By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Perhaps the least heralded city football rivalry in Brownsville is the one between the Rivera Raiders and Lopez Lobos.
Call it a “quiet rivalry.”
Through the years, the “Battle of Southmost” between Porter and Lopez, Hanna vs. Pace and maybe even some other rivalries within the city limits come to mind for their colorful histories and memorable matchups, but Rivera vs. Lopez? Not so much.
One of the reasons behind such a perception may be that although Rivera opened its doors in 1988 and Lopez was the next city high school to follow suit in 1993, according to records, the two schools didn’t start playing each other in football until 2006 when both were members of District 32-5A, even though they’re located just a few miles from each other.
Before 2006, the Lobos were in District 32-4A and the Raiders were in 32-5A, and the two did not met in non-district varsity action.
Since they first collided in 2006, Rivera holds a 6-3 edge in the relatively brief series. They both now play in District 32-6A.
The Lobos (0-4, 0-2 district) and Raiders (0-5. 0-2) renew acquaintances at 7 p.m. Thursday at Sams Memorial Stadium, and somebody’s going to break into the win column.
“We’re excited about this game,” Lopez coach Jason Starkey said. “We’re excited to take the field against Rivera. I want us to go out and get this monkey off our backs.”
Also at 7 p.m. Thursday in other action involving a Metro-area team, Porter (3-2, 1-1) is at PSJA Southwest (2-3, 1-1) for a 32-5A matchup.
On Friday at 7:30 p.m. for Metro-area teams, it’s Harlingen South (1-3, 1-1) at Los Fresnos (5-0, 2-0) in 32-6A and PSJA High (0-5, 0-2) vs. Pace (0-4, 0-2) at Sams in 32-5A. Also Friday in games involving local teams, it’s St. Joseph Academy (4-1) at San Antonio Christian (1-4) for a TAPPS district opener at 7 p.m. and Progreso (1-3) at Port Isabel (3-1) for a District 16-4A Division II opener at 7:30 p.m.
For Metro-area teams, the weekend’s action will be completed at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sams when the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers (5-0, 2-0) go against the Hanna Golden Eagles (2-3, 0-2) in a 32-6A matchup that is The Brownsville Herald’s Game of the Week.
Going back, Lopez won its first game against Rivera 38-28 in 2006, and it marked the season the Lobos reached the Class 5A playoffs for the first time. Valentin Montemayor was the Lopez coach that year when the Lobos went 5-6 (4-3 district) and captured the city championship with a 4-0 record.
Lopez won against Rivera in 2007 as well, 39-25, and after that, Rivera was victorious in 2008 (29-13), 2009 (20-16), 2010 (28-21) and 2011 (28-14) before Lopez stopped the Raiders’ streak by winning 28-21 in 2012. Rivera won 42-19 in 2013 and 24-9 last season.
The Raiders and Lobos have always met for a district game, and twice (2008 and 2009) it was a 32-5A opener. Six other times the two have played in the final game of the regular season. Their 2014 matchup came in the third game of district, and with a 24-9 triumph, the Raiders began a seven-game winning streak after an 0-5 start that saw them earn a share of the 32-6A title and advance to the third round of the playoffs.
Regarding Thursday’s matchup, Rivera coach Tom Chavez said, “Lopez is kind of like us. They’re getting better, and we feel we’re getting better. It’s two Brownsville teams playing each other, so anything can happen. They’re looking for their first win, and we’re looking for our first win. We’ll see who can get the ‘W.’”
Starkey said Thursday’s matchup is special to him because he’ll be coaching against Chavez, someone he considers one of the best coaches in the Valley out of a district that he believes has a high number of quality coaches.
“Coach Chavez was the athletic director in 2010 when I was hired into this district, and I’ve always appreciated what he’s done for me,” Starkey said. “I’ve sought his advice, and he’s been a mentor, a lifelong influence, so it’s a privilege to coach against him.
“You always know he’ll have his teams prepared to play at a high level,” Starkey added. “That’s what we’re expecting, a very physical game against a team that plays with a lot of heart.
“Yes, both teams are in a difficult (winless) situation, but anything can happen. Look at all those wins Rivera rolled off after our game last year after they started 0-5.”
Meanwhile, Porter will attempt to bounce back into the win column on the road Thursday at PSJA Southwest. The Cowboys are all even in district and coming off last Friday’s 49-21 loss at home to district tri-leader Edcouch-Elsa after prevailing over Donna North 52-44 in four overtimes the previous week.
The Cowboys will rely on an effective ground game featuring senior running back Jorge Gutierrez, who leads 32-5A in rushing and scoring with 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
PSJA Southwest lost its district opener at home against Donna High 56-9 on Sept. 24, but came back to upend city rival PSJA High 27-13 last week for its second win of the season. The Javelinas’ other victory was a season-opening 11-6 triumph against Valley View on Aug. 28.
The Cowboys will attempt to avenge their 21-14 loss to the Javelinas last year in Brownsville.
“Our eyes have been opened up as to the kind of team we can be,” Gutierrez said. “We have the potential to be that kind of (winning) team. I said it at the beginning of the season and I’ll say it again, ‘Watch out for the Cowboys.’”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.