2017 HIGH SCHOOL
2017 Fall Edition
SPORTS PREVIEW
Special Supplement of:
District 30-6A
THE
BIG7 SCHOOLS
District 31-5A
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SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
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2017 Fall Edition
District 31-5A at a Glance
By Bryan Ramos
Laredo Cigarroa Toros The Toros (0-2) finished at the bottom of 31-5A last year with a 0-8 district record, but are hopeful of changing their losing ways in 2017. One of the bright spots for Cigarroa is the defense, which returns standout junior linebacker Danny Diaz (135 tackles, seven sacks) and senior defensive back Rolando Gonzalez (105 tackles, two INTs).
Roma Gladiators The Gladiators (0-2) bring one of the district’s most dangerous ground attacks into 2017. After a 5-5 (3-5) finish last season, running backs Bryan Garcia and Felix Gomez will look to put together a good district run. Senior defensive lineman Elder Manuel anchors the Roma defense.
Laredo Martin Tigers The Martin Tigers (1-1) return 13 starters from last year’s 3-7 (35) team giving them a load of game experience which is bound to give them a boost in 2017. Junior quarterback Matthew Duron leads the spread offense which has weapons like senior receiver Matthew Carreon and senior fullback Federico Mendez back for another year.
Sharyland Rattlers Ron Adame’s squad has proven to be a model of consistency in District 31-5A, and after a 7-4 (6-2) finish a year ago, the Rattlers will be out to prove this team is made of winners, as well. Leading the offense is junior quarterback Edgar Longoria and Sharyland’s biggest offensive threat in senior slot back Blake Klein. Junior linebacker Javo Lopez is back for another year of wreaking havoc on opposing backfields and should have Sharyland looking at another postseason appearance.
Laredo Nixon Mustangs The Mustangs (1-1) dropped only one district game last season, which earned them a share of the 31-5A title. This year’s squad returns 10 starters, including 1,000 yard rusher Esteban Guerra, who will carry a big load for the Nixon offense. The Mustangs will be chasing another district championship, but hope to be the sole winners of the crown. Pioneer Diamondbacks With a co-district championship and the first playoff berth in program history under their belt, the Pioneer Diamondbacks (1-1) and Head Coach Jason Wheeler are hungry for more. Leading the charge is junior quarterback Jacob Rosales, a third-year starter and dual-threat playmaker. Also returning for the Diamondbacks is senior safety Tyler Bulthuis and senior running back Logan Harris, who put Pioneer in position to have a successful 2017. Rio Grande City Rattlers After narrowly missing the postseason a year ago at 4-4 in 31-5A, the Rio Grande City Rattlers (1-1) will be out to prove they belong with the district’s top four in 2017. With 13 returning starters on the team, senior quarterback Jason Pérez leads a dangerous ground attack for the Rio offense. Holding down the defense is the secondary led by seniors Abraham Benavides and Israel Lambert.
Valley View Tigers The Tigers (2-0) did just enough to prevent a last place district finish in 2016, but they have already matched their season win total from a year ago and are still looking to improve on their 1-7 district record. Valley View returns five starters on offense and six on defense, which should provide leadership on each side of the ball. Look for junior quarterback Simon Fernandez to lead the Tigers pistol attack, while senior linebacker David Torres spearheads the defense. Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots Head Coach David Gilpin and the Patriots (2-0) accomplished a long-time goal last season in reaching the third-round of the playoffs. This year’s squad, led by junior quarterback Landry Gilpin, has the potential to find themselves in position to reach the third round again and possibly further in 2017. Senior cornerback Giovanni Grimaldo and the dangerous linebacker duo of juniors Joey Garcia and Jazz Vallejo lead a swarming Patriots defense.
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District 30-6A at a Glance
Juarez-Lincoln Huskies Head Coach Tomas Garcia and the Huskies are 2-0 in non-district action after picking up wins over P.S.J.A Memorial, 34-7, and Rio Hondo 36-33. The group returns five starters on each side of the ball, led by senior defensive standouts safety Elias Gutierrez and linebacker Joseph Valdez. The Husky offense is spearheaded by senior quarterback Efren Martinez, running back Adonis Barillas and junior receiver Albert Martinez. La Joya Coyotes After finishing 3-7 (2-4) and missing the postseason on a tiebreaker in 2016, second year Head Coach Reuben Farias returns with goals of putting La Joya (2-0) back in the playoffs. The Coyote defense has consistently been among 306A’s best in recent years, and leading this season’s group is senior defensive lineman Danny Villarreal and junior safety Irvin Zamora. Third-year starter at quarterback Ir-
SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
By Bryan Ramos
ving Garcia returns for his senior season as he shares the backfield with a bruising running back in sophomore Eddie Villarreal.
the first two weeks. Speights rushed for 1,494 yards and 22 touchdowns in his freshman campaign and looks to grow those numbers in 2017.
McAllen High Bulldogs The Bulldogs (1-1) missed the playoffs a year ago after finishing in a four-way tie with a 2-4 record. Back for McHi is the versatile offensive weapon Gunnar Henderson, who will have to work with a battle at the quarterback position with senior starter J.R. Cortez while sophomore Aaron Nixon waits in the wings. Six starters return from last year’s team who will be out to put the Bulldogs back in the playoffs.
Mission Eagles In year one of the Koy Detmer era, the Eagles (1-1) showed fight and a no-quit attitude, something which they have carried into 2017. After a 3-7 (2-4) finish a season ago, sophomore quarterback Damian Gomez and senior linebacker/fullback Steven De Leon will be looking to put Mission High football back on the winning track. The Eagles return 11 starters from 2016, giving them an experienced group with room to get better.
McAllen Memorial Mustangs Sophomore running back Campbell Speights leads the lethal Memorial (2-0) offense that has beaten two of the top programs in the Valley, Pioneer and Weslaco East, in
Nikki Rowe Warriors The Warriors (1-1) ended their three-year postseason absence last year, finishing with a 7-4 record overall and
3-3 in 30-6A action. Head Coach Bobby Flores returns nine returning starters, and with senior quarterback Jesus Sanchez under center, the arrow is pointing up at Rowe. Sanchez missed five games due to injury but still posted 1,372 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Also returning is his main weapon in senior receiver Adrian Bernal.
Palmview Lobos The Palmview Lobos (1-1) will be looking to build off a strong second place district finish last year, but with the loss of a talented senior class, they will have their work cut out for them. The defense is led by senior cornerback Jesus Herrera, who was named First Team All-District a season ago. First-year starting quarterback, senior Amador De Leon, will be directing the Palmview offense and will depend on the experience of senior tackle Moises Morales to clear space.
SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
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Wishing you the Best of Luck
THIS SEASON!
Ramiro J. Rodriguez, Jr. Mayor
Roberto A. Salinas Mayor Pro-Tem
Jaime Aranda Councilman
Ruben De Leon Councilman
www.cityofpalmhursttx.com
Israel Silva Councilman
Ofelia Peña-Perez Councilwoman
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A Look at This Year’s Big 7 Teams
SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
THE
BIG7 SCHOOLS
District 30-6A
Juarez-Lincoln Huskies The Huskies finished 2-4 in 30-6A but squeezed their way into the playoffs last year due to a four-way tiebreaker. This year, Juarez-Lincoln (2-0) is reloaded and out to prove they can compete with the district’s best. All-District safety Elias Gutierrez brings a swagger to the defense with his ball-hawking ability, but has also been dangerous with the rock in his hand this year with two touchdowns in two games. Gutierrez and fellow All-District First Teamer, linebacker Joseph Valdez, are determined to build a winning culture at Juarez-Lincoln and that’ll start by qualifying for the playoffs again in 2017. Under center for the Huskies is senior quarterback Efren Martinez, and with weapons in running back Adonis Barillas (875 yards in 2016) and receiver Albert Martinez, Juarez-Lincoln has put up scores of 34 and 36 in their two
wins over P.S.J.A. Memorial and Rio Hondo. Head Coach Tomas Garcia and his high-scoring squad are out to prove they belong in 30-6A’s top four, without the help of a tiebreaker. The Huskies are set for a regular season finale against the defending district champion Memorial Mustangs. La Joya Coyotes After two seasons on the outside looking in, the Coyotes (2-0) are determined to find their way back into the playoffs under second-year Head Coach Reuben Farias. The Coyotes finished 3-7 a year ago and 2-4 in 30-6A. The good news is La Joya brings back a load of experience with 11 returning starters. Third-year starting quarterback Irving Garcia is hopeful he can end the Coyotes playoff drought.
See District 30-6A Pg. 14
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2017 Fall Edition
2017 Schedule 8/31 at P.S.J.A. Mem. (W) 34-7 9/8 vs Rio Hondo (W) 36-33 9/15 vs Donna North 9/22 at Edcouch Elsa 9/29 at Nikki Rowe* 10/6 vs Palmview* 10/12 at Mission* 10/20 vs McHi* 10/27 at La Joya* 11/2 vs Memorial* *Denotes district game
Head Coach: Tomas Garcia 2016 Record: 4-7 (2-4 district) Returning Starters O/D: 5/5 Key Players: S Elias Gutierrez, RB Adonis Barillas, LB Joseph Valdez, QB Efren Martinez, WR Albert Martinez
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SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
8/31 vs Rio Grande City (W) 20-7 9/7 vs Roma (W) 15-13 9/15 at Donna 9/22 at P.S.J.A. North 9/29 at Mission* 10/5 vs McHi* 10/20 at Memorial* 10/27 vs Juarez-Lincoln* 11/3 at Nikki Rowe* 11/10 vs Palmview* *Denotes district game
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2017 Fall Edition
2017 Schedule 9/1 at P.S.J.A. North (W) 24-14 9/8 at Mission Veterans (L) 14-18 9/16 at Hanna 9/22 vs Winn 9/29 vs La Joya* 10/6 at Memorial* 10/12 vs Juarez-Lincoln* 10/19 at Nikki Rowe* 10/27 vs Palmview* 11/9 at McHi* *Denotes district gam
Head Coach: Koy Detmer 2016 Record: 3-7 (2-4 district) Returning Starters O/D: 6/5 Key Players: LB Esteban De Leon, QB Damian Gomez, WR Sebastian Gonzalez, LB Aleksander Gomez, T Michael Brasher 2017 Mission Eagles Football Team
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2017 Fall Edition
2017 Schedule 9/1 vs Roma (W) 16-10 9/8 at Economedes (L) 9-13 9/14 at Edinburg 9/22 vs Pace 9/29 vs Memorial* 10/6 at Juarez-Lincoln* 10/13 vs Nikki Rowe* 10/27 at Mission* 11/3 vs McHi* 11/10 at La Joya* *Denotes district game
Head Coach: Margarito Requenez 2016 Record: 5-6 (4-2 district) Returning starters O/D: 2/4 Key Players: CB Jesus Herrera, DE Rolando Andrade, T Moises Morales, LB Miguel De Hoyos, QB Amador De Leon 2017 Palmview Lobos Football Team
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2017 Fall Edition
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2017 Fall Edition
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City of Alton
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2017 Fall Edition
From District 30-6A Pg. 6 Another year of football at La Joya means another year of playing shutdown defense, and defensive lineman Danny Villarreal and safety Irvin Zamora (3 INTs), are leading this year’s pack. With linebackers Nathaniel Gracia and Alfredo Perez, the Coyotes defense is talented at every level. The Coyote offense will depend on the arm and legs of Garcia, but sophomore running back Eddie Villarreal provides a bruising running style that wears opposing defenses down. Garcia finished 2016 with 642 passing yards, 180 rushing yards and 11 combined touchdowns. Farias’ group is 2-0 in non-district action after a 20-7 victory over Rio Grande City and a 15-13 walk-off win against Roma last week. The Coyotes hope to keep that momentum alive as they prepare for the grind of 30-6A, where they hope to earn a postseason berth. Mission Eagles The Eagles could be a pleasant surprise this year for Mission fans and an unwanted competitor by the other District 30-6A teams. Second-year Head Coach Koy Detmer returns eleven starters from last year’s 3-7 team, but most noticeable about the Eagles is their size across the board which poses a problem for opponents. Senior linebacker/fullback Steven De Leon is primed for another big year after winning a share of 30-6A’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2016. The do-it-all linebacker has three-touchdowns on the year, and they came at the quarterback position when he was called to fill-in for injured starter Damian Gomez. When Gomez returned in Week Two, De Leon went back to his linebacker and fullback duties while the sophomore quarterback directed the offense. Mission opened the season with an impressive 24-14 victory over P.S.J.A. North before falling to crosstown rival Veterans Memorial 14-18 in The Battle of Conway. What’s clear is Detmer’s squad is a fiery bunch that won’t quit until the final whistle, a trait which will be crucial to the Eagles’ success in 2017. Palmview Lobos The Palmview Lobos have established themselves over the past few years as one of the best in District 30-6A. However, with only six starters returning on this year’s team, Head Coach Margarito Requenez knows his group will have to grow together and take steps forward to continue Palmview’s playoff streak. Leading this year’s group are playmaking defenders and a big offensive line. Team captain Jesus Herrera (5 INTs) was named First Team All-District for his play at cornerback a year ago while defensive end Rolando Andrade (7 sacks) earned Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors. Opening holes up front is tackle Moises Morales Offensive Newcomer of the Year for a young offense with a first-year starter at quarterback in Amador De Leon. The Lobos opening two games have provided dramatic action, as they used a walk-off touchdown in overtime to beat Roma 16-10 before dropping a tight one in last week’s road game to Economedes 9-13. To keep Palmview on the rise, the Lobos will have to rely on their defense shutting down opponents and hope the offense can do enough to find ways to win.
SPORTS PREVIEW -
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2017 Fall Edition
THE
BIG7 SCHOOLS
District 31-5A
Pioneer Diamondbacks 2016 was good to the Diamondbacks (8-3, 7-1 District), earning a share of the district title and the first playoff berth in program history. Now, Head Coach Jason Wheeler and his group will have a target on their back as they enter 31-5A action. At the helm for Pioneer is third-year starting quarterback Jacob Rosales, who was named First Team All-District last year. As a sophomore, Rosales threw for 1,756 yards, 23 touchdowns and only four interceptions, while rushing for 516 yards and nine scores on the ground. After losing the team’s top two receivers from a year ago, seniors Will Proctor and Enrique Hurtado return to play big roles in Pioneer’s fast-paced spread offense. Carrying the load in the backfield is the senior combination of Logan Harris and Michael Benavidez. Harris has 254
A Look at This Year’s Big 7 Teams
yards and two scores through two games this year. Senior safety Tyler Bulthuis leads the Diamondback defense with his vocal leadership and play-making ability. A First Team All-District selection in 2016, he will be relied upon to hold up the last line of defense for the Pioneer Diamondbacks. As defending co-district champion, Pioneer will have to prove they are here to stay while taking every other 31-5A team’s best shot, and Wheeler has a group who can do just that. Sharyland Rattlers Head Coach Ron Adame has built Sharyland football into one of the most consistent and respected programs in all the Rio Grande Valley. This year, with only eight See District 31-5A Pg. 19
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SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
2017 Schedule 9/1 at Weslaco East (L) 0-62 9/8 vs Edinburg N. (W) 24-20 9/22 at Valley View* 9/29 vs Martin* 10/6 at Roma* 10/13 vs Cigarroa* 10/20 at Pioneer* 10/27 vs Nixon* 11/3 at Veterans* 11/10 vs Rio Grande City* *Denotes district game
Head Coach: Ron Adame 2016 Record: 7-4 (6-2 district) Returning Starters O/D: 5/3 Key Players: LB Javo Lopez, WR Blake Klein, QB Edgar Longoria, T Joshua Williams, LB Brandon Mireles 2017 Sharyland Rattlers Football Team
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SPORTS PREVIEW -
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2017 Fall Edition
2017 Schedule 9/1 vs Memorial (L) 24-41 9/9 at Pace (W) 34-28 9/15 vs Cigarroa* 9/29 at Nixon* 10/6 vs Veterans* 10/13 at Rio Grande City* 10/20 vs Sharyland* 10/27 at Valley View* 11/3 vs Martin* 11/10 at Roma* *Denotes district game
Head Coach: Jason Wheeler 2016 Record: 8-3 (7-1 district) Returning Starters O/D: 6/4 Key Players: QB Jacob Rosales, S Tyler Bulthuis, RB Logan Harris, T Cameron Gould, LB Angel Chapa 2017 Pioneer Diamondbacks Football Team
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SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
8/31 vs Harlingen (W) 31-26 9/8 vs Mission (W) 18-14 9/15 vs Martin* 9/22 at Roma* 9/28 vs Cigarroa* 10/6 at Pioneer* 10/13 vs Nixon* 10/27 at Rio Grande City* 11/3 vs Sharyland* 11/10 at Valley View* *Denotes district game
Head Coach: David Gilpin 2016 Record: 8-5 (5-3 district) Returning Starters O/D: 5/4 Key Players: QB Landry Gilpin, WR Buda Gonzalez, DB Giovanni Grimaldo, LB Jazz Vallejo, LB Joey Garcia 2017 Veterans Memorial Patriots Football Team
Sportswriters
Football Picks District 30-6A
1. Memorial Mustangs
2. Nikki Rowe Warriors Here are my football picks. 3. Mission Eagles Which by the way, are the 4. La Joya Coyotes District 31-5A
corrrect ones.
1. Veterans Mem. Patriots 2. Pioneer Diamondbacks
Luciano Guerra 3. Laredo Nixon Mustangs Picks 4. Sharyland Rattlers
District 30-6A
L to R: Esmeralda, Pam, Mary, and Gen
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1. Memorial Mustangs 2. Nikki Rowe Warriors 3. Juarez-Lincoln Huskies 4. Mission Eagles District 31-5A
1. Pioneer Diamondbacks Bryan Ramos Picks
2. Veterans Mem. Patriots 3. Sharyland Rattlers 4. Laredo Nixon Mustangs
SPORTS PREVIEW -
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2017 Fall Edition From District 31-5A Pg. 15
returning starters, the Rattlers (1-1) will have to come together and play as a complete unit to keep up Sharyland’s winning ways. Junior quarterback Edgar Longoria, who filled in for then-injured starter Alan Alvarez at times last year, is making his own return from injury and hopes to have an instant impact on the Rattlers play. Longoria played in seven games in 2016, finishing with 597 passing yards and eight touchdowns, as well as running for 202 and another score. Senior slot back Blake Klein, a First Team All-District honoree, gives Longoria one of the Valley’s most versatile offensive threats, a connection the Rattlers look to build through 31-5A play. Klein had 485 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go with 28 receptions, 634 yards and five scores a season ago. After falling big in Week One, the Rattlers showed resiliency and picked up a big 24-20 win over Edinburg North in Week Two. Adame’s group finished third in district last year. Now, they have the chance to show Sharyland is still the class of 31-5A. Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots Gone is last year’s All-Valley Player of the Year Diego Hernandez, but the Patriots and Head Coach David Gilpin are rolling in 2017 with a 2-0 start and big non-dis-
trict wins. In 2016, Veterans Memorial reached the third round of the playoffs for the first time in program history, a goal Coach Gilpin and the Patriots had been chasing since joining forces in 2009. This year’s squad, led by junior quarterback Landry Gilpin, has picked up where last year’s team left off, winning big games and putting up big numbers. Through two games thus far this season, a 31-26 win over Harlingen and an 18-14 victory over Mission, the dual-threat quarterback has thrown for 457 yards and two scores, while rushing for an eye-popping 403 yards and four touchdowns. Big play receiver Buda Gonzalez gives the Patriots a reliable weapon anywhere on the field, while sophomore running back Daniel Cantu brings a tough style to the Veterans’ backfield. The defense is one of the fastest in the Valley with standouts like cornerback Giovanni Grimaldo and linebackers Jazz Vallejo and Joey Garcia, and they will be called upon to lead the Patriots defensive unit against the high-scoring offenses in district action. The Patriots are considered one of the best teams in the Valley, and with Landry Gilpin running the offense, they look poised for another big year and hopeful for a deep playoff run.
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2017 Big 7 Volleyball Outlook
Volleyball; to some it’s a hobby and to others it’s a sport, but to the girls that play in Districts 31-5A and 30-6A, it’s an obsession! An obsession that extends much longer than the three months the season lasts. An obsession that has made it possible for Valley teams to advance deep into the UIL state playoffs year-in and year-out. And an obsession that fills local high school gymnasiums with avid fans of all ages every time two teams from these districts take to the court. District 31-5A’s Mission Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots, has qualified for the playoffs 15 years in a row and has advanced to the Regional Semifinals a total of four times – twice in the past four years. And District 30-6A’s McAllen Memorial Lady Mustangs has qualified for the playoffs 25 out of the past 27 years and has advanced to the Regional Semifinals a total of seven times since 1990. Both of these districts have represented the Valley extremely well on a state-wide level for many years. Only time will tell if either of these teams, or any of the other 14 teams that make up these two districts, will make a run deep into the playoffs this year. But if history does indeed repeat itself, then look for one or more 31-5A or 30-
6A teams to still be serving, spiking and digging volleyballs in fan-filled gyms well into the month of November. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the teams from the Mission, Sharyland and La Joya school districts that make up what we call, the Big 7. Veterans Memorial Lady Patriots 2016: 16-0 District 31-5A Record, District and Bi-district Champions, Area Qualifiers
>> Head coach: Diana Lerma >> Key Players: Makenzie Gerlach, Junior (Outside Hitter), Kassandra Lerma, Sophomore (Middle Blocker), Jackie Howell, Junior (Outside Hitter) >> Team Goals: Break the school record by advancing into the Regional final round (Final Four) of the playoffs. Avoid injuries. After being relieved of her coaching duties part way through the 2015 season, Diana Lerma has returned as the Lady Patriots’ head coach. Under Lerma, the Lady Patriots will be looking to return to the form that established them as the top volleyball team in the Rio Grande Valley. They
SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
Byluciano Guerra
will also be looking to extend their four-year undefeated streak in District 31-5A play and their five-year streak of advancing to at least the Area round of the playoffs. Will the Lady Patriots be able to continue their dominance of District 31-5A? With juniors Makenzie Gerlach and Jackie Howell, and sophomore Kassandra Lerma, leading the team, it’s unlikely that any district rival will be able to knock them off the top of 31-5A anytime soon. Mission Lady Eagles 2016: 6-6 District 30-6A Record, Fourth Place, Bi-district Qualifiers
>> Head Coach: Edna Clemons >> Key players: Jazmine Sustaita, Junior (Libero), Alexis Farias, Senior (Setter/Outside Hitter), Ariel Sanchez, Junior (Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter), Anyssa Aguilar, Senior (Setter) >> Team goal: To make the playoffs. Last year, the Lady Eagles qualified for the state playoffs for the third year in a row. And for the third year in a row, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in straight sets by a Laredo team.
The trend over the past few years has been for the Lady Eagles to be sandwiched between the three McAllen teams at the top of the district standings and the three La Joya teams at the bottom. As long as that trend continues, the Lady Eagles will continue making the playoffs. But it remains to be seen if they can succeed in doing what no Lady Eagles’ volleyball team has done since 2008 – advance into the second round of the playoffs. Having just graduated seven seniors, however, they’ll have their work cut out for them. Sharyland Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks 2016: 13-3 District 31-5A Record, Second Place, Bi-district Champions, Area Qualifiers
>> Head Coach: Laura Cavazos >> Key Players: Audrey Smith, Senior (Setter/Outside Hitter), Mikayla Zimmerer, Senior (Outside Hitter/Setter), Daizy Coronado, Junior (Middle Blocker) >> Team Goals: Get better every day. Work hard to make the playoffs. Last year marked the third year in a row the Lady Diamondbacks qualified for the playoffs only to be eliminated in the second round. Even so, three Bi-district championships in a row is quite a remarkable achievement for a team that’s only existed for three years. Pioneer gave the Lady Patriots a run for their money in their two district match-ups last year but they have yet to emerge victorious over Veterans Memorial in any of their six district games. Until that changes, the Lady Diamondbacks will have to settle for runner-up at best. Sharyland Lady Rattlers 2016: 11-5, Third Place, Bi-district Qualifiers
>> Head Coach: Raul Castillo >> Key Players: Caleigh Hausenfluck, Senior (Libero), Melanie Lazos, Senior (Setter), Estefania Hinojosa, Junior (Outside Hitter), Aydee Hinojosa, Junior (Setter) >> Team Goals: Be better than their previous game. Win the district title and make a run in the playoffs. Coach Castillo considers every member of his team to be a key player because they all contribute to the team’s success in one way or another. He is a firm believer in making everyone on the court accountable for their game so they will continue to grow as a team. While every coach likes to say that his or her team’s district is one of the toughest in the state, that cannot be true of every district. However, when it comes to volleyball, District 31-5A truly is one of the toughest around. If the Lady Rattlers are going to contend for the district championship, they will have to go through the Lady Patriots.
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2017 Fall Edition
La Joya Lady Coyotes
2016: 3-9 District 30-6A Record, Fifth Place
>> Head Coach: Diamantina Martinez (First year) >> Key Players: Alexandria Alaniz, Senior (Left Back and Left Front), Karina Casanova, Senior (Left Back, Left Front, Middle), Kaly Lopez, Senior (Setter) >> Team Goals: Make the playoffs for the first time since 1998. While this may be Tina Martinez’s first year as the Lady Coyotes’ head volleyball coach, it is not her first year with many of the girls on the team. She coached some of them in 7th grade, when she was a middle school coach, and most of them later as varsity assistant. If the Lady Coyotes are going to make the playoffs for the first time nearly 20 years, they’ll have to find a way of capitalizing on their team chemistry and strengthening their players’ skills. That will be the first-year coach’s biggest challenge. Palmview Lady Lobos 2016: 2-10 District 30-6A record, Sixth Place
>> Head Coach: Margo Iglesias-Cantu (First year) >> Key Players: Jazmine Campos, Senior (Setter), Shelsey Luna, Senior (Middle Blocker), Bianca Fernandez, Freshman (Libero) >> Team Goal: Make the play-offs for the first time in school history. After 11 years of coaching at Cesar Chavez and Lorenzo de Zavala middle schools in La Joya, Coach Iglesias-Cantu
realizes that she has her work cut out for her if the Lady Lobos are going to make Palmview High School history by qualifying for the playoffs. However, she believes that she has the group of girls to do just that. With half of Palmview’s roster made up of seniors and half made up of sophomores and a freshman, it’s going to be up to the veterans to bring the newbies along quickly this season if the Lady Lobos are going to accomplish what Iglesias-Cantu fully expects them to do; extend their season by at least one game by making the playoffs. Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies 2016: 1-11 District 30-6A record, Seventh Place
>> Head Coach: Silvia Rodriguez >> Key Players: Jecelyne Rodriguez, Senior (Hitter), Diana Bustos (Blocker), Ericka Hernandez, Junior (Libero) >> Team Goal: Have a winning district record and make the playoffs. The Lady Huskies may have won only a total of three district games over the past three seasons, but with 10 returning players, three of which were starters, this could be a turn-around season for them. However, Coach Rodriguez will be needing captains Jecelyne Rodriguez, Diana Bustos and Ericka Hernandez to help her keep the team on track week-in and week-out this season. While the Lady Huskies may very well show improvement this year over last year’s one win, last place finish, it’s going to take quite a turn-around for them to emerge as one of the top four teams in the district.
DIG deeper hit with a purpose set high standards block out distractions
play TO WIN
Good Luck To All The Teams!
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Fred Moron, R. Ph. 581-5499 2120 E. Griffin Pkwy. Mission, TX
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SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition
2017 Mission Lady Eagles Volleyball Team
2017 La Joya Lady Coyotes Volleyball Team
2017 Palmview Lady Lobos Volleyball Team
2017 Juarez-Lincoln Lady Huskies Volleyball Team
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SPORTS PREVIEW -
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2017 Fall Edition
2017 Pioneer Lady Diamondbacks Volleyball Team
2017 Sharyland Lady Rattlers Volleyball Team
THE ATHLETE’S PRAYER
LORD, PLEASE CLEAR MY HEAD OF ALL DISTRACTIONS AND MY HEART OF BURDENS I MAY BEAR, SO I MAY PERFORM MY VERY BEST KNOWING YOU’LL ALWAYS BE THERE. PLEASE LIFT ME UP BEFORE THE MOMENT, SO THROUGH YOUR EYES I MAY SEE, AND HAVE A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING AS THE GAME UNFOLDS BEFORE ME. WITH GREAT COURAGE I WILL MEET THIS CHALLENGE AS YOU WOULD HAVE ME TO. BUT KEEP ME HUMBLE AND REMIND ME THAT MY STRENGTH COMES FROM KNOWING YOU.
2017 Veterans Memorial Lady PatriotsVolleyball Team
THEN WHEN ALL EYES ARE UPON ME AT THE END OF THIS GAME I WILL TURN THEIR EYES TO YOU O’ LORD AND TO THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME. AMEN.
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SPORTS PREVIEW -
2017 Fall Edition