High School Sports Magazine-December 2007 Issue by David Amador

November 29-December 22, 2007

2007 State Football Playoff Edition

VOL 3 ISSUE 5

State HS Past Champions

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RGV Stats and Standings >>>>>>>>>>>>

More Playoff Results

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Class 5A Division II Regionals

Who Rules? VS SA Madison

Class 5A Division I Regional Finals Converse Judson vs La Joya Los Fresnos vs SA Reagan

Weslaco H.S.

Class 5A Division II Regional Finals Harlingen South vs Smithson Valley Weslaco vs SA Madison

Class 2A Division I Quarterfinals Santa Rosa vs Salado

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Vol 3 Issue 5 Nov. 29, 2007

Showtime!

SA Madison Meets Weslaco at Bobby Lackey Stadium by David A. Amador

18 Coyotes Howling

La Joya will play three-time defending state champs, Judson Rockets

20 Hawks Flying

Smithson Valley to play Harlingen South in third round of the State 5A playoffs

25 Los Fresnos Back

Falcons to meet SA Reagan at Victoria Memorial Stadium on Saturday

31 Warriors Win

F E A T U R E S

Santa Rosa advances to the State 2A Quarterfinals in Division I

34 State Champions

Converse Judson and Southlake Carroll dominate the the past fifteen years in titles and apperances.

35 On the Sidelines A Thanksgiving Black Friday. PSJA North Players crash and one dies.

Cover: SA Madison’s Andrew Green and Johnathon Flores. Weslaco Mishak Rivas, the featured photo. (HSSM IMages)

Bloody Battle. Tino Hong, 6’5” offensive linemen of McAllen H.S. watched his Bulldogs get ousted by Weslaco 40-38 in the State 5A Division II playoffs. (HSSM IMages/David A. Amador) November 29, 2007

San Antonio Madison 11-1

Weslaco H.S. 10-2

“Playing at home in the Rio Grande Valley is huge...”

“The homefield advantage will be the factor in this game...”

Jim Streety-San Antonio Madison H.S.

Tony Villarreal-Weslaco H.S.

State 5A Division II Regional Finals

Showtime! Panthers Meet Mavericks Again: This Time In Football By DAVID A. AMADOR, HSSM Sports Director (Weslaco, Texas)-Head coach Tony Villarreal of Weslaco lives for games like this one. “Anytime you play in December, you still have a shot at a state title,” adds Villarreal. Both teams are no strangers to each other, since they already met in the same round in 2007, but this game was the State 5A Regional semifinals basketball game. In that game, the Mavericks of San Antonio Madison dominated the game defeated Seeentire story onand next pageWeslaco 68-34 and advanced to the State 5A Final Four tournament. Mavericks head coach Jim Streety says that,“this Weslaco is fast and they will be hard to stop.” He also mentioned the name Mishak Rivas too. “On film, he looks fast and I just

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Showtime! The SA Madison Mavericks will be led by Quarterback Bryan Ehrlich and the Panthers will feature two-year starter Dylan De Leon. Both will meet this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Class 5A Division II Regional Semifinals. The winner will play Smithson Valley or Harlingen South next week in the quarterfinals. (JW/HSSMImages)

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

hope that we will be able to contain him when he’s on the field,” added Streety. The Weslaco Panthers (10-2) enter the state playoffs boasting the State 5A’s leading rusher with 3,096 yards and 45 touchdowns in 12 games. Rivas set a single game rushing record against San Benito with 422 yards in their 40-21 win earlier in the season. Last week, Rivas broke losse on a 86-yard touchdown run and he would finish with 318 yards and five touchdowns in the Panthers 40-38 win over the McAllen Bulldogs. The Mavericks (11-1) also know that they will have their hands, not just with Rivas, but with fullback Alex Tafolla and running back Eric Guzman. But Villarreal, he’s just excited to get to this level in the state playoffs. “This is the Sweet 16 and this will be an exciting game and do we have a chance to move to the next round,” says Villarreal. On the front lines for the Mavericks, they will start Brandon Breiten (218 lbs, 5’11), Josh Cordy (276 lbs 6’2), Daniel Rumsey 235 lbs 6’1), Rudy Nerio (261 lbs 5’10), Jamone McDougald (266 lbs 6’0), and tightend Noah Dickson (188 lbs 5’11). On defense, the Mavericks will start upfront, Michael Williams (5’11 209 lbs), George Gafford (196 lbs 6’0), John Vivian (199 lbs 6’0), and Aaron Miller (199 lbs 6’1). The Mavericks offensive line have plowed the way for quarterback Bryan Ehrlich, (6’1 180 lbs) who has passed for 1,292 yards and 5 tds. Last week, the Mavericks defeated SA Warren 17-13 in the closing seconds to advance while the Panthers outlasted the McHi Bulldogs 40-38. The Mavericks enter the third round with key injuries. Top running back Devin Thomas (1,447 yards

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2007 State 5A Division II Region IV Brackets (Lower Bracket) Bi District

San Marcos SA Madison CC Ray SA Warren Laredo South McAllen Ed North Weslaco

Area

Regionals

SA Madison SA Warren McAllen Weslaco

SA Madison Region Winner IV plays Har South/ Qtrs Smithson Valley Finals

Weslaco

Go Mavericks! The SA Madison Mavericks have scored 437 points this season. They will play the Weslaco Panthers in the Class 5A Division II Regional semifinals this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Weslaco Bobby Lackey Stadium. The Winner will meet Harlingen South or Smithson Valley. (JW/HSSMImages) rushing, 17tds) had his right ankle broken in the sixth ago, the Mavericks lost their back up starter Josh Miles game of the season against SA Reagan on October 6th. (76 carries/736 yards rushing) to a season ending knee A game the Mavericks won 41-14. Then two weeks injury.

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Weslaco’s Top Rushing Back Mishak Rivas has rushed for 3,096 yards and 45 touchdowns this season. Rivas will lead the Panthers against SA Madison in the Class 5A Division II Regional semifinals at Bobby Lackey Stadium, Saturday, December 1st at 2:00 p.m. (HSSM IMages) “We are struggling to score points and with Devin and Josh out, we will depend on Bryan to lead us,” adds Streety. Against SA Warren, Ehrlich connected with reciever Nate Askew for an 11-yard touchdown

pass on a fade route with 27-seconds left to play, to lead the Mavericks in their come-from-behind win. Ehrlich finished the night completing 20-of-33 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed nine times for 49 yards. Madison also found that their passing game surprised Warren. Three receivers for the Mavericks had a great day. Joey Boyd (8-94), Mario Wiggins (270), Noah Dickson (2-47), and Nate Askew (2-26) led the team with receptions. If the Mavericks plan on going to the air, last week the Panthers defense shutdown McHi’s passing attack by intercepting their quarterback three times. “Our defense has really stepped it up in these last three games. Luckily for us, the advantage will go to our defensive backs because we have played two high-power passing offenses in the last three weeks. Los Fresnos and McHi

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

prepared us for this level. We’ll be ready,” added Villarreal. The Panthers are averaging 51.0 points per game in the playoffs and have amassed more than 475 yards of total offense. Rivas has rushed for 11 touchdowns in two playoff games and more than six hundred yards rushing. If the Mavericks expect to make any progress Saturday afternoon, they will have to stop Dylan De Leon. “He’s our guy. He knows how to read defenses and makes the calls at the line,” says Villarreal. De Leon has passed for 15 touchdowns, when needed. Up front, on offense, the Panthers are led by a nucleus of linemen: Daniel Lozano (6’1 230 lbs), Daniel Losoya (6’0 230 lbs), Leo De La Cruz (6’2 265 lbs), Victor Aranda (6’1 240 lbs), and Erasmo Cruz (6’1 255 lbs). All year long the Panthers have out-rushed their opponents and have exhausted them with their up tempo play. “Defenses get tired with our kind of football and that’s when we beat them in the second half,” says Villarreal. Running backs Eric Guzman, Eric Hernandez, and Alex Tafolla will carry half of the load while Rivas is resting and if De Leon chooses, he will look for Rene Tamez, Daniel Lozano, Bryant Nieto, and Jacob Chapa at the receiver positions.

“I think that we will have our hands fulls and I do not look forward to coming to the Valley...”

Madison Heach Coach Jim Streety “I was hoping that we would not have to travel to Weslaco. But, our players will be excited leaving San Antonio and going on this trip,” adds Streety. The Mavericks head coach has led Madison to eleven playoff apperances in his 17 years with the Mavs and he also has notched 287 wins. For Villarreal, this will be his third season at Weslaco. The Veteran coach has led the Panthers one step further in each of

his three seasons with Weslaco. In his first season, the Panthers moved into the bi-district round; then last year, they advanced to the area round; now the regional finals. Prior to coaching at Madison, Streety coached at New Braunfels. “I think that we will have our hands fulls and I do not look forward to coming to the Valley,” says Streety. With only two remaining 32-5A surviors left in the State 5A playoffs, only Weslaco and Los Fresnos will two teams from

TEAMFACTS

Class 5A Division II Regional Semifinals

2007 San Antonio Madison Mavericks Overall Season Record 11-1

2007 Weslaco H.S. Panthers Overall Season Record 10-2

District 26-5A SA Madison 50 Seguin 0 SA Madison 55 SA O’Connor 15 SA Madison 42 SA Wagner 7 SA Madison 62 SA Lee 0 SA Madison 29 Smithson Valley 14 SA Madison 42 SA Reagan 14 SA Madison 17 Converse Judson 20 SA Madison 28 SA Churchill 14 SA Madison 35 SA MacArthur 0 SA Madison 38 SA Roosevelt 10

District 32-5A Weslaco 41 Edcouch-Elsa 40 Weslaco 20 Donna 27 Weslaco 40 Mercedes 27 Weslaco 41 Bro Hanna 16 Weslaco 62 Bro Pace 13 Weslaco 49 Bro Rivera 0 Weslaco 69 Bro Lopez 45 Weslaco 41 San Benito 21 Weslaco 55 Bro Porter 17 Weslaco 28 Los Fresnos 31

Class 5A Division II Playoffs Bi-District SA Madison 22 San Marcos 14 Area Championships SA Madison 17 SA Warren 13 Regional Semifinals SA Madison vs Weslaco

Class 5A Division II Playoffs Bi-District Weslaco 62 Edinburg North 49 Area Championships Weslaco 40 McAllen H.S. 38 Regional Semifinals SA Madison vs Weslaco

Players to Watch 4 QB Bryan Ehrlich 33 RB Eddie Pitts 22 RB Andrew Green 11 WR Joey Boyd 27-519 yards-5tds Key Injuries: RB Devin Thomas-out 1,447 yards-17 tds RB Josh Miles-knee 746 yards-6 tds 437 points scored on offense 80 points allowed by defense

Players to Watch 5 QB Dylan De Leon 12 RB Mishak Rivas 3,096 yards-44 tds 39 FB Alex Tafolla 37 RB Eric Guzman

Last Playoff: Class 5A Division I 2005 Quarterfinals Lost to Smithson Valley 20-50

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Key Injuries: None 446 points scored on offense 237 points allowed by defense Last Playoff: Class 5A Division I Area Championships 2006 Lost to Laredo United 34-38

District 26-5A this weekend. The 26-5A District has been pegged as the toughest district in the state of Texas amongst high school football competition. Three state champions have emerged from 26-5A in the past years and they are Converse Judson, Roosevelt, and Churchill. In 1995, two champions emerged. Converse Judson defeated Odessa Permian 31-28 in Class 5A Division I, while SA Rooseevlt knocked off Flower Mound Marcus 17-10 in Division II. Recently, Converse Judson lost to Euless Trinity 28-14 in the State 5A 2005 finals in Division I. With more than 12,000 fans expected to fill the stands, the home field advantage should play a be factor with the fanatic purple and white fans who tend to get loud, causing opposing teams to jump offsides. In the Edinburg North and McHi playoff games, both teams were flagged for jumping offsides due to the loud Panthers fans. “I’m real excited about this opportunity but I would love to get this team to the next round,” says Villarreal. For football updates log on to: www.hssmonline.net District 31-5A Los Fresnos* Weslaco San Benito Brownsville Pace Brownsville Lopez Brownsville Porter Brownsville Hanna Brownsville Rivera * Denotes District Champion

Tough Panther Defense. Weslaco defensive back Melchor Valdez, a 6’3 junior will be ready for SA Madison and their passing attack. The Panthers defeated the Edinburg North Cougars in Bi-District 62-49. (HSSM IMages)

District Overall 7-0 10-2 6-1 10-2 5-2 7-4 3-4 3-8 3-4 4-6 2-5 2-8 1-6 1-9 1-6 1-9

District 26-5A District Overall PF 7-1 SA Madison* 11-1 437 Smithson Valley 7-1 11-1 500 6-2 SA Reagan 10-2 396 5-3 SA Judson 8-4 298 4-4 SA Roosevelt 5-5 249 3-5 SA Wagner 4-6 244 3-5 SA Churchill 4-6 201 1-7 SA MacArthur 3-7 160 0-8 SA Lee 2-8 242

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

PA 121 206 302 232 286 306 236 326 387

of the month

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PHOTO GALLERY at www.hssmonline.net TOP Athletes-South Texas >>>High School Sports All the Time. Best Sports Video Show “In The Garage” with Touchdown Dave every day at www.hssmonline.net <<< HSSMImages/David A. Amador

Fruge Leads Hawks in overtime playoff win against Nikki Rowe in the Class 5A Division II Area Champiohsips.

Volume 3 Issue 5 November 29-Dec. 22, 2007 Publisher & CEO David A. Amador

Brent Waters HSSM Sales Manager Alec D. Amador HSSM Photographer Jason O. Martinez B.B.A., C.P.T. HSSM Columnist Dave R. Smith HSSM Columnist Bob Hoffman HSSM Columnist

RB Phillip Fruge of Harlingen South scored the winning td in playoffs

More Burger King/HRMI TOP PERFORMERS >McAllen HS OT Tino Hong earns the “Toughman” award after being cut during the Weslaco-McHi playoff game. Weslaco won 40-38.

>La Joya HS QB Trey Ramirez led his Coyotes in an upset win over PSJA in the Class 5A Div I Area playoffs.

>Read more on www.hssmonline.net

Mishak Watch... Weslaco RB Mishak Rivas rushed for 318 yards and four touchdowns in Weslaco’s win over McHi. HSSMImages

Rivas now has 3,096 yds for the year and 45 tds.

HSSMOnline net

>Read more on www.hssmonline.net

Daniel Silva HSSM Webmaster Corporate Office

956.984.8871 Fax

956.971-0185 All stories and photos published by High School Sports Magazine may not be reprinted without written premission. All stories may be submitted for consideration in the upcoming issues. High School Sports Magazine prints 13 issues annually beginning in August and ending in July. Mail all inquiries to: 2416 Frontera Road McAllen, Texas 78504

>Donna HS RB Josh Reyna’s 60-yard run in the 4th quarter put the Redskins up 26-24 over the Los Fresnos Falcons. The Falcons won 30-26 in the closing minutes.

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Season 8-1 8-2 4-6 3-7 2-7 0-8

District 32-2A Standings xy-Santa Rosa x-Banquete x-Hebbronville Freer Bishop Premont Riviera

9-1 7-3 5-4 5-5 2-8 2-8 2-8

6-0 4-2 4-2 4-2 2-4 1-5 0-6

District 31-3A Standings xy-Raymondville x-Zapata x-Lyford Falfurrias San Diego

7-3 5-5 5-4 1-8 1-9

4-0 3-1 2-2 1-3 0-4

District 32-3A Standings xy-Rio Hondo x-Port Isabel x-Hidalgo La Feria Progreso

10-0 6-3 7-3 6-4 4-6

4-0 3-1 2-2 1-3 4-4

District 32-4A Standings xy-Edcouch-Elsa x-Mercedes x-Weslaco East Mission Veterans Mission HS Roma Valley View

9-1 6-4 4-6 4-5 3-7 1-9 1-9

6-0 4-2 3-3 3-3 3-3 1-5 1-5

District 30-5A Standings xy-Donna x-McAllen x-La Joya x-McAllen Nikki Rowe Sharyland Rio Grande City McAllen Memorial

8-2 7-3 4-6 5-5 5-5 5-5 1-9

6-0 5-1 3-3 3-3 2-4 2-4 0-6

District 31-5A Standings xy-Harlingen South x-PSJA x-Harlingen x-Edinburg North Edinburg Economedes PSJA North PSJA Memorial Edinburg

10-0 8-2 7-3 7-3 5-5 5-5 3-7 0-10

7-0 5-2 5-2 4-3 3-4 3-4 1-6 0-6

District 32-5A Standings xy-Los Fresnos x-Weslaco x-San Benito x-Brownsville Pace Brownsville Lopez Brownsville Porter Brownsville Hanna Brownsville Rivera

8-2 8-2 7-3 3-7 4-6 2-8 1-9 1-9

7-0 6-1 5-2 3-4 3-4 2-5 1-6 1-6

FINAL FOOTBALL STANDINGS-RIO GRANDE VALLEY

District 32-1A Standings xy-La Villa x-Bruni x-Ben Bolt Santa Maria Agua Dulce Benavides

XY-District Champion X-Clinch Playoff Berth

District 5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5

State 5A Division I Regional Championships

Coyotes, Rockets Rematch

(La Joya, Texas)-In Leonel Casas’s first season back on the sidelines as a head coach, he wasted no time leading the La Joya Coyotes to the State 5A Division I Regional finals. “This is a great feeling and we have endured a lot as a team this season,” said Casas. The La Joya Coyotes defeated the Laredo United Longhorns in the first round 37-0 and then disposed of PSJA 28-14 in the second round last week. “Our defense is finally playing hard-nose football. They have learned our system and our offense has done the same. We are peaking at the right time,” added Casas. The Coyotes forced eight turnovers in wet conditions against the Bears and then scored three times in the second half to seal their victory. The Coyotes (6-6) will now travel to the Laredo Student Activity Center this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in a rematch with the Converse Judson Rockets (8-4). The Rockets of District 26-5A defeated Austin Bowie (21-10) and SA Southwest (24-16) to reach the third round. The Coyotes played the Rockets in 2004 in La Joya in the same round, losing 43-14. “This could be different,” says Casas. The winner of this game will play the SA Reagan/Los Fresnos winner next week at a date and time to be determined. Both San Antonio Reagan and Converse Judson are teams from District 26-5A.

Austin Bowie

Converse Judson

Converse Judson SA Southwest

SA Clark Laredo United

Region IV Upper Bracket Class 5A Div I

La Joya

La Joya PSJA

La Joya

Brownsville Pace

PSJA

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2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Knocked out. La Joya Coyotes defensive back Eric Ochoa knocks the ball loose from PSJA Bear wide receiver Jon Cavazos. La Joya will face Converse Judson again in the Class 5A Division I Regional finals in Laredo this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (HSSMImages)

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Fumble or Touchdown? Cameron Gatling, RB of McAllen Rowe fumbled the ball prior to crossing the goal line. Game officials ruled it a touchdown for the Warriors. (HSSM IMages)

www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com

Class 5A Division II Playoffs

Harlingen South Advances to Regionals (McAllen,Tx)-After the controversial call in overtime, McAllen Nikki Rowe head coach Gary Lauer told HSSM, “I don’t know if I’ll be back at Rowe next year.” Much controversy has surrounded Lauer throughout the season with fans wanting him out as head coach. The game itself was surrounded with questionable calls officials made as the Harlingen South Hawks defeated McAllen Nikki Rowe 30-24 in the Class 5A Division II Area Championships. “He did not cross the goal line. He fumbled prior to crossing,” Alan Cherry told HSSM. In the second quarter, Manny Gatling crossed the goal, with the football loose. Officials ruled that he had possession prior to crossing

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Did Gatling Cross the Goal line with possession? The South Hawks protested this call in the first half but officials ruled that the running back had crossed the goal line first. This ruled it a touchdown. (HSSMImages)

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Overtime Interference?

www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com

Controversial Call. Game Officials. ruled that McAllen Nikki Rowe Warrior defensive back Ricky Soto interfered with Harlingen South’s WR Joey Reyna in the endzone in overtime. (HSSMImages) (Upper Bracket)

2007 State 5A Division II Region IV Brackets Bi District

Austin Smithson Valley SA East Central SA Taft Eagle Pass McAllen Rowe Harlingen South San Benito

Area

SValley East Central Rowe Hgn South Upper Bracket

Regionals

Smithson Valley

Winner plays Weslaco/SA Madison

Harlingen South

Region IV Qtrs Finals

and gave the score to the Warriors to make it 1714 Rowe with 1:10 left in the half. Gatling would score again on a 13-yard run with :42 seconds to send the Warriors up, 24-14 after the Hawks Mario Montes fumbled the ball. In the second half, Cherry decided to run the ball and that they did with Phillip Fruge doing most of the damage by scoring three touchdowns and rushing for 199 yards. In overtime, Fruge scored the winning touchdown after another controversial call went they Hawks way this time. “That call was not interference in the end zone,” said Lauer. On third and 10, Hawks quarterback Sean Messick found Joey Reyna open in the end zone but Ricky

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com

Was is it? Defensive back Ricky Soto of McAllen Nikki Rowe gets his hands up. (HSSMImages) Soto was flagged for defensive interference. This gave the Hawks first and ten at the 15 yard line in overtime. Fruge would score on the next play. Now the Hawks (12-0) will meet Spring Branch Smithson Valley this Friday in the Class 5A Division II Regional finals. Smithson Valley has earned a reputation of pounding on playoff teams like Austin (34-0) and San Antonio East Central (49-22) to advance to the same round. The Rangers (11-1) disposed of East Central with a powerful passing game led by quarterback David Pawelek (14-19-194 yds) and wideouts Will McLane, Dominic Hamilton, and Cody Renken. In 12 games, the Rangers have passed for 1,986 yards and 2,761 yards rushing. They average 365.0 yards per outing

Incomplete? Hawks WR Joey Reyna struggles to get the football on 3rd and 10 situation. (HSSMImages) on offense. Pawelek, like Messick has passed for 2, 065 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Trent Rios has led the Rangers on the ground with 1,428 yards. Cody Renken also has been the spark for the Rangers with 420 yards on the ground with seven tds. Renken will have to lead Smithson Valley now, since Rios went down last week to East Central with a leg injury. The winner of this game has drawn interest from Rio Grande Valley fans because if the South Hawks win and Weslaco win, both would face each other in the State 5A Quarterfinals next week to determine which team would play in the State semifinals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love our chances of playing next week. Smithson Valley is tough but so are the Hawks,â&#x20AC;? said Cherry.

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Hawks Leader. Sean Messick led his team in a come-frombehind win over McAllen Nikki Rowe. Harlingen South will SA Reagan at 7:00 p.m. at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi on November 30th in the State 5A Division II Regional Finals. (HSSMImages)

2007 Smithson Valley Overall Season Record 11-1

2007 Harlingen South Overall Season Record 12-0

District 26-5A at the Woodlands 37-25 at Spring 26-14 SA MacArthur 61-16 at SA Roosevelt 72-34 SA Madison 14-29 at Converse Wagner 49-9 SA Lee 49-6 SA Reagan 47-27 Converse Judson 31-17 SA Churchill 31-7 Class 5A Division II Playoffs Bi-District Austin 34-0 Area Championships SA East Central 49-22 Regional Semifinals vs Harlingen South

District 31-5A McAllen High 28-14 Brownsville Hanna 52-14 at McAllen Rowe 44-14 at Edinburg North 28-20 Harlingen 21-7 at Edinburg 54-10 PSJA North 30-7 at PSJA Memorial 41-35 OT Edinburg Economedes 42-14 at PSJA 34-20 Class 5A Division II Playoffs Bi-District San Benito 30-14 Area Championships McAllen Rowe 30-24 OT Regional Semifinals vs Smithson Valley

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Class 5A Division I Football Regional Finals

Los Fresnos to play San Antonio Reagan

(Los Fresnos, Texas)-The Los Fresnos Falcons are back in the third round of the State 5A Division I playoffs. Head coach Scott Ford is pleased with his team’s performance and he expected to advance this deep since the beginning of the 2007 season. “I knew that we had a talented team coming back and so far I am pleased,” adds Ford. The Falcons won back-to-back 32-5A championships by defeating the Weslaco Panthers 31-28 in their season finale at home to finish 7-0 in district. The Falcons are anchored on offense by linemen Mario Benavides (6’5 285 lbs) and Eloy Atkinson (6’5 290 lbs). The big play maker for the Falcons has been wide receiver Jorge Mata who caught two game winning touchdown passes in the Weslaco and Donna games. “He’s real talented and he knows where to run and he manages to find the holes on the field,” Falcon Victory. Charlie Rivas of Los Fresnos scores a touchdown in their win over Donna last weekend. The Falcons will meet SA Reagan in the Class 5A Regional finals in Division I. (HSSMImages)

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Class 5A Division I Football Regional Finals

adds Ford. Mata has 15 touchdowns passes to date and with Charlie Rivas, they add to the offensive package that nets over 350 yards a game in total offense. The Falcons trailed Donna 26-24 with less that 3:32 left to play in the game and then Mata took over. Quarterback Mark Carmona spotted Mata on a short inside pass and then Mata faked in and then went left to score from 24yards out for the win. The Falcons will now travel back to Victoria, where they played State 5A finalists, Austin Westlake in the the same round in 2006. The Falcons will have to stop a potent rushing game that has amassed 3,876 yards and after playing Weslaco, they know that will be primed to meet this quest. “We contained Mishak Rivas (State 5A leading rusher) and that helped us win in the second half,” says Ford. The Rattlers (10-2) feature Marcus Wright (301-2,925 rushing-40 tds), a running 5’7 165 lbs running back like Rivas, along with Derrick Walls (135-679 yds). Walls also runs the offense and can pass (48-83-6 tds) when he has too. Taylor Morris is the go to receiver for the Rattlers (24-474 yds). Reagan enters the third round, barely, after knocking of San Antonio O’Connor 35-28. Marcus Wright rushed for 340 yards to lead his Rattlers. Wright is currently on track to break Converse Judson’s Jerod Douglas’s rush- Ready to Run. Danny Mendez of Los Fresnos rushed ing mark of 2,967 yards this week against Los Frenos. for 185 yards and two scores in their win over Donna. (HSSMImages)

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Class 5A Division I Football Regional Finals (Upper Bracket)

2007 State 5A Division I Region IV Brackets Bi District

Austin Westlake SA Reagan CC Carroll SA O’Connor Laredo Nixon Donna Harlingen Los Fresnos

Area

Regionals

SA Reagan O’Connor Donna Los Fresnos

SA Reagan Winner plays La Joya/ Judson

Region IV Qtrs Finals

Los Fresnos

Lower Bracket

This season, Wrigt has had games of 267, 354, 331, 291, and 368 yards each and trails Weslaco’s Mishak Rivas (3,096) for the Texas State 5A rushing title. Hopefully, for the Falcons, that the road trip to Victoria will play an advantage for Ford and his team. “To back in the state playoffs this late in the season is great,” adds Ford. “We have to contain Wright,” he adds. The Falcons will surprise the Rattlers on the field if they are already looking past the third round. The Falcons showed that they can run the ball and excute the big plays on defense. “This could be a something special in the making and we will see what happens this weekend, added Ford. The Rio Grande Valley will be facing four teams from District 26-5A still left in the state playoffs. They are SA Madison (11-1), Smithson Valley (11-1), Converse Judson (8-4), and SA Reagan. Only Weslaco and Los Fresnos are still in the playoffs from District 32-5A; Winning Catch! Jorge Mata catches the winning while Harlingen South (31-5A) and La Joya (30-5A) touchdown in Los Fresnos win over the Weslaco Panthers earlier this season. They will now play SA remain as the other two teams facing 26-5A teams. Reagan in the Class 5A Division I playoffs. (HSSM IMages)

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Class 5A Division I Football Area Finals

PSJA Ends Season Head Coach Praises Bears for Efforts This Season (La Joya, Texas)-“We have to avoid turnovers and hold on to the ball,” PSJA head coach Mel Rios told HSSM prior to kickoff. The PSJA Bears (9-3) ended the day with eight turnovers to end their season with a 28-14 loss to La Joya in the Class 5A Division I Area playoffs. “I am proud of our team and the way we executed all year long,” said Rios. The Bears showed signs of making it to the next round as they led at the half 14-7. Running back Justin Villanueva scored the Bear’s first touchdown from 11-yards out to put the Bears up 7-0 after Roel Flores kicked the extra point with 9:39 left in the first period. Bear’s Angel Marroquin would give the Bears a 14-7 lead at the half when he would score on a one yard run with :30 left to play in the half. “The Bear’s are warriors and we fought,” added Rios.

Season Over. PSJA teammates Justin Villanueva and Anthony Carrizales share their game loss against La Joya. (HSSM IMages)

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Class 5A Division I Football Area Finals

Donna Claims BiDistrict Title over Laredo Nixon (Donna, Texas)-Running back Eric Pena took the hand off from Donna quarterback Derrick Ramirez and swept to the left, avoided two tackles, and then found daylight as he would score the winning touchdown from 31 yards out to send the 1961 State 2A Championships to the second round of the State 5A Division I playoffs. The win 28-21 over Laredo Nixon (5-6) capped a season of no expectations from District 30-5A but first year head coach Manny Moreno took this win with a lot of praise. “I thank God for this season and the players he has surrounded me with. We have brought the pride back to Donna,” said Moreno. The Redskins (9-2) ended the Mustang’s bid for an upset when the Redskins stripped the ball at mid-field from Nixon quarterback Chris Cazares (34of-50 for 334 yards, 1 td, 1 int) to stop the drive.

Great Catch. Laredo Nixon ended their season losing to Donna in the Class 5A Division I BiDistrict round. (HSSM IMages)

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Speaking Out

David R. Smith, HSSM Columnists

Third Season. Their fans just seem to expect them to always be there. Every year, there are some “Cinderella Teams” who may not have had continual successful seasons, but have found a way to earn their way to the Third Season. It is a “The Third Season” most rewarding experience and teams like the 2007 Santa Rosa November and State Playoff Warriors who have turned things Football! Finally, there is around in one year, are proudly a bit of coolness in the air enjoying this new experience. which energizes everyone, and especially the high school As the Third Season progresses; football fans of the Playoff and with each win, the fan Teams. On the practice fields base grows. Fierce district the players and coaches will rival team fans sometimes will move just a bit quicker and become the winning team’s best there is renewed excitement fans; traveling to see the team throughout the school. Texas that may have defeated them in High School Football is always district. These fans truly respect a great bargain for the price of the accomplishments of their admission, but the playoffs are district foes. the quintessential reward for loyal fans. Many rival coaches, whose teams are not in the playoffs, Many coaches will divide the enjoy going to games where football year in to three seasons: they can become fans and get the pre season scrimmages and to watch the game, calmly from early non district games are the stands instead of being “in “Season One”, District Play is the fray on the field.” If you go “Season Two”, and the ultimate to these playoff games, you can season is The Third Season, the see these coaches and recognize playoffs. them, because you can easily spot them. Schools like Port Isabel, Edcouch Elsa, Los Fresnos, They are the ones who seem Harlingen High, Harlingen awkward about being a fan. South and others have a long These old coaches just don’t legacy of participation in the know how to relax and enjoy a 30

great game; they are too used to being on the sidelines. It is almost comical to watch them try to be an ordinary fan. They often have trouble sitting in the stands. They can be found wandering around the sideline and end zone areas, standing, shifting their weight, hands going in and out of their pockets, talking to other cohorts, leaning on the fences which keep them from the field, and perhaps nervously working on a bag of popcorn or peanuts. For all you loyal fans, during the next playoff game, I encourage you to take notice of those who have joined your ranks. For those who enjoy hunting, take your binoculars and try spotting one of these Old Coaches in the crowd, or if you are a bird watcher, try finding one of the “new birds”, the first time fans. It will be an enjoyable aside to all the great pageantry of Texas High School Football Playoffs. Enjoy the Playoffs. It just doesn’t get any better than this! See you at the game. You will probably find me wandering around the end zone and sideline area, leaning on a fence, talking to an old cohort, shifting my weight, working on a bag of popcorn, awkwardly trying to be a fan. Good luck to all teams...

Class 2A Division I Football Quarterfinals

Pushing His Way is Santa Rosa running back Sam Salazar. (HSSM Images)

Santa Rosa, Salado to Meet in Quarterfinals

(Santa Rosa)-The Santa Rosa Warriors did the unthinkable: beat Universal City-Randolph 26-6 to advance to the State 2A Division I Quarterfinals for the first time school history. The Warriors (11-1) will now meet Salado, a team that has not made it past the first round of the state playoffs twice in the past two seasons. Both teams will meet at Victoria Memorial Stadium this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The Warriors defense made an early statement when Nun Garcia returned a fumble 10-yards for a touchdown in the opening period to put his team up 6-0 af2007 State 2A Division I ter extra point attempt was missed at 11:47 left to play Region IV Brackets in the first period. Universal City would regroup and Salado Aaron Apllewhite would score from one yard out with Salado 1:25 remaining in the first quarter. The extra point atHempstead Salado tempt would sail right. Both teams were notted at 6-6. Hitchcock Then the Warriors took over with Sam Salazar rushHitchcock Region IV Edna ing for two touchdowns and quarterback Bubby Garza Champion winner advances Universal City ending the night with a 42-yard run late in the third to state semifinals Universal quarter. With slippery conditions, Universal City-RanCotulla Santa Rosa dolph Ro-Hawks (11-1) committed five turnovers and George West the Warriors would captialize on the opportunities. Santa Rosa Santa Rosa The Ro-Hawks entered the game boasting one of San Bi District

Regional

Quarterfinals

Antonioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best running backs, Aaron Applewhite, who

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Class 2A Division I Football Quarterfinals

Cinderella Season! The Santa Rosa Warriors will play Salado in the Class 2A Division I Quarterfinals this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at Victoria Memorial Stadium. (HSSM IMages) had rushed for 1,945 yards and scored 27 touchdowns throughout the season. He was held to 48 yards rushing and one score. “This is the best win of my career,” said a jubliant head coach Joshua Gonzales of Santa Rosa. The Warrior head coach took over a Warrior program that had struggled the past two seasons. The Warriors will now play Salado, who defeated Hitchcock 49-0 in the Class 2A Division Quarterfinals.

“Making it to the state quarterfinals is a dream come true for our team and this community,” adds Gonzales. The Warriors boast one of the best defense in the state, allowing less that 200 yards per game. Against the highly touted Ro-Hawks, the Warriors held them to a total of 140 yards on offense just nine yards passing. “This community is proud and alive,” added the first-year head coach at Santa Rosa.

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

University Interscholastic League-State Champions 1995-2006 1995 5A Division I - Converse Judson 31, Odessa Permian 28 5A Division II - San Antonio Roosevelt 17, Flower Mound Marcus (Lewisville) 10 4A - La Marque 31, Denison 8 3A - Sealy 21, Commerce 20 2A - Celina 32, Alto 28 1A - Thorndale 14, Roscoe 7 6-Man - Amherst 78, Milford 42

3A Division II - Commerce 17, Sealy 10 2A Division I - Mart 40, Boyd 7 2A Division II - Celina 38, Elysian Fields 7 1A - Bartlett 35, Aspermont 6 6-Man - Gordon 54, Groom 34

1996 5A Division I - Lewisville 58, Converse Judson 34 5A Division II - Westlake (Austin) 55, Abilene Cooper 15 4A Division I - Grapevine 34, Hays Consolidated 19 4A Division II - La Marque 34, Denison 3 3A - Sealy 36, Tatum 27 2A - Iraan 14, Groveton 7 1A - Windthorst 41, Tenaha 12 6-Man - Gordon 51, Whitharral 50 1997 5A Division I - Katy 24, Longview 3 5A Division II - Flower Mound Marcus (Lewisville) 59, Alief Hastings 20 4A Division I - Texas City 37, Corsicana 34 4A Division II - La Marque 17, Denison 0 3A - Sealy 28, Commerce 21 2A - Stanton 33, Rogers 7 1A - Granger 40, Wheeler 0 6-Man - Borden County 48, Panther Creek 16 1998 5A Division I - Duncanville 24, Converse Judson 21 5A Division II - Midland Lee 54, San Antonio MacArthur 0 4A Division I - Grapevine 22, Bay City 0 4A Division II - Stephenville 34, La Marque 7 3A Division I - Aledo 14, Cuero 7 3A Division II - Newton 21, Daingerfield 0 2A Division I - Omaha Paul Pewitt 28, Brookshire-Royal 26 2A Division II - Celina 21, Elysian Fields 0 1A - Tenaha 20, Wheeler 13 6-Man - Trinidad 62, Borden County 16 1999 5A Division I - Midland Lee 42, Aldine Eisenhower 21 5A Division II - Garland 37, Katy 25 4A Division I - Texas City 27, Hereford 14 4A Division II - Stephenville 28, Port NechesGroves 18 3A Division I - Liberty Eylau 49, Mathis 6

2000 5A Division I - Midland Lee 33, Westlake (Austin) 21 5A Division II - Katy 35, Tyler John Tyler 20 4A Division I - Bay City 24, Denton Ryan 2 4A Division II - Ennis 38, West Orange-Stark 24 3A Division I - Gatesville 14, Wylie (Abilene) 10 3A Division II - La Grange 20, Forney 17 2A Division I - Sonora 27, Blanco 24 2A Division II - Celina 21, Mart 17 1A - Stratford 49, Burkeville 14 6-Man - Panther Creek 42, Highland 36 2001 5A Division I - Mesquite 14, San Antonio Taft 13 5A Division II - Lufkin 38, Westlake (Austin) 24 4A Division I - Denton Ryan 42, Smithson Valley 35 - OT 4A Division II - Ennis 21, Bay City 0 3A Division I - Everman 25, Sinton 14 3A Division II - Commerce 14, La Grange 11 2A Division I - Blanco 16, Van Alstyne 0 2A Division II - Celina 41, Garrison 35 1A - Burkeville 27, Celeste 8 6-Man - Whitharral 27, Richland Springs 20 2002 5A Division I - Converse Judson 33, Midland 32 5A Division II - Southlake Carroll 45, Smithson Valley 14 4A Division I - Texarkana 42, New Braunfels 11 4A Division II - Denton Ryan 38, Brenham 8 3A Division I - Everman 35, Burnet 14 3A Division II - Bandera 27, Greenwood 24 - OT(2) 2A Division I - Corrigan-Camden 33, Bangs 14 2A Division II - Rosebud-Lott 34, Cisco 0 1A - Petrolia 39, Celeste 18 6-Man - Calvert 51, Sanderson 46 2003 5A Division I - Galena Pk North Shore 23, Conroe The Woodlands 7 5A Division II - Katy 16, Southlake Carroll 15 4A Division I - North Crowley 20, Bay City 6

4A Division II - La Marque 43, Denton Ryan 35 - OT(3) 3A Division I - Gainesville 35, Burnet 24 3A Division II - Atlanta 34, Marlin 0 2A Division I - San Augustine 28, Tuscola Jim Ned 7 2A Division II - Garrison 27, Bangs 0 1A - Windthorst 28, Shiner 27 6-Man - Strawn 67, Fort Davis 62 2004 5A Division I - Tyler Lee 28, Spring Westfield 21 5A Division II - Southlake Carroll 27, Smithson Valley 24 4A Division I - Ennis 23, Marshall 21 4A Division II - Kilgore 33, Dallas Lincoln 27 - OT(2) 3A Division I - Wylie (Abilene) 17, Cuero 14 3A Division II - Gilmer 49, Jasper 47 2A Division I - Boyd 17, Newton 14 2A Division II - Crawford 28, Troup 14 1A - Shiner 33, Stratford 19 6-Man - Richland Springs 58, Turkey Valley 38 2005 5A Division I - Euless Trinity 28, Converse Judson 14 5A Division II - Southlake Carroll 34, Katy 20 4A Division I - Highland Park (Dallas) 59, Marshall 0 4A Division II - Lewisville Hebron 28, Calallen (Corpus Christi) 0 3A Division I - Wimberley 21, Gainesville 7 3A Division II - Tatum 38, Hutto 34 2A Division I - Newton 28, Argyle 20 2A Division II - Celina 28, Omaha Paul Pewitt 12 1A - Stratford 21, Big Sandy 20 6-Man - Throckmorton 68, Turkey Valley 22 2006 5A Division I - Southlake Carroll 43, Austin Westlake 29 5A Division II - Cedar Hill 51, Cypress Falls 17 4A Division I - San Antonio Alamo Heights 40, Copperas Cove 28 4A Division II - La Marque 34, Waco 14 3A Division I - Texarkana Liberty-Eylau 35, Robinson 34 3A Division II - Liberty Hill 22, Celina 19 2A Division I - Tatum 32, Littlefield 14 2A Division II - Mart 23, Cisco 13 1A Division I - Alto 42, McCamey 13 1A Division II - Chilton 20, Windthorst 10 6-Man Div. I - Richland Springs 78, Rule 58 6-Man Div. II - Vernon Northside 60, Jayton 41

Safety Central

2007 HSSM Football Playoffs Issue

Suite E

OnTheSideLines

For more on Teen Driving and Alcohol: www.healthallianceonalcohol.com

A Thanksgiving Black Friday

hile most shoppers called this the biggest shopping day after Thanksgiving, I was at the WeslacoMcAllen football game. That night was cold and rain was like sleet, pouring down. Luckily for myself, I wore the perfect rain suit and stayed warm. The game ended with Weslaco defeating McAllen 40-38 and I remember telling my son, “thanks for being with me today.” It was about 10:30 p.m. that Friday night. At about the same time, the screaming sounds of paramedics and police cars rushed to the scene of a horrific car crash in Pharr. No one would ever imagine, that life could end so quickly. Three teenagers had crashed their one car into a telephone pole, snapping the pole in two pieces. The car itself, was unidentifieable from its original state. Head coach Orlando Garcia of PSJA North said it best, “when you let your players leave for the holidays, you expect to get them back.” In this incident, one PSJA North teen would not come back, ever again.

b y D a v i d A. A m a d o r

“I remember driving home and seeing red lights, flashing as I took the turn towards Edinburg...” That night, as coaches, players, and parents rushed to the hospital with their prayers, I remembered driving home

and seeing red lights, flashing as I took the turn towards Edinburg, on Hwy 281 from Expressway 83 in Pharr. I also thought about what a long day me and my son experienced that Friday. We had gone to the La Joya-PSJA game at 11:30 a.m. and then left for the Weslaco-McHi game afterwards. It was still raining and cold, and above all, slick. I kept prasing my son for the great work he had done with me. He is only 15 years old. What prompted this accident? According to police reports, the PSJA North football player 17, lost control at a high rate speed of about 100 mph and crashed. Now, police are indicating that “Alcohol” could have been the reason and cause of this accident. His teammate, a 15-year old boy, was killed. If this is true, only reports will show and police will be ready to charge this 17-year old with DWI and Manslaughter Charges. A charge that will carry a prison term of three years or more. According to an article on Teen Driving and Alcohol at www.healthallianceonalcohol.com, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among young people 1524 years of age. Alcohol is implicated as the majority cause of these deaths. I went to my archives of past HSSM Magazine’s and took out the recent 2007 Volume 3 Issue 2 edition and stared at the 17-year old player who graced our cover from PSJA North. For every PSJA North student and fan, this was their “Black Friday.”

2007 HSSM November Playoff Issue