Class 5A DI
13-5A SA Southside 10-1 vs 15-5A McAllen 6-5
Friday, Calallen Danaher Stadium 7:30 p.m.
CC Veterans 9-2 vs Edinburg Vela 10-1
Friday Buccaneer Stadium 7:30p
Winners meet in Regional Finals
The 15-5A DI third place McAllen Bulldogs (6-5) are riding on a three-game win streak behind sophomore QB Joaquin Valdez and WRs 6’0 Christian Echazarreta, 6’1 Max Alvarez, and 6′ 2 Bryan Alaniz. On defense, the Bulldogs are pretty darn good with DE 6’2 Eddie Baleras and 6’2 Salomon Arroyo. Both players had big games against Harlingen South. Problem? The Bulldog defense scored 12 points and on offense, the Bulldogs scored another 12 points. Head coach Patrick Shelby loves moments like these. So, what will happen on GameDay? Should the McAllen Bulldogs defeat SA Southside, they could find themselves playing District 15-5A DI runner-up, Edinburg Vela again.
The Sabercats defeated the Bulldogs in district play 59-7. But first, the Vela Sabercats must stop CC Veterans Memorial and QB Elijah Durrette (2,695 yards passing, 608 yards rushing) along with RB Jayden Castaneda (1,060 yards rushing), and 5’5 RB Luke Joya (762 yards rushing). WR Alejandro Guerrero is their go-to receiver with 810-yards and seven scores this season. The Sabercats will be tested as the Eagles has recorded 23 QB sacks with twin brothers 6’2 230lbs DE/LB Jaredh and Joshua Frayre recording nine total sacks combined.
Still, the Sabercats have not unleashed its full offensive-stride, despite outscoring their opponents 607-127. Head coach John Campbell likes playing one-game at a time. He likes those one-game wins every night. “That’s what I play for on game nights,’ said Campbell. Eleven different players have rushed 404 times for 2,910 yards and scored 49 touchdowns. Led by junior running backs Jamal Polley (1,309 yards), Dylan De Leon (703 yards), along with WRs Carlos Tamez (640 yards), Justin Navarro (671 yards), and Jaxon Shupe (433 yards). Vela Quarterback Bobby Garcia is the veteran leading his team with 1,318 yards passing and 16 TDs.
HSSM Predictions: Another McAllen vs Edinburg Vela Match-up!
15-5A PSJA North 11-0 vs 14-5A CC Miller 10-1
Friday, Cabaniss Field 7:30 p.m.
16-5A Brownsville Veterans 9-2 vs 14-5A Victoria West 6-5 at Cabaniss Field Thursday 7p
Winners meet in Regional Finals
These two-game match-ups will be fun to watch. Can the PSJA North Raiders make it back-to-back State Regional Finals? Can the Chargers from Brownsville Veterans play the Raiders in the third round? HSSM Predictions: You Bet!
Class 5A DII
13-5A Liberty Hill 10-1 vs 15-5A Mercedes 6-5
Friday, Gustafon Stadium-San Antonio, Texas
14-5A Alamo Heights 10-1 vs 15-5A Gregory-Portland 8-3
Gobbler Stadium-Cuero Thursday 7p
Winners play in Regional Finals.
15-5A Flour Bluff 8-3 vs 13-5A Lockhart 8-3
16-5A Sharyland 7-4 vs 13-5A SA Veterans Memorial 8-3
Student Activity Center-Sports Complex in Laredo
on Friday 7:00 p.m. kickoff.
Winners meet in Regional Finals.
Three teams from District 15-5A DII will all have their hands full. Can all three, including Mercedes, survive the Road to State?
HSSM Predictions: This could be the end of the road for all three 15-5A DII teams.
In District 16-5A Division II, the Sharyland Rattlers (7-4) will travel to play the San Antonio Veterans Memorial Patriots (8-3) at the Laredo Student Activity Center Complex on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
The Rattlers are coming off a Class 5A Division II playoff win over Edcouch-Elsa 32-7 in the Bi-District Championships. It’s been a banner year for the second year head coach Craig Krell. “I’m just so proud of this team,” said Krell, after winning the outright District 16-5A DII title.
Krell will watch his son, junior quarterback Bo Krell (1,552 passing yards 13 TDs) along with RB Alan Guerrero (1,270 yards rushing) and RB/WR Alek Gonzalez (479 yards). On defense, the Rattlers have picked its opponents eleven times with DB Santos Longoria (3 INTs) and DB Alberto Mendzoa (3INTs). Kickoff specialist, Mikaeli Nguma leads the Rio Grande Valley with 63 kickoffs for 3,378 yards with five touchbacks. He also averages 38.0 yards per punt with nine punts landing inside the 20-yard line.
The Patriots regular season losses have come against playoff teams SA Taft (45-35), Liberty Hill (56-49), and Kerrville Tivy (35-31). HSSM Predictions: Rattlers will win this one, it will be close.
