The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks entered the 2021 campaign with question marks across the board, graduating 18 of 22 starters from last season’s fourth-round playoff team.
Following a bye week, the young Diamondbacks have begun to find their groove, reeling off three straight wins, while being one of three teams still undefeated in District 16-5A DII play.
Junior wideout Joseph Graham, one of the team’s returning starters, entered the season as the focal point offensively, coming off a 1,075-yard, 13-touchdown
season. Graham has delivered through his first four games, hauling in 17 catches for 297 yards and three touchdowns, adding 42 yards and one score on the ground.
Still, new faces have emerged as playmakers, including quarterbacks Angelo Bazan and Julian Valdez, who have combined for 803 passing yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 303 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Meanwhile, senior running back Jason Cavazos has paced the ground game, amassing 367 yards and three touchdowns on 66 carries.
“Obviously we have Joseph Graham,” first-year head coach Eddie Galindo said. “He’s explosive and everybody knows who he is. So, teams are trying to do things to take him away. So, we just told our other guys they had to step up, show up and make a name for themselves.”
Defensively, the return of senior linebacker Caleb Fuentes, after missing the team’s first two contests, has proven to be a difference-maker, with the team allowing 212 yards per contest since his return. Fuentes is averaging 12.3 tackles per game through three contests, including a 19-tackle performance against Roma during Week 6.
“He’s the catalyst on our team and our defense especially,” Galindo said. “He’s a special player. He’s a special individual. He’s a class act from top to bottom.
“He brings that grit. He brings that blue collar mentality and experience and his leadership.”
The Diamondbacks (4-1, 3-0) look to continue rolling in district play Friday, hosting the Edcouch-Elsa Yellow Jackets (1-5, 1-3) at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission.
PLAYMAKING TIGER
Mercedes all-purpose player Austin Davila has been electric for the Tigers during the 2021 campaign, scoring four touchdowns despite playing primarily defense and special teams.
The senior safety/ returner ranks fifth on the team in points scored, taking two punts and one kickoff to the house, while adding a 98-yard pick six.
Davila has also racked up 44 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble, proving himself as a force for the Tigers.
SUPER SOPHOMORES
A pair of unlikely heroes stepped up in big ways for their teams during Week 6, helping lead their respective teams to victory.
Mission Veterans sophomore wideout Obed Marin nabbed the first reception of his young career during the third quarter of the Patriots’ game against Sharyland High. Marin took the catch 32 yards to the house, cutting the Rattlers’ lead to one and sparking the Patriots’ 27-16 comeback victory.
Meanwhile, PSJA Memorial sophomore quarterback Logan Contreras stepped into the spotlight following an injury to senior Jaden Cruz, throwing for two touchdowns to help the Wolverines pick up their first win since 2018.