By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Pace is coming off a big road win and hopes to end the season on a positive note against PSJA Southwest.
The Vikings face the Javelinas in their District 32-5A finale at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Each team is coming off games that produced very different emotions. Pace had to come back from 14 points down to beat Edcouch-Elsa on the road. PSJA Southwest was beaten handily by Mercedes and lost its shot at the postseason in the process, allowing Porter to clinch a playoff berth.
“The kids understand that every game is important no matter what the situation is, and we’re approaching it as the first game of the season,” Pace coach William Deen said. “We’re going to work just as hard to be successful and not back off.”
The Vikings may witness some déjà vu from a few weeks ago. PSJA Southwest is similar to Porter, a run-heavy team that likes to move the chains and wind down the clock. The Javelinas have the third-most rushing yards in the district.
“They have the ability to run the ball and control the clock, so we have to be careful with that,” Deen said. “We have to get some three-and-outs on defense, not let them get long drives.”
Deen sees the game as playing out very similar to the one against the Cowboys. Possessions will be limited, and the Vikings will have to take advantage of those drives.
“Offensively, we have to move the ball on the ground and control the game, and score when we have opportunities,” he said. “It helps our kids (to have played against Porter). There is a sense of urgency. You’re not going to get as many touches. When we do have opportunities we have to take advantage of immediately.”
Pace wants to keep the momentum going and start the offseason in a good way.
“Getting a win is important at the end of the year,” Deen said. “It would be helpful to end it on a positive note. The kids are excited and we want to finish strong.”
Despite a season full of injuries, Deen doesn’t wonder what could have been. He is looking to what lies ahead.
“There are only so many things in our control,” he said regarding injuries, the weather and other things that they were forced to play through. “I tell the kids, don’t look back, just keep looking forward.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.