout Class 5A Brownsville Porter in Week 1 before falling to Class 4A Hidalgo last week. … QB Dagoberto Zamora paces the Red Ants’ offense. He’s as talented of a runner as he is a passer.
PREDICTION: Progreso, 21-0
— Dennis Silva II
NON-DISTRICT
BROWNSVILLE ST. JOSEPH
AT LA VILLA
WHERE: Cardinal Stadium, La Villa\
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Brownsville St. Joseph (2-0); La Villa (1-1)
GAME NOTES: Brownsville St. Joseph is averaging 38 points. The TAPPS program has beaten some quality competition in Class 4A’s Raymondville and Lyford. … St. Joseph has a strong QB in freshman Kai Money, who has thrown for 508 yards and six touchdowns to two interceptions. He’s also run for 250 yards and three more TDs. … Money and Bernardo De La Garza, a sophomore, will be a dynamic duo for the next few years. De La Garza has caught 15 balls for 114 yards and three TDs. … La Villa is coming off a 50-0 loss to Taft. The Cardinals beat Lyford in Week 1. … La Villa compiles 200 yards per game and allows 338. … The Cardinals are paced by RB Ramiro Cantu (32 carries, 153 yards).
PREDICTION: Brownsville St. Joseph, 28-14
— Andrew Crum
NON-DISTRICT
AGUA DULCE AT MONTE ALTO
WHERE: Blue Devil Field, Monte Alto
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Agua Dulce (1-1); Monte Alto (0-0)
GAME NOTES: Agua Dulce has beaten John Paul II and lost to Riviera-Kaufer. Monte Alto has played Corpus Christi London and Bruni and has not fared well in each, losing by a combined 79-13. … Monte Alto is making its home debut for 2014. The Blue Devils went 2-3 at home last season. … The Blue Devils have struggled defensively and been inconsistent offensively. But they have a nice talent in lefty junior quarterback Frank Rojas. … The Longhorns are averaging 25.5 points and giving up 10.
PREDICTION: Bruni, 28-7
— Andrew Crum
NON-DISTRICT
DONNA HIGH AT
BROWNSVILLE HANNA
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Donna High (1-1); Brownsville Hanna (1-1)
GAME NOTES: Donna High lost to Weslaco High 14-13 in Week 2. … The Redskins have already played in two tight games, the margin of victory only three points. … Donna High has a semi-balanced offense, slightly running more than passing, averaging 275 yards and 20 points per game. … The Redskins pass defense is second in District 32-4A, allowing just 43 yards per game through the air. … Brownsville Hanna defeated Mission High 23-14 last week. … The Eagles boast the top passer in District 32-6A, Andy Lopez. Lopez has already thrown for 383 yards and three touchdowns while completing 52 percent of his attempts. … The Eagles offense should be too much for Donna High.
PREDICTION: Hanna, 28-21
— Andrew Crum
NON-DISTRICT
EDINBURG HIGH AT
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS
WHERE: Brownsville Veterans High
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Edinburg High (0-2); Brownsville Veterans (1-1)
GAME NOTES: Edinburg High was defeated 32-6 by McAllen High last week. … The Bobcats have struggled offensively, scoring just 13 points thus far and averaging just 148 yards per game. The Edinburg High defense has also had its share of trouble, allowing nearly 500 yards to their opponents per game. … Brownsville Veterans held off PSJA North 30-23 in Week 2. … The Chargers’ defense has improved steadily over two games and has allowed just 286 yards per game.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Veterans, 28-10
— Andrew Crum
NON-DISTRICT
UVALDE AT ROMA
WHERE: Gladiator Arena, Roma
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Uvalde (2-0); Roma (2-0)
GAME NOTES: Roma’s defense is sure to be tested in Week 3 going up against a Uvalde team that has put up 69 points through two games. … The Gladiators have not allowed more than four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Uvalde has won topped two San Antonio schools — McCollum 27-8, Highlands 42-29 — to open the season. … Roma’s led on offense by Peter Rodriguez, who has scored five touchdowns while leading the district in rushing yards with 331 on 62 carries. … Considering Roma has had an ineffective passing game through the first two games, tallying 60 yards in the opener and none last week, Uvalde could very well hone in on trying to contain Rodriguez to neutralize offense. … Roma’s stingy defense should keep the game relatively competitive. The Gladiators have allowed a meager 122 yards per game to lead all district teams.
PREDICTION: Uvalde, 21-17
— Mario Aguirre
NON-DISTRICT
LAREDO CIGARROA AT VALLEY VIEW
WHERE: Tiger Stadium, Pharr
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Laredo Cigarroa (1-1); Valley View (0-2)
GAME NOTES: Though winless, Valley View has shown incremental improvement through two games on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers produced a meager 69 yards, most of it rushing, in Week 1. Last week, they totaled 261 (215 rushing). … Defensively, Valley View has given up most of its 568 yards on the ground (396). … Cigarroa is coming off a 24-6 loss against Roma in Week 2 in a game that was dictated by the Gladiators defense and their offense chewing up large chunks of the third-quarter clock. … Carlos Batiz has been a bright spot for Valley View, rushing for 81 yards on 14 carries, scoring once in Week 2. Joshua Solano also scored, tallying 54 yards on just two carries.
PREDICTION: Laredo Cigarroa, 42-7
— Mario Aguirre
NON-DISTRICT
BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ
AT BROWNSVILLE PACE
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville
RECORDS: Brownsville Lopez (0-2); Brownsville Pace (0-2)
GAME NOTES: Lopez was defeated by Porter 31-7 in the annual Battle of Southmost in Week 2. … The Lobos defense has struggled, they have allowed nearly 39 points per game and 395 yards of offense to their opponents. … Lopez has been balanced on offense, but hasn’t put enough scoring drives together. … Brownsville Pace lost to Sharyland Pioneer 14-8 last week. … The Vikings have also struggled on defense, they’ve allowed 438 yards and 35 points per game. … Quarterback Alex Cisneros leads the district in passing with 413 yards and four touchdowns while completing 50 percent of his pass attempts in two games. … Both teams look to get on track and gain some momentum before district games start in two weeks.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Lopez, 24-23
— Andrew Crum