2009 RGV Football Preview

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Volume 6 Issue 1

August 29, 2009

Top-Ranked>

<RB Jose Bocanegra

Who’s No.1?

to 4A Playoffs

RGV Teams

Will Lead ‘Huskies

GameDay Schedules>

<QB Matthew Kaufmann

matchups in South Texas

Mustang Title

Week-by-Week

Set to Defend 30-5A

2009 Rio Grande Valley

Football

Preview

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ast year, Rio and girls teams will Grande Valley begin play in April teams advanced 19-22, 2010. Parthree-deep in ents and fans can Publisher & CEO the state football now expect to see David A. Amador playoffs in Class 5A and 3A. golf teams from Daniel Silva Two teams from 32-3A, Rio Austin, San AntoHSSM Webmaster Hondo and La Feria both adnio, Corpus Christi, Jason O. Martinez vanced to the Regional finals, Laredo, and the B.B.A., C.P.T. with only La Feria upsetting BY DAVID Rio Grande Valley HSSM Columnists Bandera 31-14 in the AlamoAMADOR meeting throughout 956.929-4700 Office dome. The Lions would then HSSM PUBLISHER the year at Palm956.971-0185 Fx view Golf Course in meet Cuero in the State 3A DiviHigh School Sports Magazine sion I Quarterfinals and their mysti- McAllen for various school tournaMcAllen, Texas 78504 cal season would end with a 55-13 ments for boys and at Los Lagos loss. In Class 5A, Harlingen found Golf Course in Edinburg for girls. its glory path heading right to the Both golf courses were named the Member of the Alamodome with a matchup against host sites in Class 5A Region IV. Texas Senator, Eddie Lucio Austin Westlake in the regional finals. The Chaps easily won 49-23 in voiced his concerns about “fair rotaNational Association of Hispanic Journalists Division I. The Rattlers from Shary- tions” of University Interscholastic land lost to State 5A semifinalist, League sites for playoffs. Senator All stories and photos published by High School Sports Magazine may not be reprinted without written permission. All stories may be submitted for consideration in the upcoming issues. High School Sports Magazine prints SA Clark 49-21. In 2008, our home Lucio challenged the UIL, the UIL 13 issues annually beginning in August and ending in July. listened. The UIL answered. would be the “Alamodome”.

Copyright Protected 2009.

Now, with the U.I.L. under conFlipping for “home” sites in the PRINTED IN U.S.A. playoffs would give the Rio Grande tract negotiations with other sites Valley a huge advantage for Valley for the upcoming 2009 Class 5A fans. Imagine if all three teams had Division I & II Football Champiwon their coin flips and the desig- onships, maybe now would be the nated playoff site would have been right time to challenge the UIL to McAllen Memorial Veterans Sta- hosts all state championships at one dium; And why not, the stadium it- location and rotate them every year self could play host to 15,000 fans. like the BCS does. Maybe the series More revenues and fanfare would could be called the UIL Texas Bowl Championship Series. have been created.

Cities from El Paso, Dallas, HousRecently, the UIL gave “in” to the Rio Grande Valley by awarding Re- ton, Austin, and San Antonio could gion IV sites in golf, basketball, vol- hosts these championship games. leyball, and soccer in the 5A Classi- It’s time to start showing America State 5A Football Championships. Finals fications. The Class 5A Region IV just how “Big” high school football to be held December 17-19 at site yet to Golf Championships for both boys is in Texas. be determined. (HSSM IMages)

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Contents August 29, 2009

Volume Six Issue One

GameDay. RB Phillip Fruge of Harlingen South is roughed up by PSJA Bears defenders in 2008. The Hawks (2-8) will be rebuilding under new coach Gilbert Leal while the Bears eye the playoffs. (HSSM IMages)

8 Football Preview 19 Week by Week 23 32-3A Teams

By David A. Amador

HSSM ranks the Top Ten teams from the Rio Grande Valley.

Want to guess whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No.1?

By David A. Amador

Football season kicks off August 28th in the Rio Grande Valley.

Listed are teams and their matchups.

www.highschoolsportsmagazine.net

By David A. Amador

Will Pirates make playoffs behind new head coach Robin Kirk? Can La Feria make another State 3A title run?

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2009 Rio Grande Valley

Football

Preview

(McAllen, Texas)-Surprised? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be. These Mustangs are good. Really good.

Probably better than the McAllen Memorial team that went three-deep in the State 5A playoffs two years ago when they lost to San Antonio MacArthur 35-34 on a missed extra point. This was the same year that the Mustangs also won a share of the 30-5A title. Afterwards, it took head coach Bill Littleton one season in 2007 to 6<6HIGHHIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE April 30-May 31, 2009 SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE August 29, 2009

Ramblinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mustangs! Senior center linemen, Bob Lozano will lead his 30-5A defending champions, McAllen Memorial in 2009. (HSSM IMages)

>The HSSM Polls 1. McAllen Memorial 2. Harlingen 3. McAllen H.S. 4. Sharyland 5. Edinburg 6. Weslaco H.S. 7. Mission H.S. 8. Los Fresnos 9. Edcouch-Elsa 10. Port Isabel

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RB Gabe Phillips of McAllen Memorial will give the Mustangs a solid running game as he did against Laredo Alexander in the State 5A playoffs last season. (HSSM IMages) regroup from a 1-9 season. The result, a perfect 7-0 season and his second district title in 2008. This season could prove to be even better. Littleton overcame the critics who questioned his move to start a freshmen quarterback in 2008. He chose to go with Matthew Kaufmann. It nearly cost him his job after losing the first non-district games to Edinburg Economedes (22-25) and Brownsville Pace (19-33). His streak of nine losses started to fuel Mustang fans. Some even said “his choices were poor ones”. HSSM asked Littleton about these critics and simply replied with “it’s my choice and Kaufmann is a good one.”

The No.1 ranked team, the Mustangs (9-3, 7-0) return six starters on offense, including sophomore, Kaufmann at quarterback. The speedy and well-balanced pass thrower will have plenty of talent to spread the ball around too. Wide receivers Andrew Salinas (5’11) and Jake Garza (6’3) will be tough to defend along with tightend John Montemayor. In the backfield, the Mustangs will be experienced. Running backs Gabe Phillips (5’10

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view No.3 McAllen will need to improve defensively if they expect to contend for another state playoff berth. (HSSM IMages)

190lbs, 820 yards rushing in 2008) and Ben Garcia both return to add more fire-power to the State 5A Division II Bi-District Champions on the ground. The offense will be led by senior captain Bob Lozano at center and with OT Trey Johnson.

Last year, the McAllen Bulldogs made an early exit from the State 5A playoffs losing to San Antonio Southwest 28-35 in OT. The Bulldogs had the team to possibly go deep in the playoffs but the saga continues for head coach Tony Harris as he strives to find ways of making it past the second round. In 2007, the Bulldogs had their chances against Weslaco but the Panther running attack and Mishak Rivas ended Harrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bid for a third round playoff bid. The Bulldogs return four starters on offense and three on defense. The Bulldogs have made adjustments on offense by moving TE Austin Griffith (6â&#x20AC;&#x2122;4, 200lbs) to quarterback and LB Aleck Rios to fullback. HSSM has learned that WR Nick Garza, UTSA committ, has a severe bunion. But according to Harris, > Send your scores and stats to David A. Amador, @ hssmonline@yahoo.com

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2009

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Preview Rio Grande Valley

he expects big things from his star senior. Harris would not comment on Garzaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible injury. The Bulldogs will challenge the Mustangs for the 30-5A District title. A trophy Harris would love to win outright after thirteen years as the McHi coach.

The Sharyland Rattlers made it all the way to the State 5A Division I Regional finals and for head coach Fred Sanchez, his first trip to the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas was a dream come true. He only wished that they would have kept up with San Antonio Clark, who ended the Rattlers season with a 49-21 defeat. What made the 2008 season special for the Rattlers was their third place finish (10-3, 5-2) in 30-5A because this finish allowed the Rattlers to win two titles in the state playoffs: Bi-District and Area Championship. Again, in 2009 the Rattlers will have to settle for another playoff spot as the reigning 30-5A champions, McAllen Memorial are picked to win it all again. The Rattlers return eight on offense, including RB Scottie Meyer, WR Chris Zuniga, RB Ricky Mata, and LB Abu-Hala.ked to defend their title again.

HSSMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30-5A Pre-Season Picks 1. McAllen Memorial H.S. 2. McAllen H.S. 3. Sharyland H.S. 4. Rio Grande City 5. Donna H.S. 6. La Joya H.S. 7. La Joya Palmview 8. McAllen Nikki Rowe 2008 State 5A Playoffs: McAllen Memorial defeats Laredo Alexander (53-28); lose to Los Fresnos (15-59); McAllen lose to SA Southwest 2835); Donna lose to Laredo United (7-46); Sharyland defeats Del Rio (35-

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Sharyland Advances. The Rattlers play SA Clark in the State 5A Regional finals i Class 5A Division I at the Alamodome in 2008. (HSSM IMages)

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18) and PSJA (28-13). Lose to SA Clark (21-49).

Throughout the season, head coach Tony Villarreal of Weslaco felt the regiments of winning as a Panther coach. He felt this movement even more so when his team lost to the Edinburg Bobcats in 2008. “We are expected to win in Weslaco and makingthe playoffs in four straight seasons is not easy. This year will be even tougher,” he adds. The same goes for third-year head coach Joey Casares of Edinburg. Improving his team record to 4-6 and ending their 18-game losing streak against Weslaco (24-20) gave him another year with the Bobcats. Despite the naysayers, Edinburg stuck with Casares for another season. With eight starters back on both sides, this Bobcat team could return to the post season for the first time since 2005.

Players to watch will be the return of quarterback Issac Escobar and WR Manny Menchaca. Both players are skilled at their positions both are expected to lead this team to the playoffs. First, they will have to find a way to unseat the Harlingen Cardinals (10-3) and PSJA North Raiders, last season’s 31-5A Co-Champions.

For the Cardinals, the Yellowjackets (32-4A) embarrassed the Redbirds last year in their first-ever meeting in non-district by winning 17-14 and then the Raiders handed the Cards its second loss of the year (20-28), Tough Cat. Senior WR Manny Menchaca will be the Go-to-Bobcat in Edinburg.

They will travel to Weslaco on September 18th for a non-district match-up in 2009.

(HSSM IMages)

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We are expected to win in Weslaco and making the playoffs in four straight seasons is not easy. This year will be even tougher.... Tony Villarreal Weslaco High School Head Football Coach

Panther Football. Head coach Tony Villarreal hopes to end Weslaco’s drought of not winning a 32-5A District title.

(HSSM IMages)

> Send your scores and stats to David A. Amador, @ hssmonline@yahoo.com

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thus having to share the 31-5A title in 2008. Thirdyear head coach Manny Gomez will take his team to Edcouch, Texas on September 4th to settle their indifferences and then will host the Raiders on October 30th for another possible title showdown.

The region’s top running back Pablo Garza (1,368 yards, 24tds) returns with new quarterback Mack Sanchez. Mingo Rincon will spearhead the offensive line. District 31-5A watched four teams tie for first and second with the same records (Harlingen-PSJA North 6-1 Co-Champs) and (Edinburg NorthPSJA 5-2 tied for second) and fans can expect this district go down to the wire again with the Edinburg Bobcats stepping in to make a run at the 31-5A title.

Austin Westlake (23-49); PSJA defeats Brownsville Pace (24-7) lose to Sharyland (28-13); Edinburg North loses to Los Fresnos (70-21); PSJA North defeats Brownsville Porter (27-15) and loses to SA Southwest (41-21).

In 32-5A, “We are going to be young,” says Panther head coach Tony Villarreal. “We need to get on the winning track early on,” he adds. The Panthers will debut in their newly-remodeled Bobby Lackey Stadium on September 18th against Edinburg. A game

HSSM’s 31-5A Pre-Season Picks 1. Harlingen 2. Edinburg 3. PSJA 4. PSJA North 5. Economedes 6. Harlingen South 7. Edinburg North 8. PSJ Memorial 2008 State 5A Playoffs: Harlingen defeats Laredo United (35-7) and Weslaco (63-14); lose to Pace QB Senior Rodrigo Tostado

> Send your scores and stats to David A. Amador, @ hssmonline@yahoo.com

Porter QB Senior Matthew Bullock

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The Newest Rivalries

(La Joya, Texas)-This tiny western town of brush and drylands is home to three football programs. Once a powerful football team, the La Joya Coyotes became the Huskies and Lobos with the opening of 5A Palmview High School and 4A Juarez-Lincoln High School in 2008.

Head coach Leonel Casas watched his Coyotes get split into three campuses in 2008 and the end result was a losing season for all three high schools.

In a town, where local police are stationed in the center of the median with their radar guns on, traffic slowdowns, trying to avoid speeding tickets; however, football is the still King in La Joya on football Friday nights. What’s worst now, rivalries are beginning to heat up between all three schools.

“Our players are competitors. They want to win. It doesn’t matter Tough Dogs. The La Joya Palmview Lobos will meet the La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Huskies on September 11th.

(HSSM IMages)

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if we are first-year program,” says Huskies head coach, Aaron Garcia.

The Palmview Lobos entered 30-5A picked to finish last, while the Coyotes posted a 3-7 record. The Huskies matched the Coyotes record in its first season in 32-4A. The Lobos struggled as they faced both La Joya teams and ended up with losses to La Joya (0-34) and JuarezLincoln (42-20). The 30-5A Lobos also went 0-10 in its first season in Class 5A. “Most of these players from our community grew up together and they know each other. But our coaching staff also taught these players how to win at a very young age. This is where the rivalry begins. Our players want to win, regardless of what school they are from,” says Garcia.

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that slipped away from the Panthers in 2008. “That game got away from us. We should have won that one,” adds Villarreal. While the game was just a non-district outing, it mattered a lot for the Bobcats as they snapped their 18-game losing streak with the win.

Villarreal has watched his Panthers settle for playoff spots rather than district titles and the Los Fresnos Falcons, instead, have enjoyed taking all three titles away for the past three straight seasons. For the Panthers, the home-field advantage will play a big factor as they will travel to Los Fresnos on September 25th to open their 32-5A season. How important will the district opener be for the purple and white? “Very important,” says Villarreal. He still remembers their own streak of three-straight losses to Edinburg, Los Fresnos, and Brownsville Pace. “That was tough. This year will be even more challenging.” The Panthers return just four starters on offense and Villarreal also points out that he had ten players who were sophomores playing against Harlingen (14-63) in the State 5A Division I playoffs in 2008. “We had too many injuries towards the end of the season,” says Villarreal. “We will see a lot of new faces in 2009.” 2008 State 5A Playoffs: Weslaco loses to Harlingen (14-63)); Los Fresnos defeats Edinburg North (70-21) and McAllen Memorial (59-15); lose to SA Regan (28-11). Brownsville Pace loses to PSJA (24-7); Brownsville Porter loses PSJA North (27-15).

HSSM’s Picks 32-5A Pre-Season Picks 1. Weslaco 2. Los Fresnos 3. Brownsville Pace 4. San Benito 5. Brownsville Porter 6. Brownsville Hanna 7. Brownsville Lopez 8. Brownsville Rivera

Strong Traditions. The Donna Redskins will try to make it three straight playoffs in a row in 2009.

(HSSM IMages)

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Week by Week Schedules

For more information go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunion Roma at Zapata Football Lyford at Santa Rosa and Raymondville at Valley View Hidalgo at Falfurrias Bunions

Week 1 Friday, September 4th

Week 3 Friday, September 18th

Juarez-Lincoln at Hidalgo Rio Hondo at Cuero McAllen Memorial at Economedes Rio Grande City at Bro Pace Edinburg North at Sharyland PSJA North at San Benito Los Fresnos at PSJA Mission at SA McCollum La Feria at Mercedes Santa Rosa at La Villa Kingsville vs Raymondville Porter at Palmview Harlingen at Edcouch-Elsa Weslaco at Harlingen South McAllen Rowe vs Mission Vets

Brownsville Lopez vs Weslaco East Pace at PSJA Memorial Los Fresnos at Calallen Santa Rosa at La Feria PSJA at McAllen Memorial Edinburg at Weslaco Laredo Martin at Roma Juarez-Lincoln at CC Miller St. Joe at La Villa *All Games at 7:30 p.m.

HSSM IMages/Toe/Bunion

Week 2 Friday, September 11th Mission Vets at Alice Ingleside at Rio Hondo PSJA at McAllen La Feria at Weslaco East Port Isabel vs Edcouch-Elsa Weslaco at Rio Grande City Sharyland at Edinburg McAllen Memorial at Pace Laredo Alexander at Donna San Benito at Harlingen Mercedes at Los Fresnos

> Send your scores and stats to David A. Amador, @ hssmonline@yahoo.com

A bunion is a structural deformity of the bones and the joint between the foot and big toe, and may be painful.

A bunion is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe (metatarsophalangeal joint).The big toe may turn in toward the second toe (angulation), and the tissues surrounding the joint may be swollen and tender.

Today the term usually is used to refer to the pathological bump on the side of the great toe joint. The bump is the swollen bursal sac and/or an osseous (bony) deformity that has grown on the mesophalangeal joint (where the first metatarsal bone and hallux meet). Bunion surgery can be performed under local, spinal, or general anesthetic.

The trend has moved strongly toward using the less invasive local anesthesia over the years. A patient can expect a 6- to 8-week recovery period during which crutches are usually required for aid in mobility.

It is much less common today as newer, more stable procedures and better forms of fixation (stabilizing the bone with screws and other hardware) are used.

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(Mercedes)-If Mercedes quarterback, Albert Chavez will focus on his playbook in 2009, the Tigers could see themselves making the post season again under new head coach Mike Uribe. The team to watch this year in 2009 will be the La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Huskies. Second-year head coach Aaron Garcia led his team to three victories in its first varsity season in 32-4A. They willbe led by RB Jose Bocanegra, who rushed for 1,400 yards and added another 600 yards caught in the air.

He’s Back. Mercedes Tiger’s QB Albert Chavez will be the surprise player in 2009.

(HSSM IMages)

2009 Rio Grande Valley

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HSSM’s Picks 32-4A Pre-Season Picks 1.

2.

3.

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5.

6.

7.

8.

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Mission Edcouch-Elsa Weslaco East LJ Juarez-Lincoln Mercedes MissionVeterans Roma Valley View

August 29, 2009

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But with the Mission Eagles looking for great strides behind new head coach Mario Pena, both Mercedes and Juarez will be on the playoff-bubble while Edcouch-Elsa and Weslaco East will challenge the Eagles for the district title. The Wildcats lost to Flour Bluff in the State 4A playoffs and head coach Armando Cuellar knows that RB Addison Einhorn will have to replace Andrew Alvaradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2,000 yards he gained in 2008. Mission Veterans, Valley View, and Roma will much improved. David Gilpin takes over at Mission Veterans and Tracey Hamilton at Valley View.

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> Send your scores and stats to David A. Amador, @ hssmonline@yahoo.com

Wildcat Scratches. The Weslaco East Cats will be tough on defense as they look to win their first 32-4A title.

(HSSM IMages)

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Hidalgo Early College H.S. Named U.I.L. 2008-09 Lonestar Cup 3A Top Three Athletic Programs

2008-2009

“The Year in Sports”

Albert Guerra

President of the RGV Athletic Directors Association

2009 State 4A State Soccer Champions Hidalgo Boys Soccer

2009 State 3A Semifinalists-Hidalgo Lady Pirates Basketball Pirate Athletics

910 East Pirate Dr. Hidalgo, Texas 78557

956-843-4300

32-3A Preview

Pirates Ready For Challenge (Hidalgo)-The Pirates went shopping for a head football coach in the off-season and found what they were looking for in Texas. Robin Kirk, former head coach from TAPPS Houston St. Pius X, takes over a Pirate program with seven returning starters on offense.

Players to watch are new transfer QB Kevin Trevino, RB Hugo Garcia, and OL Alex Villarreal.

The Pirates finished 6-4 last year and 3-3 in 32-3A, missing the playoffs. The Pirates will have their hands full with Rio Hondo, Port Isabel, La Feria, and Raymondville, all who will be contending for a 3A playoff spot. “This will be a tough district,” says Kirk.

The Tarpons are picked to win another 32-3A title and head coach Monty Stumbaugh feels that this year his players are more focused with less distractions after Hurricane Dolly slammed this town prior to the opening game. This havoc caused alot of set backs as families were left staring at standing water in their homes. “This community came together helping each other. Our players played a major role with helping each other,” adds Stumbaugh.

With the Tarpons returning just three starters on offense, QB Kyle DeMoss will lead his team under center.

Welcome to the RGV Captain Kirk! Robin Kirk will lead his Pirates in 2009. (HSSM IMages) > Send your scores and stats to David A. Amador, @ hssmonline@yahoo.com

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