By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Sharyland High has seen bits and pieces of what Calallen has to offer.
Physically, they remind the Rattlers of Edcouch-Elsa, with plenty of thick, heavy bodies on the defensive line.
They’ve shown speed comparable to Brownsville Rivera, which kept Sharyland from scoring an offensive touchdown earlier this year.
And on offense, they’re a ground-and-pound squad, much like McAllen Memorial — a variety of formations setting up similar plays. Except, in this case, the Warriors have a multitude of ground threats to account for.
The sum of those parts forms arguably the toughest test Sharyland has had to face in the second round, at least since coach Ron Adame took over 2012. It’s a stretch that has seen the Rattlers rip off two 10-0 regular seasons, a pair of district titles and successive trips to the third round going into this year.
That’s the bar now at Sharyland.
In past years, the Rattlers had to advance past the area round before facing teams outside the Valley, although Adame called last year’s second-round tilt against Harlingen High “the closest look we were going to get to a San Antonio team.”
Now, that type of challenge comes much sooner.
“It’s a different route that we’re going to have to take to get to the same destination,” Adame said, referring to the state tournament, as his Rattlers prepared for their second-round battle at 7:30 tonight at Javelina Stadium.
“To us, it’s a big game,” center Keith Mora added, “and we know we have to keep our heads straight and stay focused.”
Not since 1997 have the Rattlers faced Calallen. It was a bi-district contest that resulted in a 35-13 Sharyland loss.
Valley teams, in general, have more or less struggled against Calallen.
“That’s what makes it special,” inside linebacker Rudy Tornero said, “the fact that we could play a good team and show the Valley what we’re made of.”
It’ll be an uphill battle, no doubt.
Calallen (7-4) finished in fourth place in one of the more competitive districts around, with state power Flour Bluff as the 30-5A champions. Even Alice, a traditionally strong program, was left out of the postseason mix after finishing fifth.
“We’re certainly not fooled by their record. That’s a reflection of how tough that district is,” said Adame, whose 10-1 team has won 29 of 30 regular-season games under him. “Some people are calling it a down year for them, but these guys know what it’s like to play football in late November and all the way into December.”
Sharyland’s best shot of advancing to third round could come by making Calallen pass more. About 40 percent of their offense has come that way, producing 23 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards, but their interception totals (11) could entice Sharyland to force the Wildcats to go through the air.
On the ground, they’ve put up nearly 3,000 yards and 51 scores with a bevy of ball carriers. Derek Scheible, their signal caller, leads their rushing attack with 959 yards and 16 TDs.
They’re protected, too, by one of the bigger offensive fronts Sharyland will face this season.
“We’re just mainly focused on the trenches, up front,” Tornero said. “Stopping the run so they could start throwing it. Maybe get the DBs to get some picks and get the ball back to the offense.”
It could help Sharyland live to see another week.