Sixtum Sports
-
Sixtum Sports -
MISSION — A week after one of its biggest wins of the season, Sharyland head coach Craig Krell wanted to make sure his Rattlers did not lose focus.
They did not.
Sharyland jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and handled Juarez-Lincoln 24-2 during its Homecoming game Friday at Richard Thompson Stadium, keeping the Rattlers unbeaten in District 16-5A Division II.
The win improved Sharyland to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in district play while extending its winning streak to four games. Juarez-Lincoln fell to 5-3 overall.
For Krell, the response was particularly important after Sharyland’s 37-29 win over Mission Veterans a week earlier.
“You know, after a big win like Mission Vets, you always worry that the kids are going to kind of lose focus and not stay tuned in to everything going on,” Krell said. “I thought we did a good job. We wanted to come out, make sure that we set the tempo and set the tone to begin with. We started out 21-0 in the first half, so I thought the kids did a good job of responding to what we wanted them to respond to.”
PHARR — Harlingen High backup quarterback Alexester Serna Jr. spent all week long in limbo, with the status of starting quarterback Hassan Woolery in question due to injury.
Prior to kickoff Friday, the junior was told he’d see a majority of the snaps against top ranked PSJA North.
Serna did what was asked of him with his number called, leading a pair of scoring drives, while the defense forced five turnovers as the Cardinals stunned the Raiders 15-9 during a District 32-6A contest Friday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
“It’s déjà vu,” Gomez said. “The same thing happened back in like the 90s. His dad was on my staff and he had to come in and play because the 6-foot-3 quarterback broke his thumb. His name was Nate Morton. He came in and led us 2-3 rounds into the playoffs. It’s beautiful. It’s awesome to see that happen with dad and son.”
EDINBURG - Weslaco High senior Seth Moya hadn’t played a lot of running back prior to the team’s game against PSJA North.
That hasn’t stopped him from dominating on offense, continuing his breakout offensive campaign with over 170 yards and two touchdowns on the ground during the Panthers 64-21 win over Edinburg Economedes on Thursday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
“He’s worked so hard, especially in the summer,” Weslaco High head coach Roy Stroman said. “We knew he was special. We’re just trying to squeeze as much as we can out of these seniors and he’s one of them. He’s one of our leaders on the offensive side and the defensive side. He’s just a great kid and he’s playing exceptionally well.”
PHARR — Pioneer head coach Eddie Galindo said sometimes it takes a setback to make a comeback.
One week after being held to 10 points in a loss to Cigarroa, the Diamondbacks responded.
Senior quarterback Malakai Galindo threw three touchdown passes, Cole Scurlock scored twice and Pioneer’s defense kept the Javelina’s rushing attack under control in a 34-10 victory over PSJA Southwest on Thursday at PSJA Stadium.
The win moved Pioneer to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in District 16-5A Division II, while Southwest fell to 4-4 and 0-4 in district.
“Sometimes it takes a setback to make a comeback,” Eddie Galindo said. “I think they rebounded well. They worked hard. They had a positive attitude, and I was happy with the week of practice and I was happy with their performance tonight.”
McALLEN — Seven games into the season, McAllen High has yet to lose.
Four times, its defense has pitched a shutout, marking McAllen’s first season with at least four shutouts since 1979.
The Bulldogs continued their unbeaten run Friday night, overwhelming Palmview 55-0 at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium behind six touchdown passes from junior quarterback Luke Laurel, five touchdown receptions from senior Joaquin Alvarez and another dominant performance from a defense that has become one of the defining pieces of McAllen’s season.
McAllen improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in District 16-5A Division I, remaining alone atop the district standings. Palmview dropped to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in district.
For senior linebacker Hayden Helgeson, the formula behind the Bulldogs’ defensive success is not complicated.
“It comes from practice,” Helgeson said. “It comes from Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. We grind all week during practice. Every single day of practice was physical. All of our guys were working. We were working against the offense, the offense was working against us. It really just takes practice. That’s where it all comes from.”
MISSION — A week after one of its biggest wins of the season, Sharyland head coach Craig Krell wanted to make sure his Rattlers did not lose focus.
They did not.
Sharyland jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead and handled Juarez-Lincoln 24-2 during its Homecoming game Friday at Richard Thompson Stadium, keeping the Rattlers unbeaten in District 16-5A Division II.
The win improved Sharyland to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in district play while extending its winning streak to four games. Juarez-Lincoln fell to 5-3 overall.
For Krell, the response was particularly important after Sharyland’s 37-29 win over Mission Veterans a week earlier.
“You know, after a big win like Mission Vets, you always worry that the kids are going to kind of lose focus and not stay tuned in to everything going on,” Krell said. “I thought we did a good job. We wanted to come out, make sure that we set the tempo and set the tone to begin with. We started out 21-0 in the first half, so I thought the kids did a good job of responding to what we wanted them to respond to.”
PHARR — Harlingen High backup quarterback Alexester Serna Jr. spent all week long in limbo, with the status of starting quarterback Hassan Woolery in question due to injury.
Prior to kickoff Friday, the junior was told he’d see a majority of the snaps against top ranked PSJA North.
Serna did what was asked of him with his number called, leading a pair of scoring drives, while the defense forced five turnovers as the Cardinals stunned the Raiders 15-9 during a District 32-6A contest Friday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
“It’s déjà vu,” Gomez said. “The same thing happened back in like the 90s. His dad was on my staff and he had to come in and play because the 6-foot-3 quarterback broke his thumb. His name was Nate Morton. He came in and led us 2-3 rounds into the playoffs. It’s beautiful. It’s awesome to see that happen with dad and son.”
EDINBURG - Weslaco High senior Seth Moya hadn’t played a lot of running back prior to the team’s game against PSJA North.
That hasn’t stopped him from dominating on offense, continuing his breakout offensive campaign with over 170 yards and two touchdowns on the ground during the Panthers 64-21 win over Edinburg Economedes on Thursday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
“He’s worked so hard, especially in the summer,” Weslaco High head coach Roy Stroman said. “We knew he was special. We’re just trying to squeeze as much as we can out of these seniors and he’s one of them. He’s one of our leaders on the offensive side and the defensive side. He’s just a great kid and he’s playing exceptionally well.”
PHARR — Pioneer head coach Eddie Galindo said sometimes it takes a setback to make a comeback.
One week after being held to 10 points in a loss to Cigarroa, the Diamondbacks responded.
Senior quarterback Malakai Galindo threw three touchdown passes, Cole Scurlock scored twice and Pioneer’s defense kept the Javelina’s rushing attack under control in a 34-10 victory over PSJA Southwest on Thursday at PSJA Stadium.
The win moved Pioneer to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in District 16-5A Division II, while Southwest fell to 4-4 and 0-4 in district.
“Sometimes it takes a setback to make a comeback,” Eddie Galindo said. “I think they rebounded well. They worked hard. They had a positive attitude, and I was happy with the week of practice and I was happy with their performance tonight.”
Rowe bounced back from its loss to McAllen with its most complete performance of the season, shutting out Palmview 33-0.
The Warriors’ defense pressured Palmview throughout the night, finishing with four sacks and two interceptions while recording its first shutout of the season. Rowe’s offense added three touchdown passes as the Warriors improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in district. Palmview also sits at 3-3 and 2-1 after suffering its first district loss.
The result keeps Rowe firmly involved behind unbeaten McAllen in the District 16-5A Division I race.
HARR — PSJA North spent the last four years dominating the competition at the Class 5A level. The Raiders amassed a 29-1 district record during their four seasons in 15-5A DI.
Realignment moved PSJA North back to Class 6A for the first time since the 2021 season, leaving many wondering how the Raiders would fare against the competition.
PSJA North delivered a statement win to those in question Friday, dominating the reigning district champion Los Fresnos Falcons 41-3 during their 32-6A opener at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
“It felt great, especially it being our home opener for district,” PSJA North defensive tackle Rey Martinez said. “It felt great being back home. What we saw on the field, it gave us an edge going more into district. Feels great that we won, and we’re ready to go for next week.”
MISSION — Mission Veterans entered Friday night as one of the stronger teams in the Rio Grande Valley, riding a four-game winning streak and unbeaten in district play.
Sharyland ended both.
Sophomore quarterback William Taylor accounted for five touchdowns, the Rattlers created key turnovers and converted two fake punts in a 37-29 victory over the Patriots at Tom Landry Stadium.
The win moved Sharyland to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in District 16-5A Division II, one week after the Rattlers defeated Roma. Mission Veterans fell to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in district.
“I think this is huge,” Sharyland head coach Craig Krell said. “Patriots, I said it earlier in the day, I think Patriots probably have the toughest non-district schedule out of anybody in the Valley. And for them to come away with only one loss, it showed how good of a team they are.”
ALAMO — With the game on the line and less than two minutes remaining, McAllen Memorial went back to what it does best.
Run the football.
Senior running back Braxton Speights scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the night with 10 seconds remaining, capping a late go-ahead drive and lifting the Mustangs past PSJA Memorial 42-38 in a District 16-5A DI thriller Thursday night.
The victory moved McAllen Memorial to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in district play, giving the Mustangs back-to-back wins after snapping a three-game skid with a 75-49 victory over Rio Grande City.
Sixtum Sports - Highlighting the Best of RGV Athletics
McALLEN — Seven games into the season, McAllen High has yet to lose.
Four times, its defense has pitched a shutout, marking McAllen’s first season with at least four shutouts since 1979.
The Bulldogs continued their unbeaten run Friday night, overwhelming Palmview 55-0 at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium behind six touchdown passes from junior quarterback Luke Laurel, five touchdown receptions from senior Joaquin Alvarez and another dominant performance from a defense that has become one of the defining pieces of McAllen’s season.
McAllen improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in District 16-5A Division I, remaining alone atop the district standings. Palmview dropped to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in district.
For senior linebacker Hayden Helgeson, the formula behind the Bulldogs’ defensive success is not complicated.
“It comes from practice,” Helgeson said. “It comes from Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. We grind all week during practice. Every single day of practice was physical. All of our guys were working. We were working against the offense, the offense was working against us. It really just takes practice. That’s where it all comes from.”