MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
Only one team remains undefeated in District 31-5A, and it isn’t either one of the two teams predicted to finish first (Sharyland High) or second (Mission Veterans) in the RGVSports.com preseason poll.
At 4-0, Edinburg Vela is off to its best start in program history — even if that only dates back three years. The SaberCats will take it, having shown significant improvement from their 0-10 season in 2012 to their 5-5 finish one year ago.
“This is our third year now and we’ve got more experience,” Edinburg Vela coach Michael Salinas said. “Any time you could go on a positive note and get some big wins — obviously every win is a big win — it’s a good thing. We’re just excited with (the start of) district play and the opportunity to play a great ballclub.”
Their matchup at 7:30 tonight against Sharyland High in The Monitor’s Game of the Week is arguably their biggest test to date. And it could have an affect on how the top-half of district sorts out.
“It’s important to gain an advantage, to try to eliminate one of the possible contenders in your district,” Sharyland High coach Ron Adame said. “Every game in this district is important. It’s not a make-or-break game, but a win would set the tone early.”
The Rattlers (3-1) are coming off a 36-35 loss last week to Laredo Alexander. It snapped their 26-game regular season winning streak, dating back to 2011, including 23 straight under Adame.
The Sharyland High coach has long maintained that the non-district schedule was designed to prepare the Rattlers for the rigors of district, rather than keep any streak intact. In facing playoff-caliber teams for each of the past four weeks, all providing different threats, Sharyland High is more or less in position to handle the challenges ahead.
“This district is tough,” Adame said. “District 31-5A is as tough as the old 30-5A. There’s good competition, good coaches, and it’s a challenge week in and week out. … We’ve put our last game behind us. Our guys are focused on the task ahead. We’ve had a good week of practice. We’re playing at home. And it’ll be a big night for the boys.”
Like last week, the Rattlers will face another capable quarterback in Edinburg Vela’s Ebher Lopez. The dual threat signal-caller leads the district in passing touchdowns (15), almost doubling Mission Veterans’ Santos Villarreal, who is next in line with eight.
Twice this season, Lopez has thrown for five touchdowns. Last week, he connected on four scores, before limping off the field midway through the third quarter. He did not return after experiencing cramps.
Lopez will suit up tonight to lead the top offense in district. The SaberCats have totaled 696 yards passing and 1,020 on the ground. Lopez (220 yards, 32 carries, TD) comes in third on the team in rushing yards, behind Anthony Arredondo (368 yards, 49 carries, 5 TDs) and Robert Guerra (305, 33, 4 TDs), who rank third and fifth, respectively, in district in ground yards.
“If you establish your run game, it certainly makes your play-action passing game more effective,” Adame said. “We just have to be disciplined reading our keys, flying to the football, not letting the quarterback out of the pocket, because he brings a different type of challenge.”
As a team, Adame said, “They’ve been playing some good football. We see a much-improved team. It seems from the first year, they’ve gotten progressively better, and they’re just shooting out of the gates this season.”
The SaberCats have won each of their first four games handily, outscoring their opponents by a combined 199-65. Until this year, Vela had never won three consecutive games to start the season. Having won four straight now, the SaberCats appear primed for their first-ever playoff appearance.
“We’ve got a good group of hard-working kids,” Salinas said. “We’ve talked to these kids about attributing the success to preparation and hard work. If we can continue doing that, we’re going to be OK.”
He added: “We understand the success that Sharyland High has had, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to go out there (tonight) and play in a big ball game.”