(Pharr, Texas)-“We played sloppy tonight,” said PSJA North High School head football coach, Marcus Kaufmann. “It’s opening season and we just need to clean up those little things on game days.” The PSJA North Raiders (1-0) made it look easy as the 5A DI State-Ranked No.11 team blanked PSJA 41-0 on Friday Night at PSJA Stadium before an estimated crowd of 8,000 fans. The Raiders will now play host to Los Fresnos on Friday night with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
Watching from the sidelines was Raiders senior quarterback, Ale Aparicio wearing his headsets and holding a playcard, looking like a future head coach someday. “I’ll be back,” said Aparicio. Instead, Kaufmann kept his senior quarterback focused in the game with a play book. Kaufmann also gave the him nod to call some plays too. The Raiders scored on its opening drive with back up quarterback, senior Julius Arredondo making it look easy on a touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead over PSJA. On the ensuing kickoff, the Bears were caught standing still as the Raiders recovered a surprising onside kick at midfield. A few plays, it was the senior QB1, calling the play on a 38-yard line touchdown strike to sophomore running back Ethan Guerra to make it 14-0. “He (Ale) made that call,” said Kaufmann. “He’s going to be a coach someday.”
The Bears (0-1) were hopeful on Friday night with returning starting quarterback, Jaime Lopez. The 5’11 senior kicked off the season chasing former Sharyland Pioneer QB Eddie Marburger’s 8,986 passing yards record as compared with his own 5,256 career passing yards. On Friday night, the Raiders defense held Lopez to 11 completions for 90 yards and no touchdowns. “They are the real deal,” said PSJA High School head football coach, Lupe Rodriguez. “I told our players that we will alright after tonight’s loss. We played a real good football team. That’s why they are ranked No.11 in Texas.” The Bears will play at Weslaco East (0-1) on Friday night in Week Two. (HSSMImages)
Pictured are PSJA North HC Marcus Kaufmann with senior QB Ale Aparicio wearing headsets. L-r is senior back up QB2 Julius Arredondo, RB Ethan Guerra, and Arredondo passing.