By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
By every quantifiable measure, Roma’s 49-10 loss to Edinburg Vela was the Gladiators’ worst defeat of 2014.
From points and yards allowed to the margin of defeat, Roma coach Max Habecker Jr. still recalled the general sloppiness of that game as something of an omen.
“Because we got to see (those mistakes) on film, we learned from different situations,” Habecker said. “That game made us a lot better.”
Even though they went on to lose to Mission Veterans Memorial and Sharyland High — RGVSports.com top 10 teams, in their own right — the Gladiators have since won eight of nine games. This year, they’re off to a 5-0 start, including 1-0 in district, as they enter The Monitor’s Game of the Week against Vela at 7:30 tonight at Gladiator Arena.
Boasting identical records, the second-ranked SaberCats possess a high-powered offense to challenge Roma’s stingy defense. Though that combination resulted in a blowout last year, the Gladiators appear better-equipped this time around.
When both teams met last year, Roma was 3-1-1, lacking the type of aerial game that would have balanced its offense. Later that year, the Gladiators developed their passing game when their all-district wide receiver returned from injury, propelling them to upset Mercedes in bi-district.
And this year, while it lacks that passing game once again, Roma has managed to outscore its opponents 143-64 through five games while holding teams to an average of 186.5 yards per contest. Vela figures to test that defense with 444.4 yards and 56.4 points per game.
“They don’t mess around,” Habecker said. “They come after everyone.”
While Roma cracked the 30-point mark only once last year through 12 games, it has done that three times in five games this season, including a 44-27 win over La Joya Palmview.
Habecker understands his team needs that type of showing, coupled with its usual defensive effort, to stay in line with Vela. Just last week, Habecker pointed to his team’s missed opportunities in the red zone, which would have given it a wider margin to a 19-14 victory over Rio Grande City. They had one field goal blocked, and then were pushed back from the 3-yard line to the 15 following a penalty.
“This week, we cannot squander any opportunities,” Habecker said.
While both teams appear to have opposing strengths, Habecker lauded Vela’s defense, saying “it doesn’t get enough credit.”
“They’re big up front, physical. And they run to the ball well,” he said. “I don’t know the stats deal (of where Vela ranks), but they do good stuff on defense.”
Going into Week 6, the SaberCats have allowed an average of 347.2 yards and 27 points per game, second-to-last in 31-5A in both categories.
Vela, for its part, has made strides from a year ago. Through four games, its defense was fourth in yards (out of seven district teams) and fourth in points surrendered. A 48-47 victory over Sharyland, which generated 675 yards of offense, set the SaberCats back in that regard.
Regardless, Vela has enjoyed plenty of firepower. Robert Guerra has rushed for 483 yards and nine touchdowns, while Fabian Pedraza has thrown for a 902 yards and 12 touchdowns (second in 31-5A) at a district-leading 71.6-percent clip.
They also boast three of the district’s leading receivers in Elijah Reyna (434 yards, 5 TDs), Eddie Luna (267 yards, 7 TDs) and Michael Arguelles (255 yards, 3 TDs).
“They definitely have a lot of playmakers,” Habecker said. “Any one of their skill players can break it wide open. Up to this point this season, I want to say yes, offensively this is our defense’s biggest challenge. We’ve played some other pretty good offensive teams, and we’ve handled them well and kept things under control and created turnovers. And this is another challenge for us.”
Vela coach Michael Salinas could not be reached for comment this week.