(Mission, Texas)-In Week One, the Blue Diamond Realty Group Game of the Week will feature McAllen Nikki Rowe Warriors traveling to meet the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks at Richard Thompson Stadium on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
It was a tough year for the Diamondbacks after rebounding from COVID-19, playing the 2020 season with no freshmen and junior varsity teams. Yet, head football coach Eddie Galindo, the offensive coordinator that season, helped lead the Diamondbacks (8-1) to the State DII 5A Quarterfinals in San Antonio against Liberty Hill, before losing 56-53. Last year, Galindo took over as the head coach after Tom Lee was promoted to assistant Sharyland ISD Athletic Director. In his first season, the Diamondbacks fell to 5-5 overall and missed the playoffs in 2021. “The expectations are high at Pioneer and we will be back in the state playoffs in 2022,” says Galindo.
On Friday night, both teams will be tested. The McAllen Nikki Rowe Warriors and head coach Robert Flores will once again lead his Warriors in 2022 seeking a possible District 15-5A Division I title. The Warriors have plenty to chant about too, after qualifying for the Texas State 7-on-7 Championships held at College Station this past summer. “It’s all about team motivation,” says Flores. “This team has high expectations this season.” The Rowe Warriors will feature one of the biggest offensive lines in South Texas. Led by seniors OL Gabe Dougherty (6’4 290lbs), OL Juan Garcia (6’4 280lbs), and juniors OL Michael Banda (6’2 300lbs), and Gabe Banda (6’2 310lbs). On defense, LB Nelson Ramirez (53 tackles 41 solos 3 INTs), DT Bruno Campos, DT Mikhail Mata, LB Eric Requenez (2 QB Sacks), all return from a team that allowed 181 points scored all season.
Galindo, the Edinburg High School graduate who coached under the legendary head coach, Robert Vela at Edinburg High School knows that his team will be tested after knocking off McAllen Memorial HS in last week’s live scrimmage.
Diamondback players to watch are junior quarterback Julian Valdez (354 yards passing 378 yards rushing), senior WR Joseph Graham Jr (1,489 yards receiving-two seasons), senior Cole Woydziak (6’4 225lbs) and younger sophomore brother, OT Cooper Woydziak (6’4 290lbs). (HSSMImages)
The Diamondbacks will be playing in the six-team newly realigned District 16-5A Division II with Mission Veterans, Sharyland, Roma, PSJA Memorial, and PSJA Southwest. (HSSMImages)