By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
For a second week in a row, Edinburg Vela is set to battle another undefeated team. And once again, the SaberCats are doing so without fully knowing what to expect.
At 7:30 tonight, the SaberCats host Sharyland Pioneer — both boasting 6-0 overall marks, including 2-0 in District 31-5A — on the heels of a 28-7 win over Roma. Ramon Espinoza, the district’s leading back, sat out for most of the game for Roma with a bruised right forearm. Now, Vela is uncertain whether Pioneer itself will be at full strength when the two meet at Cats Stadium in Edinburg.
Diamondbacks quarterback Alejandro Ramirez (hip contusion) is listed as a game-time decision, while his backup, Chris Melendez, has been cleared after undergoing concussion protocol. The injuries occurred during Pioneer’s 20-10 come-from-behind victory over Rio Grande City in Week 6. Pioneer coach Jason Wheeler said receiver Tyler Bulthuis, the third option under center last week, will be ready to go, along with Alec Garcia, who filled in at QB at times last year.
The uncertainty at quarterback “creates some unknowns,” Vela coach Michael Salinas said, though he maintained that he likely won’t make changes to his original game plan.
Though Wheeler feels comfortable with his team’s depth at the position, the Diamondbacks are sure to miss Ramirez, should he sit out. The senior is enjoying a breakout year in his second season starting. Last year, he threw a district-high 13 interceptions. This year, he has only one pick through the six games. In fact, Ramirez is in a three-way tie for the fewest number of interceptions thrown by a Valley QB who’s attempted at least 90 passes or has thrown for 600 yards.
Defense, however, is their strong suit. Just last week, it rallied to beat Rio Grande City when free safety Chris Villarreal blocked a field goal that was returned for a touchdown, while also returning an interception 70 yards, setting up a score. He finished with eight tackles.
By holding teams to a district-best 164.5 yards per game, the Diamondbacks stand as one of only five undefeated teams in the Valley heading into Week 7.
“They’ve won some tough ball games,” Salinas said. “They’re playing really good defense right now, and we’re going to have a challenge on both sides of the ball.”
Even with allowing the second-most yards in district (335.2 per game) to go with 23.7 points per contest, the SaberCats continue winning games by the widest margin in 31-5A for a second year in a row. Heading into Week 7, they’ve outscored opponents 310-142.
Fabian Pedraza, a transfer from McAllen Memorial, has thrown for 995 yards and 12 touchdowns for Vela. His 68.9 percent completion rate leads all 6A and 5A starting quarterbacks in the Valley.
Though it has generated most of its offense through the run (1,240 yards) vs. the air (1,218), the SaberCats have had four games this season in which their ground attack fueled the offense. Robert Guerra has carried the load there with 600 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Vela has beaten two of the Valley’s top 10 teams the past two weeks in Sharyland High and Roma, and now it has another test as it tries to claim its first district title.
“We’re in the mid-season stretch, so to speak, and this is where it gets tougher on folks, and our guys have done a good job staying focused,” Salinas said.