ROMA — Roma junior running back Isaac Lozano isn’t a man of many words. Rushing yards and touchdown runs, however? He’s got plenty of those.
“He’s very quiet. He doesn’t talk much, but he does his talking on the field,” Roma head coach Frank Villanueva said.
Lozano and the Gladiators’ rushing attack has helped lead Roma (5-5, 2-3) into the postseason for only the third time since it started competing in varsity football in 1992.
A speedy, strong back who participates in powerlifting during the winter and spring, Lozano ranks No. 4 in the Rio Grande Valley in rushing yards with 1,720 and No. 2 in rushing touchdowns with 25.
“It’s all thanks to my linemen. I’m grateful for them,” Lozano said.
| Roma’s Isaac Lozano (22) carries the ball against PSJA Southwest in a District 16-5A DII game at PSJA ISD Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | [email protected]) Joel Martinez |
His running mate in the backfield, Rey Gonzalez, has a more bruising style that’s amassed 960 ground yards and 14 touchdowns. The duo, along with a dominant offensive line, is ready to lead the fourth-seeded Gladiators from District 16-5A DII into battle against top-seeded Flour Bluff (7-3, 5-0) from 15-5A DII at 7 p.m. Friday at Flour Bluff.
“To say we were seniors and we made it to the playoffs, it’s crazy,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a big deal, especially for all the seniors because it’s our last year.”
DISTRICT 16-5A DII
SHARYLAND HIGH
Sharyland High rattled off a second straight District 16-5A DII championship and will welcome old district foe Edcouch-Elsa to Richard Thompson Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday for their bi-district playoff contest.
The Rattlers (6-4, 5-0) enter the postseason playing their best ball and hope to have all of their offensive weapons available against the Yellow Jackets (4-6, 2-3).
SHARYLAND PIONEER
Two of the top playmakers across the RGV are set to share the field as Sharyland Pioneer receiver Joseph Graham Jr. leads the second-seeded Diamondbacks (7-3, 4-1) against Mercedes running back Tyrell Treviño and the third-seeded Tigers (5-5, 3-2) from 15-5A DII.
Graham’s 906 receiving yards rank No. 2 in the RGV, 3 yards shy from the top mark. He’s caught 44 passes with 10 touchdowns and also run for five touchdowns.
Trevino is the fifth-leading rusher in the Valley with 1,323 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.
MISSION VETERANS
The Patriots put together their best performance of district play in their season finale, a 49-35 win over Roma. Now, Mission Veterans (5-5, 2-3) moves on to face Gregory-Portland (7-3, 4-1) at 7 tonight at Gregory-Portland.
Looking to carry over the momentum are quarterbacks Vince Abrego and Braden Luedeker. The two have split time behind center during the second half of the regular season and will take turns against the Wildcats as the Patriots hope to pull off an upset against a strong Gregory-Portland team.
DISTRICT 15-5A DI
PSJA NORTH
The PSJA North Raiders completed a perfect run through the regular season with a 10-0 record. Now, the No. 1 seed Raiders are determined to avoid suffering the same fate they ultimately dished out to Harlingen South a season ago.
The Hawks finished the 2021 season 10-0, then ran into a brick wall in the bi-district round of the playoffs against the Raiders as North posted nearly 700 yards of total offense in a 52-26 win, ending South’s season.
| PSJA North’s Julius Arredondo (10), right, celebrates his touchdown with a custom hand shake with teammate quarterback Alejandro Aparicio (3) in a District 15-5A DI against Rio Grande City at PSJA Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Pharr. (Joel Martinez | [email protected]) Joel Martinez |
“We can’t be complacent. We’re not done here,” junior tight end Julius Arredondo said. “Honestly, it goes back to our first playoff game last year. We’re going to be hungry and keep going through the playoff season.”
The Raiders are set to host Donna High at 7:30 p.m. Friday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
EDINBURG VELA
Edinburg Vela senior kicker Eduardo Valdez has been Mr. Reliable for the SaberCats all season.
He currently leads the nation with 101 kicking points in 10 games, according to Max Preps. He’s a perfect 68-for-68 on extra point attempts and has drilled 11-of-12 field goal attempts with a season-long of 46 yards.
Valdez and the SaberCats (9-1, 6-1) are slated to face Weslaco East (6-4, 5-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen.
Edinburg Vela and Weslaco East met in Week 3 of the regular season as the SaberCats cruised to a 54-7 win.
McALLEN HIGH
The Bulldogs (5-5, 4-3) are in the playoffs for consecutive seasons for the first time since 2014-2015 and are riding high after securing back-to-back rivalry wins over McAllen Rowe and McAllen Memorial to get there.
McHi will hit the road to face Harlingen South (7-3, 5-1) at 7 tonight at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen, pitting the Bulldogs’ big-play offense against the Hawks’ stingy defense.
McALLEN ROWE
The Warriors (6-4, 4-3) finished as the No. 4 seed in 15-5A DI and were rewarded with a first-round playoff matchup against Brownsville Veterans (8-2, 5-1).
The Chargers bring a daunting rushing attack to the table, but the Warriors have displayed an ability to stop the run through the regular season.
Rowe receiver Nelson Ramirez has been on a tear lately with a combined 12 catches for 306 yards and six touchdowns during the past three weeks.
Kickoff between the Warriors and Chargers is set for 7 tonight at Brownsville Veterans High School.