#RGVWeek6 high school football game capsules
DISTRICT 30-6A
McALLEN ROWE AT McALLEN MEMORIAL
WHERE: McAllen Memorial Stadium, McAllen
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: McAllen Rowe (2-3, 1-0); McAllen Memorial (4-1, 1-0)
GAME NOTES: A matchup of two teams that played surprisingly close games against opponents from La Joya last week. Memorial survived La Joya High 21-17, while Rowe outlasted La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 28-21. … Memorial has won the last three meetings and five of the past six against Rowe. … Memorial holds strong as the Valley’s top rushing attack. The Mustangs have picked up 2,059 yards, including 1,305 from Trevor Speights, who has a Valley-best 14 touchdowns this season. … Rowe’s defense has been solid against the run, ranking third in the district with 870 yards allowed. The Warriors are one of only five Valley 6A teams that has given up more yards passing than rushing. … McAllen Memorial’s defense gave up an average of 405.5 yards per game during the first two games, but has allowed just 248.7 yards per game over its last three.
PREDICTION: McAllen Memorial, 36-18
— Greg Luca
LA JOYA HIGH AT McALLEN HIGH
WHERE: McAllen Memorial Stadium, McAllen
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: La Joya (1-4, 0-1); McAllen High (3-2, 1-0)
GAME NOTES: La Joya High’s grueling schedule continues, as the Coyotes play their fourth opponent in the RGVSports.com top 10 poll in as many weeks. La Joya is coming off losses to Edinburg Vela, Weslaco East and McAllen Memorial. … The Coyotes have hung tough in the two most recent of those matchups, losing to East and Memorial by a combined 5 points. … McAllen High last played La Joya in 2010. The Bulldogs won 56-0. … McAllen High is still undefeated against the Valley this year, defeating Edinburg High, Harlingen High and Mission High. … McHi has outgained La Joya by more than 100 yards per game this season, but the Coyotes actually have the more prolific passing offense. Julio Garcia leads the district with 602 yards passing.
PREDICTION: McAllen High, 24-12
— Greg Luca
MISSION HIGH AT LA JOYA PALMVIEW
WHERE: La Joya ISD Stadium,
La Joya
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Mission High (1-4, 0-1); La Joya Palmview (2-1-1, 0-0)
NOTES: This matchup hinges on La Joya Palmview’s rush offense against Mission High’s rush defense. The Lobos have gained an average of 365 yards per game on the ground, while the Eagles allow just 101.3. … That being said, Mission is coming off by far its worst rush defense performance of the year, allowing 295 yards on the ground in a 48-7 loss to McAllen High. … The Eagles and Lobos have met each of the past four years. Mission won their non-district meetings in 2013 and 2012, while Palmview won their District-30 5A matchups in 2011 and 2010. … Palmview hasn’t had a result since Sept. 12.
PREDICTION: La Joya Palmview, 12-6
— Greg Luca
DISTRICT 31-6A
WESLACO HIGH AT EDINBURG HIGH
WHERE: Cats Memorial Stadium, Edinburg
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Weslaco High (1-4, 0-1); Edinburg High (1-3, 0-0)
GAME NOTES: Weslaco High’s 1-4 start is the worst the Panthers have started since 2009, when they finished 2-8. A big reason why is strength of schedule, as Weslaco has lost to Harlingen South, Corpus Christi King, Harlingen and PSJA North. The three Valley losses came by an average of just six points. … Edinburg High also has just one win, and all three of its losses are also against respectable competition. But the Bobcats lost those games by an average of 37.7 points. … Weslaco and Edinburg are the two lowest ranked offenses in District 31-6A. Edinburg has gained just 143.5 yards per game, while Weslaco has averaged 210.2. … Weslaco will win this game with defense, as the unit ranks best in district by a wide margin with only 223.8 yards per game allowed.
PREDICTION: Weslaco High, 22-0
— Greg Luca
PSJA MEMORIAL AT WESLACO EAST
WHERE: Bobby Lackey Stadium, Weslaco
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: PSJA Memorial (3-2, 1-0); Weslaco East
(4-1, 0-1)
GAME NOTES: These teams have met each of the past two seasons, with Weslaco East prevailing in both meetings. … This matchup pits the top two rushers in District 31-6A. Weslaco East’s Lupe Moron has run for 896 yards and 10 touchdowns on 95 carries, and PSJA Memorial’s Jonathan Treviño has rushed for 644 yards and eight touchdowns on 113 carries. … Weslaco East enters the game on what seems to be a downward trend, at least compared to its scorching start. The Wildcats snuck by La Joya High in Week 4 and then fell to Edinburg North in Week 5. … The Wolverines have alternated wins and losses this season but are coming off an impressive 20-point win against Edinburg Economedes.
PREDICTION: Weslaco East, 20-18
— Greg Luca
EDINBURG NORTH AT PSJA NORTH
WHERE: PSJA Stadium, Pharr
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Edinburg North (3-2, 1-0); PSJA North (2-3, 1-0)
GAME NOTES: A matchup of two teams who have played brutal schedules to this point in the season. Edinburg North and PSJA North have played 10 games between them, and nine have been against teams that made the playoffs in 2013. … Partly as a result of that strong competition, Edinburg North has given up 380.6 yards per game this season, worst in District 31-6A. Compare to last season, when North’s dominant defense led District 30-5A by allowing 148.4 yards per game. … PSJA North, on the other hand, has gained 301.4 yards per game this year after picking up 215.8 yards per game last season. The swing has been just as dramatic on defense. The Raiders have held opponents to 294 yards per game after allowing 395.4 last year.
PREDICTION: PSJA North, 20-18
— Greg Luca
DISTRICT 31-5A
SHARYLAND PIONEER AT RIO GRANDE CITY
WHERE: Joe R. Sanchez Stadium, Rio Grande City
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Sharyland Pioneer (3-2, 1-0); Rio Grande City
(1-4, 0-1)
GAME NOTES: Sharyland Pioneer needed to rally after halftime to knock off a struggling team in Valley View. With that, the Diamondbacks earned their first-ever district victory. … Rio Grande City came up empty last week amid a season in which it has struggled to keep players healthy. The Rattlers have had as many as 12 players injured at one time. They’ve lost three for the year. Still, last week, they welcomed three starters back. It wasn’t enough to prevent a 7-6 loss to Roma, but Rio Grande City should be in better position to make games more competitive.
PREDICTION: Sharyland Pioneer, 28-14
— Mario Aguirre
ROMA AT EDINBURG VELA
WHERE: Bobcat Stadium, Edinburg
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Roma (3-1-1, 1-0); Edinburg Vela (4-1, 0-1)
GAME NOTES: This matchup pits two teams with aspirations of earning their first-ever playoff berth. … Roma, boasting one of the stronger defenses in the Valley, takes on a high-octane Edinburg Vela offense. … Roma has yet to score more than one touchdown the past three weeks, and that very well could wind up being the reason why the Gladiators could fall short against Edinburg Vela. … The SaberCats are coming off their first loss of the season, ending what had been their best start in program history. But if there’s anything to take away from the previous games, it’s that Edinburg Vela managed to keep the score from getting out of hand against a potent Sharyland High offense. … Edinburg Vela will need the same type of effort, and just enough offensive firepower, in what is sure to be their toughest defensive challenge. … By winning, Roma can gain significant traction in trying to carve out a playoff spot. Edinburg Vela can regain some of the momentum it had prior to losing in Week 5.
PREDICTION: Edinburg Vela, 14-10
— Mario Aguirre
SHARYLAND HIGH AT MISSION VETERANS
WHERE: Tom Landry Stadium, Mission
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Sharyland High (4-1, 1-0); Mission Veterans (3-1, 0-0)
GAME NOTES: One of the best matchups of the year is presented as The Monitor’s Game of the Week. Widely believed to be a battle between the No. 1 team (Sharyland High) against the No. 2 squad (Mission Veterans), the outcome of this collision will almost assuredly impact the top order of the district standings. … With Sharyland and Edinburg Vela colliding last week, Mission Vets fell off the radar a bit. But coming off their bye, the Patriots feel they could have an advantage with rest and time off to scout one of the Valley’s top team. … The Rattlers bounced back last week from a 36-35 loss to Laredo Alexander by topping then-unbeaten Edinburg Vela 27-24. By winning, Sharyland crossed off its list one of two teams with the highest chance of threatening its district-title aspirations. … The Rattlers can give themselves a huge boost by knocking off Mission Vets, because, after this week, their schedule essentially follows the order of the 31-5A standings.
PREDICTION: Sharyland High, 35-28
— Mario Aguirre
DISTRICT 32-5A
MERCEDES AT DONNA NORTH
WHERE: Bennie La Prade Stadium, Donna
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Mercedes (3-1, 1-0); Donna North (0-4, 0-1)
GAME NOTES: Mercedes will be looking to fine-tune its running game in the absence of lead RB Isaac Vela, who is out the next 2-3 weeks with a leg injury suffered early last week. The Tigers managed just 61 yards on 22 carries in last week’s win over Brownsville Pace. … But Mercedes still has enough in the tank to stay afloat. The passing game is lethal behind QB Rene Presas and WR Joshua Garza, and the defense is the second-best in the district. Mercedes threw for 264 yards last week, and Garza hauled in 134 yards and two TDs off eight catches… Presas and Garza are the top quarterback-receiver duo in the district, and one of the best in the Valley. … Dominique Ochoa paces Donna North’s offense. The running back has 314 yards and two TDs and averages seven yards per carry. … Sophomore QB Manny Ramirez is still learning the varsity ropes. The Chiefs average 74 passing yards.
PREDICTION: Mercedes, 35-7
— Dennis Silva II
PSJA HIGH AT PSJA SOUTHWEST
WHERE: PSJA Stadium, Pharr
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: PSJA High (2-2, 0-1); PSJA Southwest (3-1, 1-0)
GAME NOTES: PSJA Southwest opened a lot of eyes last week, winning the first district game in program history after going 0-14 to start. And the Javelinas did it at Bennie La Prade Stadium by beating Donna High 21-14. … Javs junior Jesus Acosta is the best running back in the district with 605 yards and 12 TDs. … Southwest forced three turnovers against the Redskins. DBs Oscar Garay and Jorge Cantu collected interceptions. … PSJA High can be dominant defensively. Statistically, it is the No. 1 defense in 32-5A. Where it struggles is offense. The Bears’ lone consistent source of production is from RB Andrew De La Cerda, but that’s not enough to offset the inconsistency at quarterback. PSJA High plays as many as four quarterbacks during games. … The Bears have just two passing touchdowns to 10 interceptions.
PREDICTION: PSJA Southwest, 21-7
— Dennis Silva II
DONNA HIGH AT BROWNSVILLE PACE
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville
WHEN: Thursday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Donna High (1-2, 0-1); Brownsville Pace (1-3, 0-1)
GAME NOTES: Donna High lost 21-14 to PSJA Southwest in its District 32-5A opener in Week 5 … The Redskins’ offense is led by QB Edward Dougherty, who has rushed for 323 yards and four TDs. Donna High averages 276 yards and scores 18 points per game on offense. … The Redskins’ defense allows 236 yards and nearly 20 points per game. … Brownsville Pace lost to Mercedes 27-21 last week. … The Vikings’ offense is led by QB Alex Cisneros, the second leading passer in the district. Cisneros has thrown for 653 yards and seven TDs. He’ll look to Luis Rodriguez and Arturo Vilano, who’ve combined for 23 catches for 295 yards and four scores. The offense averages nearly 26 points per game. … The Vikings’ defense has struggled at times, allowing 369 yards and 30 points per game.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Pace, 28-21
— Andrew Crum
BROWNSVILLE PORTER AT EDCOUCH-ELSA
WHERE: Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium, Elsa
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Brownsville Porter (2-2, 1-0); Edcouch-Elsa (2-2, 1-0)
GAME NOTES: Edcouch-Elsa has won two in a row and is coming off a demonstrative 21-7 win at PSJA High. … Since turning the ball over three times in a Week 2 loss versus Los Fresnos, the ’Jackets have only turned it over twice, total, in the last two games. … E-E has allowed a total of 21 points the last two games after surrendering 83 total in the first two. … E-E has two of the district’s top six rushers in QB Marco Aguinaga (474 yards, 6 TDs) and RB Lino Sanchez (261 yards, 3 TDs). … But this isn’t your typical Brownsville Porter team. Porter broke a two season-long losing streak with a win over Progreso in Week 1 and then beat Donna North last week. … Porter averages 191.5 rushing yards. The Cowboys are led by RB George Gutierrez (415 yards, 3 TDs). The Cowboys are also stout defensively, fourth in the district in yards-against average at 238.
PREDICTION: Edcouch-Elsa, 24-7
— Dennis Silva II
DISTRICT 32-6A
HARLINGEN SOUTH
AT BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Harlingen South (1-3, 0-1); Brownsville Lopez (0-4, 0-1)
GAME NOTES: Harlingen South lost to Brownsville Veterans Memorial 28-21 in Week 5. … The Hawks’ offense is led by quarterback Jimmy Morton, 516 yards and two touchdowns through the air, and Steven Rodriguez, 301 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. … The Hawks defense allows 273 yards and almost 30 points per game. … Lopez lost to Los Fresnos 62-0 last week. … The Lobos have struggled on both sides of the ball this season. … Ivan Olivo, fourth in the district in rushing, leads the Lopez offense.
PREDICTION: Harlingen South, 21-20
— Andrew Crum
BROWNSVILLE RIVERA AT BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL
WHERE: Sams Memorial Stadium, Brownsville
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
RECORDS: Brownsville Rivera (0-4, 0-1); Brownsville Veterans Memorial (3-1, 1-0)
GAME NOTES: Rivera lost to Harlingen High 17-10 in Week 5. … The Raiders have played well in each game, despite falling short to teams that all made the playoffs last season. … The Raiders’ defense has been consistent all season and has allowed just one offensive touchdown in the past two games. Rivera has the second-best defense in the district, allowing 261 yards per game. … Brownsville Veterans defeated Harlingen South 28-21 last week. … The Chargers’ offense has relied on their rushing attack for the most part. Brownsville Veterans has amassed 1,129 yards on the ground, an average of 282 yards per game. … Brownsville Veterans has the top defense in the district, allowing just 242 yards and 18 points per game.
PREDICTION: Brownsville Veterans Memorial, 21-17
— Andrew Crum
BROWNSVILLE HANNA AT HARLINGEN HIGH
WHERE: Boggus Stadium, Harlingen
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Brownsville Hanna (1-2, 0-1); Harlingen (2-2, 1-0)
GAME NOTES: A battle of two teams heading in different directions. … Harlingen High running backs Rene Medina and Michael Allen Gonzalez have taken the workload and have rushed for 245 yards in the last two games as injuries at quarterback plagued the Cardinals early this year . …The Harlingen run game will bring big problems for the Golden Eagles who are last in the district in total defense. … With the injuries woes for Harlingen on offense, the defense has come up big and is confident following a go-ahead pick-six by safety Felix Reyna to win the district opener over Brownsville Rivera.
PREDICTION: Harlingen High, 35-20
— Mark Molina
LOS FRESNOS AT SAN BENITO
WHERE: Bobby Morrow Stadium, San Benito
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: Los Fresnos (3-1, 1-0); San Benito (2-2, 1-0)
GAME NOTES: San Benito’s Gabriel Vasquez has scored seven touchdowns and leads the district in rushing so far with 493 yards in four games. He has paced the Greyhounds offense and has been their workhorse …On the other side, Los Fresnos’ running back Eli Cruz has seven touchdowns including four which came against Brownsville Lopez in their district opener last week. … Whichever defense can make plays on the other’s potent offense will have the upper hand.
PREDICTION: Los Fresnos, 42-28
— Mark Molina
NON-DISTRICT
LYFORD AT HIDALGO
WHERE: Pirate Stadium, Hidalgo
RECORDS: Lyford (0-4); Progreso (1-4)
GAME NOTES: Lyford is desperately searching for its first win. Even with new RB Jaedon Taylor, formerly of Harlingen South and 32-6A’s top rusher last season, Lyford is winless. … Taylor has yet to get comfortable with Lyford in two games since transferring from out of state. He’s amassed 78 yards and a TD off 29 carries, good for 2.7 yards per rush. … Lyford averages 23.8 points and allows 35.3. Hidalgo averages 22.6 and allows 29. … The Pirates are coming off a tough 25-19 loss to Santa Rosa in overtime last week. They’ve lost three in a row. … Lyford junior quarterback John Rivera has passed for 946 yards and eight touchdowns, but has 12 interceptions.
PREDICTION: Hidalgo, 28-21
— Dennis Silva II
MMA AT MONTE ALTO
WHERE: Blue Devil Stadium, Monte Alto
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
RECORDS: MMA (1-3); Monte Alto (1-3)
GAME NOTES: Monte Alto has been outscored 135-47 this season. The Blue Devils lost to Crystal City 41-7 last week. Their only win was a 27-15 Week 3 decision over Agua Dulce. … MMA’s only win came against Benavides, 51-14, in Week 2. MMA has also lost to Santa Maria, Corpus Christi London and Riviera-Kaufer. … MMA has scored as many points as it has allowed, 97. … MMA is 1-1 on the road. Monte Alto is 1-1 at home.
PREDICTION: Monte Alto, 28-27
— Dennis Silva II