(Mercedes, Tx)-Head football coach Roger Adame, now in his 10th year (66-34 overall record), led his Tigers to the UIL State 5A Division II Bi-District title in a win over Sharyland Pioneer 37-27. A loss to Liberty Hill in the area championships ended their quest for a state title run. Liberty Hill advanced to the UIL State 5A DII Semifinals, losing to Port Neches 42-14.
The Tigers will be playing its final 2023 season in the realigned District 15-5A Division II with Gregory-Portland, Flour Bluff, Valley View, Brownsville Porter, and Edcouch-Elsa. Changes could come again in February 2024 when the UIL meets to realign all the state’s football districts.
The Tigers played one of the toughest non-district schedules in 2022. The Tigers lost to Weslaco (25-0), Harlingen(76-21), before pulling off an upset over the McAllen Bulldogs (47-38). A loss to La Feria (53-47) the following week put the Tigers at 1-3. Adame led his team over Sharyland 48-25 to end non-conference play. “We played a tough schedule to prepare our team for district and the playoffs,” says Adame. Ironically, all five teams made the playoffs with Harlingen, Weslaco, McAllen, and Sharyland going two rounds deep.
Players to watch are a DB Juan Villanueva, RB Ethan Anciso, QB Sebastian Villarreal, WR Ram Ayala, WR Jose Garza, QB Diego Bravo, OL Joseph Garza, and DL Santiago Sazo.
The Tigers will start Villarreal at quarterback (455 passing yards 3 TDs), and RB Ethan Anciso (751 yards rushing 10 TDs). Both players will be the spark to the Tigers offense anchored by OL Joseph Garza, who stands at 6’3 240lbs. On defense, the Tigers returns only four starters, something that Adame prides himself on on game nights. DB Gael Rivas (6’0 175lbs) returns with 53 total tackles, including 24 solo tackles.
The Tigers will open its season at home on August 25th against the Weslaco Panthers with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. followed by two road games against Harlingen (9/1) and McAllen (9/7). The Tigers will host Sharyland on September 22nd in their district opener and Valley View on October 6th. HSSM picks the Tigers to finish in third place in 2023. (HSSMImages/Ruiz)