High School Sports Magazine-Oct 2008 Issue by David Amador

MARIO PENA: CAN HE BRING HOME A TITLE? Volume 4 Issue No. 7

> DISTRICT STANDINGS 32-1A 32-2A 32-4A 30-5A 32-5A 31-5A

Has Edcouch-Elsa become a State 4A Power? Ed-Elsa

QB ERIK NINO

> ONE ON ONE

Weslaco Golfer Talks about Diabetes Struggle

> It’s OurTime McAllen Chamber leads group to petition UIL Region IV Meets

> They Said It Coaches Love This Game and Coverage

Edinburg

McAllen

WR MANNY MENCHACA

QB ADRIAN LEAL

TOTAL DOMINANCE!

McAllen and Edinburg Bringing Back More Wins...

HSSM

TOP 10

1. EDCOUCH-ELSA 2. HARLINGEN 3. MCALLEN 4. LOS FRESNOS 5. SAN BENITO 6. DONNA 7. WESLACO EAST 8. BRO PACE 9. WESLACO 10. MCALLEN MEMORIAL

2008 RGV H.S. FOOTBALL PROSPECTS at www.hssmscout.com

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

It’s all about passion T

he head football endure. These qualities coach is the one are so much more imporperson that can tant than the events that can gather his occur.” This is what made players before Lombardi such an inspiand after a football game rational speaker and great and for just one moment, motivator. I have heard his words of wisdom, engreat speeches from many couragement, or even hurt high school coaches as the will begin to speak from years have passed on but his heart to his players. there has never been one His players eyes are filled speech from any coach BY with every thought that they are that I can actually say “I heard feeling from this one moment. this one before”. Coaches The players will either love him are passionate about or hate him. But these are the HSSM PUBLISHER what they say to their playtrue moments that make up a complete ers and to many players, they take these football team. words at heart. That’s why we call this Former Green Bay head football game football. It’s all about the team. coach Vince Lombardi was loved by Former Mission High School footmillions, but too some, he was the ball star and Dallas Cowboys head most hated and grusome person; but football coach Tom Landry said it his quotes to his players were inspirbest:“Football is an incredible game. ing. “The spirit, the will to win, and Sometimes it’s so incredible, it’s unbethe will to excel are the things that lieveable.”

DAVID AMADOR

Publisher & CEO David A. Amador HSSM Sales Manager Brent Waters Alec D. Amador HSSM Photographers Daniel Silva HSSM Webmaster

....................................................

Jason O. Martinez B.B.A., C.P.T. David R. Smith HSSM Columnists Emails hssmonline@yahoo.com Web www.highschoolsportsmagazine.net Buy Sports Photos www.hssmphotos.com

956.929.4700 Office 956-971-0185 Fx High School Sports Magazine 2416 Frontera Road McAllen, Texas 78504 Member of the

National Association of Hispanic Journalists 2008 Member of the Texas Sports Writers Association 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 13 issues annually beginning in August and ending in July.

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PRINTED IN U.S.A. 4 > If you have a comment for David A. Amador, send it to hssmonline@yahoo.com

Contents www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com

September 30, 2008

VOLUME 4

ISSUE NO.7

INSIDE RGV SPORTS

Bobcats End Losing Streak

By David A. Amador

After an 18-game losing skid, Edinburg is back!

12 It’s Our Time

McAllen Chamber of Commerce leads group to petition UIL for Region IV Meets.

18 It’s GameDay. A New State 4A Power? presented by State Farm

New No.1 Team Takes over polls with huge wins.

31 RGV Golfers Kickoff Season

Harlingen South, Sharyland, Edinburg teams to beat in 30-5A, 31-5A, 32-5A. Robledo wins first tourney.

35 One On One

Bad Call! Donna head football coach Manny Moreno reacts to a sideline official’s call in their loss to McAllen in overtime 31-24 last week.

INTERVIEW

with Kalen Vos of Weslaco

32-5A MVP golfer talks about his battle with TYPE 1 Diabetes. Now he’s back and talks to HSSM.

(HSSM IMages) Member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

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Edinburg

LosingBobcats Take Down Weslaco 24-20 S t o r y b y D a v i d A. A m a d o r, HSSM Sports Director

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

-Streak Over! HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

For more sports go to www.hssmonline.net

(Edinburg, Texas)- The Edinburg Bobcat’s losing streak is now history. Head coach Joey Caceres was showered with water as time expired jumping with joy after coaching his Bobcats to a huge upset win over previously ranked No.1 Weslaco 24-20 in

non-district action. The win ends Edinburg’s 18-game losing streak, which dated back to a 31-6 loss to Edinburg Economedes on October 6, 2006. “It’s been a long time since we have seen a win and tonight we ended this monkey being on our back.

No, I mean this Gorilla on our backs,” said Caceres. Edinburg (2-3, 1-2) scored first on a 53-yard pass from quarterback Issac Escobar to WR Manny Menchaca, putting the Bobcats at the Weslaco 19-yard line with 9:59 remaining in the first quarter. Escobar then found WR Steve Trevino for its first score of the night. The PAT was good for a 7-0 Bobcat lead. “Our coach

deserves this win,” said an emotional Escobar. Weslaco (3-3, 1-2) had trouble stopping a fiery Bobcat defense in the fourth quarter as the Panthers trailed 17-14, after Jaime Juarez hit a 31-yard field goal with 11:56 left in the final quarter. Caceres

wasted no time as he called the same play, another long pass from Escobar to Menchaca, this time, a 57-yard touchdown pass

to make it 24-20. Since then, the Bobcats have lost back-to-back games in District 31-5A play to Harlingen (55-14) and PSJA (19-16) to begin another...losing streak. The Bobcats will play Edinburg Economedes this week with playoff implications on hand and hopefully, Caceres will end this second losing-streak this Friday night at Cats Stadium.

Losing Streak Over-The Edinburg Bobcats WR Manny Menchaca leads team to winning score, 24-20 over Weslaco to snap its 18-game losing streak in non-district action. (HSSM IMages) 10

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

New Era Begins-The newest 32-4A team, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln High School Huskies played its first rival game against new 30-5A La Joya Palmview Lobos . Pictured is Huskies RB Jose Bocanegra. (HSSM IMages) > If you have a comment for David A. Amador, send it to hssmonline@yahoo.com

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Our

Valley Leaders Making Move to Host Regi

Proposal to be presented at UIL Convention this week 12

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

Best of the Best in 2008-The McAllen Lady Bulldogs advanced to the Region IV Basketball Tournament to play San Antonio Wagner. Returning in 2009 will be State 5A Shot put Champion Stephen Saenz of Rio Grande City; State 5A Tennis finalist Sharyland Nathal Alhalel and State 5A Golf Finalist Abraham Ancer, also from Sharyland. All state qualifiers competed at regional meets in San Antonio, Texas before advancing to state. Wagner advanced to the state tournament. (HSSM IMages)

r Time!

ion IV Meets

S t o r y b y D a v i d A. A m a d o r, HSSM Sports Director

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

(McAllen, Tx)-The quest has begun. Rio Grande Valley leaders, along w

Chamber of Commerce will petition the University of Interscholastic L

consider rotating the Region IV meets in basketball, volleyball, track a and golf. Will this new alliance make a difference? McAllen Chamber

Steve Ahlenius says that this new alliance will make a difference in cha

bring the Region IV Meets to South Texas. “It just makes sense and rig

do it,” adds Ahlenius. “With the rising costs of hotel rates and fuel pric

the Rio Grande Valley should absorb this expenditure by traveling to S

the past, the Rio Grande Valley has tried proposing this same plan to th to Ahlenius, it lacked support. He now adds that all Rio Grande Valley

their quest to bring the Region IV meets to South Texas. “We are comm

UIL Region IV Meets in both sports and academics. The timing to do t

VIEW

THECoache’s Question: Should all Region IV Playoff Games and Tournaments rotate locations between San Antonio and the RGV?

“

Heck yes. We are at a big disadvantage. They (SA players) sleep in their own beds and our players sleep in hotels. The change is coming... Leonel Casas La Joya Athletic Coordinator

Absolutely. San Antonio has had this advantage for years. Money is a factor. Holding regional track meets in the RGV would be huge. Bruce Bush, PSJA North Athletic Coordinator

“

. We took big budget cuts this year because of the fuel increases. It’s only fair that these (SA) teams travel like we do. Manny Gomez Harlingen Athletic Coordinator

“

In the playoffs, these teams like neutral sites. They don’t like coming to the Valley. So yes, this would be good to rotate. Joe Solis, Edcouch-Elsa AD

Get more of THECoaches’ VIEW at www.HSS

For more information go to www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics

with the McAllen

League (UIL) to

and field, soccer, tennis, president and CEO

allenging the UIL to

ght now is the time to

ces, I don’t think that

San Antonio, Texas.” In

he UIL but according schools have made

mitted to bringing the

this is now,” added

Region IV Basketball Playoffs at Dodge Arena? The Harlingen South Lady Hawks advanced to the State 5A Region IV Tournament in 2008 at the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio. Valley leaders are challenging the UIL to rotate regional playoff sites. Bianca Torre of South is pictured against San Antonio Madison in the Region IV Basketball semifinals. (HSSM IMages)

SMCOACH.com

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HSSMFANS

They Said It

Ahlenius. Many school officials, along with

Ahlenius will travel to Austin on October 19

& 20 to make their proposal official at the 68th annual meeting of the Legislative Council of the University Interscholastic League to be

held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel to suggest all

www.texashighschoolsportsmagazine.com

regional sports and academic tournaments to be

Thank-you

and the Rio Grande Valley. Last year, the

This is my first year as head at our new high school and we appreciate the coverage you give us Touchdown Dave. Go Huskies! Our doors are always open to HSSM. Aaron Garcia, La Joya, Texas La Joya Juarez-Lincoln HS head football coach

set up on a rotating basis between San Antonio

Sharyland girl’s golf team advanced to the State 5A tournament, with senior Alejandra Cantu

winning the Class 5A Region IV title along with Abraham Ancer qualifying for state from the

Pecan Valley Golf Course in San Antonio. Since 1996, Region IV golf teams Austin Westlake

and Churchill have combined to produce eight state champions in individual boys and girls

and a combine 30 teams from the San AntonioAustin area have advanced to the state meet 30

times from Region IV. The girl’s team from San Antonio Churchill won a precedent five state

titles from 1995-99. Only Sharyland has made the trip twice in boys (2006) and girls teams (2008).

Good Job!

Thank-you for supporting our schools with your coverage. I like the stories and great photos. Keep up the good job! Joe Filoteo, Edinburg, Texas Edinburg CISD Athletic Director

Thanks TDDAVE You guys know sports. Your magazine is very informative and reaches all sports in the Rio Grande Valley. We like your pre-season picks too. Mel Rios, Pharr, Texas Pharr HS head football coach

Brownsville Lopez says “Thanks” Thank-you for the years of coverage you give our programs here at Brownsville Lopez HS. This is a great magazine for the Rio Grande Valley. Valentin Montemayor, Brownsville, Texas Brownsville Lopez HS head football coach

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

Top Stadiums in the Rio Grande Valley McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium 14-15,000 capacity; La Joya Stadium 14,000 capacity; Sams Stadium 10,000 capacity; Weslaco Bobby Lackey Field 13,000 capacity (with New Renovations); Top Golf Courses in the Rio Grande Valley Palmview GC, McAllen; South Padre Island GC; Treasure Hills in Harlingen; Rancho Viejo in Brownsville; and Club at Cimmaron in Mission. Top Indoor Facilities for Basketball, Swimming, Volleyball: Dodge Arena (Home of the NBA-D League Vipers 6,000 plus capacity); University of Texas/Pan American Gym; and the McAllen Convention Center. Brownsvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center already hosts the swimming regional meet; Weslacoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Aquatic Center (Due completion in 2009).

2010 Possible Region IV Track and Field Site? McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium capacity is more than 15,000. The UIL will vote on whether to bring these regional events to South Texas. (HSSM IMages)

www.hssmpolls.com Five-Time Champs! QB Erik Nino of the Edcouch-Elsa HS setting sights on State 4A title. (HSSM IMages)

A New 4A HSSM Top Ten Polls

State Pow Despite economic hardships from this community, state-ranked Edcouch-Elsa still rich in tradition 18

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

2008 The Rankings

Gameday

DISTRICT BY DISTRICT STANDINGS

Standings

wer? By Touchdown Dave

HSSM Sports Director

District 32-1A 1. Bruni 5-0, 2-0 2. Santa Maria 5-0, 1-0 3. La Villa 2-3, 1-0 4. Benavides 2-4, 1-1 5. Ben Bolt 2-4, 1-1 6. Agua Dulce 0-4, 0-2 7. Kingsville Aca 0-5, 0-2 District 32-2A 1. San Diego 4-1 2. Bishop 3-1 3. Hebbronville 3-1 4. Riviera 3-1 5. Premont 2-2 6. Santa Rosa 2-3 District 32-3A 1. Zapata 5-0, 2-0 2. Hidalgo 4-1, 2-0 3. Raymondville 4-1, 2-0 4. Lyford 3-2, 1-1 5. Rio Hondo 3-2, 1-1 6. Progreso 3-2, 0-2 7. La Feria 1-4, 0-2 8. Port Isabel 1-4, 0-2 District 32-4A 1. Ed-Elsa 5-0, 2-0 2. Mercedes 3-2, 2-0 3. Weslaco East 4-1, 1-1 4. Juarez-Lincoln 2-3, 1-1 5. Mission Vets 2-3, 1-1 6. Mission High 1-4, 1-1 7. Roma 0-5, 0-2 8. Valley View 0-5, 0-2

District 30-5A 1. Donna 4-0, 2-0 2. McAllen 4-1, 2-0 3. McAllen Memorial 2-2, 2-0 4. Sharyland 4-1, 1-1 5. La Joya 2-3, 1-1 6. Rio Grande City 1-4, 0-2 7. McAllen Rowe 3-2, 0-2 8. LJ Palmview 0-5, 0-2 District 31-5A 1. Harlingen 4-1, 2-0 2. PSJA North 3-2, 2-0 3. Edinburg North 3-2, 1-1 4. Economedes 2-3, 1-1 5. Edinburg 2-3, 1-1 6. PSJA 1-4, 1-1 7. PSJA Memorial 3-2, 0-2 8. Harlingen South 1-4, 0-2 District 32-5A 1. Los Fresnos 5-0, 2-0 2. Bro Pace 4-2, 2-0 3. San Benito 4-1, 2-0 4. Bro Porter 3-2, 1-1 5. Bro Rivera 1-4, 1-1 6. Weslaco 2-3, 0-2 7. Bro Lopez 1-4, 0-2 8. Bro Hanna 0-5, 0-2

HSSM Scouting report compiled by David “Touchdown Dave” Amador, HSSM Sports Director

A New 4A State Power: Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets ranked 10th in polls. Education Important. Are the Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets on the verge of becoming a State 4A football power? Could this be the season for winning a State 4A Championship? This little town located in the Delta Lake area of the Rio Grande Valley with a population of less than 7,000 combined between the cities of Edcouch and Elsa holds the key to keeping this migrant town alive and becoming a state power in football. “This is what these kids grow up wanting to become. These kids want to wear the yellowjacket football uniform,” says head coach Joe Solis. Economic hardships has taken a toll on this community. The two biggest employers are H.E.B. Food Stores and the Edcouch-Elsa School District. The rest are just independent owners surviving on the wealth of food stamps and medicare/medicaid revenues from its Yellowjacket residents. What’s even worst, the Edcouch-Elsa school district was hampered by a financial crunch. According to records, the Yellowjackets are low in school funds and over budgeted due to the sudden “fuel increases” which sent the monies spiraling down. Like the school district, the city of Elsa had trouble with collecting even water bill payments from its residents. And next door, the city of Edcouch had its woes of trying to pay its city employees due to insufficient funds in the city accounts. Regardless of what problems might plagued this town, football remains as the prime source of keeping these problems away from the fields so that these Yellowjacket fans can enjoy these precious moments of winning. “Our football programs have won district titles all the way down to the junior levels. We won them all in 2007,” says Solis. Solis understands that his players struggle off the field. As a head coach, Solis encourages his team to remain focused in the classroom so that they can get an education and become successful. Edcouch-Elsa high school principal Jose Luis De Leon understands this too. He was a football player for the Yel-

Great Return! Felix Garcia returns a ball on defense. (HSSM IMages)

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

lowjackets from the 1990-1992 seasons as fullback. He rushed for 1,743 yards in his senior season. He was also named the school valedictorian. “My head football coach Robert Vela and his staff always encouraged us to stay focused and always said not to give up no matter what,” says De Leon. As a teenager growing up in Elsa, De Leon points out that they were migrant workers each year. “My Dad was a salesman and my mother was a housewife. They would always instill in me to be successful,” adds De Leon. Since then, De Leon went on to graduate from MIT, earning scholarships and financial aid to make this happen in 1997. After three years in the banking industry he came back home. “Our family lives here. This is our comfort zone,” says De Leon. “We are Yellowjackets.” As the Edcouch-Elsa Yel-

lowjackets prepare for this week’s game against Mission Veterans, players like QB Erik Nino and TE Artie Tanguma are already getting looked at by Division I Colleges. “A good number of these football players go to college. We believe that this is important here at Edcouch-Elsa High School,” added De Leon.

The Yellowjackets enter this week as the 10th ranked team in Class 4A. And they have earned this ranking too. “These kids grow up dreaming of becoming Yellowjackets. It takes years of practice to compete at the next level. This community knows this too. We have this support here,” says Solis.

Which 4th place team will meet the Yellowjackets? District 31-4A Alice Flour Bluff Tuloso-Midway Laredo Cigarroa Calallen Laredo Nixon Kingsville King Laredo Johnson

5-0, 2-0 5-0, 2-0 4-1, 1-1 3-2, 1-1 2-3, 1-1 1-4, 1-1 1-4, 0-2 0-4, 0-2

Enrollment

1,468 1,824 1,023 1,629 1,217 2,024 1,189 2,081

www.hssmpolls.com

HSSM TOP TEN

2Harlingen

Cardinal Facts: This is Manny Gomez’s first head coaching job in football at the varsity level. He also graduated from Harlingen H.S.

H.S.

Conference: 31-5A Head Coach: Manny Gomez 2008 Record: 5-1, 3-0

(Harlingen, Tx)-He talks about the barrios while growing up in Harlingen and how he had to be tough just to survive, maybe that’s what made Manny Gomez probably one of the best linebackers ever to play this game in South Texas. Now, he leads a Harlingen Cardinal team only in his secondyear as a head coach atop the 31-5A standings at 5-1, 3-0. The Cards took care of business when they played Edinburg North (44-21) in their district opener. QB John Murphy (78-135-2, 872 yards 12 tds) put the Cardinals atop 7-0 with a touchdown pass to Leo Gonzalez from 5-yards out. Murphy completed 22-of35 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Against

QB John Murphy the Edinburg Bobcats at Cats Stadium, again the Harlingen passing offense took off, flying with Murphy connecting with Gonzalez from 15yards for a score to make it 7-0 with 9:44 left in the first quarter. Instead of passing, Gomez changed his game plan and went to running the ball after Gonzalez caught

Players of the Week 22

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

HSSM IMages

another TD from 20-yards out with 4:09 left in the first. The result? Six different runners combining for 272 yards on 31 carries and three scores. As long as the Cardinals can continue shutting down opponents like the Bobcats (54-14), a 31-5A title could be waiting for Gomez and

his Cards on Nov. 7th when they play Harlingen South at Boggus in their annual Bird Bowl. The Cardinals will play PSJA this week and then meet Edinburg Economedes on October 24th followed by a key game with PSJA North on October 31st at home. “Every game is played one at a time. We look for perfection. It has to be perfect in practice,” says Gomez. Harlingen ranks second in 31-5A on offense with 330 yards a game and like PSJA North, both teams have held their opponents to less than 230 yards. The biggest game of the year will take place on Halloween Night at Boggus Stadium so beware of spooks, goblins, and freaky plays.

Week O QB John Murphy completed 12of-14 passes for 142 yards and one score. He also rushed for 60 yards with one Td as Harlingen defeated McAllen 24-17.

Week Two RB Jose Bocanegra of La Joya Juarez-Lincoln H.S. rushed for 166 yards and three scores to lead the Huskies over LJ Palmview 42-20. It was the school’s first match up.

Week One RB Michael Blackmon scored on runs of 86 yds and 34 yds on three carries to lead the Weslaco Panthers over Harlingen South 32-0. He also caught one pass for 18 yds.

Week Three RB Patrick Granchelli rushed for 198 yards and 2 TDs on 24 carries to lead the McAllen Memorial Mustangs to its first win of the season over PSJA 17-15.

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HSSM TOP TEN

3McAllen

McHi Facts: McAllen Bulldogs can clinch a playoff spot for the third straight season with a win over McAllen Memorial.

H.S.

Conference: 30-5A Head Coach: Tony Harris 2008 Record: 5-1, 3-0

(McAllen, Tx)-He’s been looking for a way out of McAllen for the past three seasons and maybe this could be the year for head coach Tony Harris to get his wish as the McAllen Bulldogs face the McAllen Memorial Mustangs for the the 30-5A lead this Friday night at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. Two years ago after leading the Bulldogs to the State 5A Division II playoffs, Harris applied for the Pflugerville Connally head football position. He was passed up. Then last year, again, Harris led the Bulldogs to the State 5A playoffs and after the season he inquired about the Austin Lake Travis head

LB James Franz III coaching position but did not apply. Lake Travis won the Class 4A title in 2007. Both positions were 4A jobs. This year, with more luck, maybe Harris will find a position up state somewhere in Class 4A to coach. Until then, the Bulldogs have been a dominant force in 30-5A. “It’s a free country. He can

Week Four QB Erik Nino of Edcouch-Elsa rushed for 153 yards and two TDs and passed for 192 yards with two TDs to lead his team over Weslaco East 42-23 with no interceptions.

Week Six RB Andrew Alvarado of Weslaco East H.S. rushed for 282 yards and 34 carries with four TDs in their win over La Joya Juarez-Lincoln H.S.

Week Five QB Richard Garza over Donna HS passed for 147 yards and three scores. He also rushed for 165 yards on 14 carries and two TDs in their win over McAllen Rowe.

QB Danny Silva passed for Tds of 15, 3, and three yards to lead the Los Fresnos Falcons past Brownsville Lopez 63-19 in District 32-5A. He also rushed for 49 yards and two scores.

> Send us your weekly player nominations to hssmonline@yahoo.com

HSSM IMages

apply anywhere he wants too,” says athletic director Baldemar “Poppy” Rodriguez, who is set to retire soon. He is currently under the McAllen I.S.D. retire-rehire system. The Bulldogs lost its season opener to No.2 ranked Harlingen but have won five straight games since then.

In a much anticipated game against Sharyland, the Bulldogs romped the FM 495 rival 56-24. At halftime, the Dogs led 28-3. WR Aaron Correa broke loose like a wild dog for a 64-yard run to put the dogs up 7-0 in the first quarter. But McHi’s defense also contributed to the its victory. Brandon Rock returned a 65-yard interception for a score to give the Bulldogs a 35-10 lead. Against Donna, the Bulldogs won it in overtime 31-24 behind poor officiating. Either way, if Harris stays focused on winning rather than looking for a job at the nd of this season, he might lead the Bulldogs to more wins and a possible 30-5A outright title this Friday night. Expect a sellout.

Jose Bocanegra

John Murphy

Andrew Alvarado

LJ Juarez-Lincoln

Harlingen

Weslaco East

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

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HSSM TOP TEN

4Los

Falcon Facts: Since 2006, Los Fresnos has advanced to the Class 5A Division I regional semifinals under head coach Scott Ford.

Fresnos Conference: 32-5A Head Coach: Scott Ford 2008 Record: 6-0, 3-0

(Los Fresnos, Tx)- “Family” is what you will read on the front part of the Los Fresnos Falcons uniforms on gameday. As strange as if may sound, this is a family. “We are family” says head coach Scott Ford of Los Fresnos. The Falcons are trying to make it three-straight 325A titles in a row in 2008. Ford started its district run against the Weslaco Panthers on their artifical turf on September 26th and came out on top again for the third year in a row, winning 35-28. QB Danny Silva, who spent the last four games of the season in 2007 watching from the sidelines with a dampered leg injury has led this team with impressive numbers. Silva has passed for 1,082 with nine

QB Danny Silva touchdowns and completed 48-of-78 passes. These type of numbers will get any Division I College scout interested in his abilities. On defense, the Falcons rank second in the district allowing just 260 yards in total offense to opposing teams. Against the Weslaco Panthers, Silva passed for 281

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

Sept-Oct 2008

HSSM IMages

yards and three scores. He also added another 80 yards on the ground. Usually, the Panthers play the Falcons towards the end of the season but Panther head coach Tony Villarreal praised the Falcons for their victory on September 26th. Now the Falcons have their sights set on winning the

outright 32-5A title but they must travel to San Benito this Friday night to claim such rights and then host Brownsville Pace the following week to win the golden trophy. Both teams are undefeated in district play. RB Danny Mendez has added a running game to this pass-happy Falcon team with almost 650 yards on the ground. Against the Brownsville Rivera Raiders, Mendez rushed for 138 yards on five carries, including a 55-yard run in the first quarter to the Falcons up 35-0. This is a different Falcon team in 2008. Well-balanced on offense and much more experience on defense. The San Benito Greyhounds will be tested to its limits at Bobby Morrow Stadium.

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HSSM TOP TEN

5San

Greyhound Facts: Pena has led the Greyhounds to the State 5A playoffs for the past four years in a row. Make it five in 2008.

Benito HS Conference: 32-5A Head Coach: Mario Pena 2008 Record: 5-1, 3-0

(San Benito, Tx)-Every year that head coach Mario Pena has been on the sidelines, Greyhound fans get excited. Real excited. And why not? He assures every fan that they will be winners each year. Now the San Benito Greyhounds are running again with five wins this season and this week’s showdown with Los Fresnos (6-0) at Bobby Morrow Stadium will decide the 32-5A crown holder for either team. Both teams enter the game undefeated in district.

HC Mario Pena Against Brownsville Lopez, the Greyhounds rushed 30 times for 310 yards to win 42-7. The Greyhounds also

> Send us your stats and scores to hssmonline@yahoo.com

HSSM IMages

utilized its passing game behind WR Mathew Montalvo for 109 yards. The Greyhounds did almost just

the same to in their opener against Brownsville Hanna 33-7. “We practice hard for gamedays. Our practices are game-like situations,” says Pena. For the record, San Benito averages 350 yards a game, and defensively, they rank No.1 in the district with 220 yards. Montalvo has found the endzone nine times this season. “This is what we practice for. Big games. This week will be no exception,” says Mario Pena as they get ready for Los Fresnos.

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6Donna

Redskin Facts: The Redskins went undefeated in District 305A in 2007 play. They also went two-deep in the State 5A playoffs.

H.S.

Conference: 30-5A Head Coach: Manny Moreno 2008 Record: 5-1, 3-1

(Donna, Texas)-In the High School Sports Magazine’s Game of the Week between the McAllen Bulldogs and Donna Redskins (4-1, 2-1) from 30-5A presented by Cricket Communications, the Bulldogs took advantage of official miscues and mistakes throughout the game to win 31-24 in overtime. “These kids do not deserve to lose like this. I do not want to comment about tonight’s officials. But one official did apologized on a bad call he made tonight,” said Donna head football coach Manny Moreno. With less than 30 seconds left to play in the game, quarterback Richard Garza spotted WR Ray Arrambide open at the 16-yard line on fourth

30-5A Repeat Title?

HSSM IMages

down to put the Redskins within reach of claiming a victory. Garza again, found Arrambide open in the end zone, caught with one leg stepping in bounds for the winning score. With the Donna bench going wild with only five seconds left to play and the Redskins up

27-24, the sideline official came screaming and blowing his whistle, waving his arms, that “the catch” was bobbled and the receiver had no possession. Since last week, the Donna Redskins have moved on with expectations still high on winning the 30-5A title again in 2008.

They will meet Sharyland this Friday in Mission and then host Rio Grande City (10/24) and La Joya (10/31). In a wild win over McAllen Nikki Rowe (3-3, 0-3), Donna quarterback Garza rushed for more than 145 yards and two touchdowns to escape a narrow 48-40 win. “That game went back and fourth,” laughs Moreno. The second-year head coach praised his team on both sides of the ball for their determination all season long. “These players have executed on game night and I am proud of them. I thank my coaching staff for their dedicated work too,” he added. The Redskins end its season at McAllen Memorial on November 6th.

Rio Grande City McAllen Edinburg Pharr Alamo Donna Weslaco La Feria Harlingen San Benito Brownsville 26

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7Weslaco

Wildcat Facts: do is on Alvarado is on pace to rush for a record 2,000 yards in one season and leading the Wildcats to the playoffs.

East H.S.

Conference: 32-4A Head Coach: Armando Cuellar 2008 Record: 5-1, 2-1

(Weslaco, Tx)-The Weslaco East Wildcats are on track to making their second straight Class 4A playoff appearance as long as they keep running back Andrew Alvarado healthy enough to keep running. Against the Roma Gladiators (0-5, 0-2), Alvarado was held to a season-low 135 yards rushing but is he is staying on track to eclipse the 2,000 yard barrier in 2008. Ironically, the Wildcats rank second in the 32-4A in total offense with 353.0 yards per game. The Wildcats have rushed for 1,860 yards, with Alvarado gaining 1,364 of these yards on the ground. Head coach Armando Cuellar said that his team was ready to play and

RB Andrew Alvarado was excited about meeting Edcouch-Elsa in their 32-4A opener. The Wildcats exploded for 204 yards rushing in the first half with Alvarado carrying the entire load. The Yellowjackets made their adjustments at halftime and limited the Wildcat running back to 88 yards for the remainder of

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the night. The Cats lost 4223. With this season still left with three deciding games against Mercedes (Oct. 24th), Mission (Oct 30th), and Mission Veterans (Nov 6th), all three games could have playoff implications for all four teams. The Wildcats looked good against 32-3A teams Hidalgo

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(21-16) and La Feria (21-13) in non-district action, but have struggled in district with a second-half shutout loss against Edcouch-Elsa and barely rushed past winless Roma 28-21. Alvarado had a big night against the Lions rushing for 230 yards on 41 carries and then added another 286 yards against the Yellowjackets with three scores. He had runs of 17, 58, and 47 yards all in the first half. However, against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Alavardo carried the ball 34 times for 282 yards and four touchdowns to lead he Wildcats to a 41-26 victory. Last year the Weslaco East â&#x20AC;&#x153;strong sideâ&#x20AC;? made the State 4A playoffs for the first time in school history. Can the Wildcats be stopped?

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8Pace

Viking Facts: Pace is 3-0 in district play and will meet Los Fresnos on October 26th in a showdown for the title?

H.S.

Conference: 32-5A Head Coach: Rene Medrano 2008 Record: 4-2, 3-0

(Brownsville, Tx)-Head coach Rene Medrano predicted that his team would be better than it was in 2008. After all, his Vikings only won three games all year long. Now, he says that,“playing in these tight games has breathe new life in me.” The Vikings are off to there best start ever winning four games, including three 32-5A games to go 3-0. How long will this record last? “We have to play every game and play four quarters. It’s been an exciting year so far,” he adds. The Vikes won their first two district games by a combined two points over Brownsville Porter (23-22) and Weslaco (21-20). Mis-

QB Rodrigo Tostado cuses and officiating were the causes and benefits for the Vikings. Against Porter, a referee had signaled a play dead right before the half with the Cowboys in scoring position. “We got robbed,” says head coach Robert Valdez. Against Weslaco, the extra point holder fumbled

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the ball forcing the Panthers to go for two points. The conversion failed, sending the Vikings into a jumping victory at home. Medrano should stand at 4-0 when they travel to Los Fresnos on October 24th in a crucial match up. One of the reasons the Vikings

have been successful is due to the fact that QB Rodrigo Tostado has been superb. On offense, Tostado has led his team to almost 300 yards on offense. Against the Panthers, he rushed for 131 yards and he scored twice in the fourth quarter with runs of 14 yards and nine yards to lead the Vikes on a comefrom-behind victory. They will now travel this Friday to Los Fresnos (6-0), a team that clawed its way past Brownsville Rivera 63-6 a few weeks ago. QB Danny Silva completed 7of-9 for 196 yards and three scores to lead the Falcons. Don’t be surprised to see 2008 defensive back alldistrict performer Tostado in the secondary.

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9Weslaco

Panther Facts: The Purple and White will be looking to make the State 5A playoffs for the fourth consecutive season under Villarreal.

H.S.

Conference: 32-5A Head Coach: Tony Villarreal 2008 Record: 3-3, 1-2

(Weslaco, Tx)-The only thing that the Weslaco Panthers have going for them is staying focus and making the State 5A playoffs for the four consecutive year under head coach Tony Villarreal. The Panthers were ranked No.1 in the High School Sports Magazine’s pre-season polls but have since lost three games, with its first loss of the season coming to un-ranked Edinburg on September 19th. The 24-20 win by the Bobcats snapped an 18-game losing streak and created a three-game losing slide for the Panthers. The “Purple and White” have lost to Edinburg, Los Fresnos, and Brownsville Pace in that order. In 32-5A, the Pan-

QB Dylan De Leon thers lead the district in total offense (416.0 yards) with 1,531 yards coming on the ground. “We are starting to come together. Like I said from the start of the season. We are young on defense, on offense only Dylan De Leon QB returned as the lone backfield starter from

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2008,” says Villarreal. “The expectations here at Weslaco are very high.” The Panthers will now compete for playoff seedings if all goes right after losing to Los Fresnos (35-28) on September 26th in Weslaco. Senior RB Michael Blackmon leads the team with

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more than 800 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns in his first season in the backfield with De Leon. “He’s starting to learn our system and we hope that he only gets better,” adds Villarreal. On defense, the Panthers will have to tighten up as they have allowed 275 yards to its opponents. And even then, Villarreal praises his team for their success. The Panthers will travel to Brownsville Porter this week on October 17th and they will have to stay focus and not look ahead to next week’s meeting with the San Benito Greyhounds at home. “The Cowboys are a much improved team and we will be ready,” added Villarreal.

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McAllen Memorial

Mustang Facts: Granchelli is on course to rush past 1,500 yards and lead McAllen Memorial to a possible State 5A playoff berth.

Conference: 30-5A Head Coach: Bill Littleton 2008 Record: 4-2, 3-0

(McAllen, Tx)-With a freshmen quarterback under center, Matthew Kaufmann drew much criticism from Mustang fans for the two non-district losses against Edinburg Economedes (2225) and Brownsville Pace (33-19). Since then, the McAllen Memorial Mustangs have won four games in a row, including three 305A games to remain in first place with Kaufmann still under center. Mustang head coach Bill Littleton knows that its still a little early to predict a playoff spot, especially with

RB Patrick Granchelli

crosstown rivals, McAllen Nikki Rowe (3-3, 0-3) on tap this Friday night at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. Two years ago, the Mustangs

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gave then-sophomore running back Patrick Granchelli plenty of playing time in the back field and it has paid off. He has rushed for more than

900 yards this season and led the Mustangs to their first win of the season against PSJA (17-15) by rushing for 198 yards and two touchdown runs on 24 carries. With only three games remaining after Rowe, the Mustangs will have to step it up a notch as they will meet McAllen (10/31), Sharyland (10-31), and Donna (11-6). All three teams are looking for playoff spots. Led by Andy Saenz, the Stangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; defense has made big plays this season to keep them at 3-0 and they will face their toughest feat yet.

Region IV Golf Tournaments

Harlingen South’s Robledo Wins Again Hawks Win Two-Day Team Championship (Harlingen, Tx)-The defending 31-5A champion, Harlingen South sophomore Roman Robledo took a drop without penalty from standing water and then hit his second shot to the green from 134 yards, just 20 feet from the pin on Hole No.17 at the Tony Butler Municipal Course. Robledo then chipped the ball in for a birdie en route to win his first district tournament win of the 2008 season with a two-day total of 71-72. Robledo easily defeated the field at the Harlingen Invitational played recently. The Harlingen South Hawks also won team honors with two-day scores of 297-306 and according to head coach

Larry Kruse, now in his third year, he is excited about this year’s squad. “This is a very dedicated team. They work hard and Roman is our lead-

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er. He really has this team competing,” says Kruse. The Hawks have won one district title and have made it to the Region IV Tournament in San Antonio in 2008. “This should be a great year for the South Hawks,” added Kruse. On his final hole, Robledo hit his drive down the fairway and then wasted no time, firing his wedge from

100-yards out, hitting the green 4-feet from No.18. He recorded back-to-birdies to win. “This was a good day. I have been working real hard on my putting and chipping,” says the 2008 Starburst Champion. “This team wants to go to regional and hopefully we can get to state too,” says National Honor Society student.

2008 Harlingen SouthVarsity Golf team pictured front l-r are Matthew Ledesma and Randy Soliz. Back l-r are head coach Larry Kruse, Max Burbach, Roman Robledo, and Chad King. (HSSM IMages)

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Region IV Golf Tournaments

Edinburg North’s Cubriel Fires 68 To Win (Weslaco, Tx)-If this tournament would be any indication of who will challenge 31-5A defending champion Roman Robledo, Edinburg North’s Eric Cubriel sent a strong message last week by defeating the two-time State 5A finalist Abraham Ancer from Sharyland with rounds of 68 and 72 to win the Donna Invitational Golf Tournament played at the Tierra Santa Golf Course in Weslaco last week. Finishing two-strokes behind in second place was Brownsville Hanna’s Matt Cadriel (7270) with Ancer, the two-time defending 30-5A champ finishing in third place overall

with scores of 71-72. In team totals, the Sharyland Rattlers easily won with two-day team scores of 310-301 with Edinburg High (308-308) in second followed by Hanna (313-307). Edinburg North (316-313) and McAllen Memorial (329-333) finished fourth and fifth overall. Mustang sophomore Alec Amador recorded four birdies on his final day to place tenth in individual standings with 78-79. Teammate, senior Frankie Gonzales finished seventh with 75-78. The North Cougars will challenge Edinburg and Harlingen South for the top two

2008 Edinburg North Varsity Golf team pictured front l-r are Justin Molina, Chris Tagle, and Marshal Roman. Back l-r are Phillip Tagle, Justin Esparaza, and Eric Cubriel. (HSSM IMages)

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places awarded in 31-5A to advance to the State 5A Region IV to be played at the Pecan Valley Golf Course

in San Antonio, Texas. “It’s going to be interesting,” says Rudy Celedon, Cougar head coach.

Region IV-Top Golfers

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30-5A Contender-Alec Amador McAllen Memorial H.S.

31-5A Contender-Derrick Salinas Edinburg H.S.

30-5A Contender-J.P. Cordova La Joya H.S.

Finished 10th at Donna Invitational.

Finished 4th at the Donna Invitational.

Finished 7th at the Donna Invitational.

(HSSM IMages)

2008-09 Golf Schedule Weslaco Invitational

Oct 17-18

Edinburg Invitational

Oct 24-25

Tierra Santa Golf Course Boys Los Lagos/Monte Cristo B/G

Ed-Elsa Invitational

Monte Cristo Golf Course

Oct 31-Nov 1

Weslaco East Championships

Nov 7-8

Weslaco East Championships

Nov 10

Tierra Santa Golf Course-Boys

Tierra Santa Golf Course-Girls

Brownsville ISD Tourney

Nov 14-15

McAllen Championships

Nov 21-22

Fort Brown GC Boys-Girls Palmview GC Boys-Girls

Sharyland Invitational Shary Golf Course-Girls

Jan 23-24

Sharyland Championships The Club at Cimarron-Boys

(HSSM IMages)

Jan 24-26

Mission HS Tourney-Girls Mission HS Tourney-Boys Feb 6-7 at the Shary Golf Course

Feb 5

PSJA Tourney-Boys at Tierra Del Sol Feb 20-21 PSJA Tourney-Girls at Tierra Del Sol Feb 23 Mercedes Tourney B/G Feb 27-28 The Palms at Mid-Valley GC Rio Grande Valley Golf Coaches Association Championships Mar 6-7 at Pecan Valley GC-San Antonio, Tx Pre-District 31-5A Championships Mar 27-28 at Tony Butler GC

Pre-District 32-5A Championships March 30th at Tierra Santa GC

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Pre-District 30-5A Championships March 30th at Martin Valley Ranch

2009 District Championships-April 6-7th at Pre-District Courses

2009 Region IV Tourney-April 20-21 at Pecan Valley GC in San Antonio, Texas

2009 UIL State Golf Championships May 11-15th Austin, Texas 5A Boys-Jimmy Clay G.C. May 14-15 3A Boys-Roy Kizer G.C. May May 14-15 3A/5A Girls-Steve Hammond GC May 14-15 4A Boys-Jimmy Clay GC May 11-12 4A Girls-Steve Hammond G.C. May 11-12 2A Boys-Roy Kizer G.C. May 11-12 2A Girls-Steve Hammond May 11-12

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OneOnOne

The 2008 32-5A Golf’s MVP and thirdranked sophomore (104.0 GPA) was diagnosed with TYPE I Diabetes in August. “My vision was a complete blurr and my sudden weight loss alarmed my parents...” HSSM talks to Kalen

HSSM: What were the side effects? Kalen: I started losing weight this summer. From 145 lbs, I dropped to 110 lbs. In August, my vision was a complete blurr and my sudden weight loss alarmed my parents. HSSM: So what happened next? Kalen: Luckily, I was admitted to the hospital and at this point, my body was in serious condition. HSSM: Were you scared?

Kalen: Yeah. My sugar levels had dropped and my vision was blinding. HSSM: Can you cope with this ordeal now? Kalen: That’s the great part. I am back to normal and now I just have to watch what I eat, diet, and take my insulin on schedule. Now I just want to play golf and make another trip to the Region IV Golf Tournament in April. HSSM: Have a great year Kalen.

For more on TYPE I Diabetes go to www.diabetes.org

I N T E R V I E W HSSM: When did you discover that you had Type I Diabetes? Kalen: My game of golf is exhausting but I never felt tired until this past summer playing in the STPGA Tournaments. Back in April, I missed the TAKS exams because my pancreas stopped functioning. My body color started to get yellowish. But at this point, we did not think of diabetes being the cause of this sickness.

with Kalen Vos Weslaco H.S. Golfer

Nice shot. Ready for another season is Weslaco High School sophomore Kalen Vos. (HSSM IMages)

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