Crash-Out Brothers and Flores Lead Vela to Victory
EDINBURG — The season opener between 6A Edinburg North and 5A Edinburg Vela was neck and neck for 46 minutes, until back to back touchdowns by Vela's senior running back Jonathan Flores (20) stretched the final score to 29-10.
The final score doesn't reflect the critical role the Sabercats' defense had in the victory. Vela made stops that turned the tide of the game, particularly in the second half, where they thwarted North in their own territory four times, allowing just a single field goal despite multiple drives into or starting on Vela's side of the field.
PSJA North second half surge buries San Benito
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The first half ended in a 14-14 tie, with both teams trading touchdowns and defensive stops, setting the stage for a competitive second half.
In the third quarter, PSJA North took control with a 1-yard rushing touchdown and later extended their lead to 28-16 after a key interception and another rushing touchdown with a successful two-point conversion.
Inspired Rowe almost completes improbable comeback against South
McAllen Rowe came up short on a two-point conversion with 20 seconds remaining in the game and Harlingen South held on to a 16-14 victory during the team’s mutual season opener Thursday at McAllen Veteran Memorial Stadium.
The fact that Rowe was even in position to tie the game was a testament to the Warriors as they continue to deal with the death of teammate/classmate and friend Adan De La Cruz just a little less than two weeks ago...
Chargers dominate, win season opener
The 2024 football season kicked off this Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr, Texas, where PSJA Memorial met with Brownsville Veterans. Vets took control early thanks to a standout performance by their running back, Cesar Belmontes (15). With approximately nine minutes remaining in the first quarter, Belmontes made a 51-yard rushing touchdown, giving Veterans Memorial a 7-0 lead.
History Makers: McAllen Memorial routs crosstown rival, punches ticket to Sweet 16
McALLEN — Just over 30 years ago McAllen Memorial head coach Roque Cortinas helped guide the Mustangs to the third round of the UIL state playoffs as a player.
The then-junior was a part of the last Mustangs team to qualify for Round 3, with McAllen Memorial last making the round in 1990.
Fast forward 34 years and Cortinas is part of another historic Mustangs run, this time leading McAllen Memorial into the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history following a 12-2 victory over crosstown rival McAllen High on Saturday at McAllen Memorial High School.
Valley athletes battle during Day 2 of state meet
The Rio Grande Valley’s top 2A and 5A athletes took centerstage during Day 2 of the UIL state track and field championships, with more than half of the Valley’s 2024 qualifiers competing.
Day 2 of the state meet offered plenty of action, with some athletes making their state debut, to others competing for the last time in their high school careers.
Here’s a look at how some of the RGV’s competitors performed…
Crowned: RGV athletes shine during Region IV-5A/6A track and field championships
Crowned: RGV athletes shine during Region IV-5A/6A track and feld championships.
The RGV’s best 5A and 6A track and eld athletes took their talents to Heroes Stadium in San Antonio this past weekend, each with the same goal in mind – punching their ticket to state.
By the meet’s end, the RGV’s competitors had captured 11 individual titles and one team championship, while seven other athletes secured state bids with top 2 nishes in their respective events.
McHi, Harlingen High girls dominate Area Meet
HARLINGEN — Shades of purple and red filled the podium after nearly every event during Wednesday and Thursday’s Area 31/32-5A and 6A track and field championships, with McAllen High and Harlingen High’s girls track teams dominating the two-day event.
The Bulldogs and Cardinals combined for 42 total medals during the competition, each finishing as team champions in their respective classes.
Valley All Star Basketball Players Meet at Bert Ogden Arena
La Joya’s Leo Villarreal scored a team-high 12 points and was solid under the boards as the West cruised to a 116-96 win over the East during the All-Valley high school All-star game at Bert Ogden Arena.
Hidalgo’s Lizabeth Luna scored 16 points to pace the West to a 113-71 win in the girls contest.
Mustangs too strong for Victoria West
During this past week, the McAllen Memorial girls soccer team practiced on a grass field to prepare for Friday’s Area Round playoff soccer match against Victoria West. The weren’t sure about how tall the grass would be or if it would be patch field.
It didn’t matter if it was a goat ranch.
After the game was over, it was clear that if Memorial played in a pool filled with sharks or on the side of a steep icy mountain, the outcome would still be the same.
Edinburg Vela SaberCats' season ends in Elite 8
SAN ANTONIO — The Edinburg Vela SaberCats went toe-to-toe against a pair of state-ranked powers at the Region IV-5A tournament in San Antonio this weekend and proved they belong.
The No. 24-ranked SaberCats (36-6) first took care of business 57-46 against the No. 21 San Antonio Wagner Thunderbirds (24-12) on Friday night at Littleton Gym in the Region IV-5A semifinals, riding a strong fourth quarter to victory and clinching a spot in Saturday’s Elite 8.
RGV Volleyball All-Stars
Volleyball fans have seen it hundreds of times over the course of the pass four years – it doesn’t get old.
Hernandez to Torres to Garcia. Point McAllen Memorial. Sometimes, it would be Garcia to Torres to Sosa.
Point Mustangs.
A majority of the points during the past four years at McAllen Memorial had something combination of the group that was labeled the Fab Foursome since their freshmen year.
Those in attendance were treated to seeing play together one more time on the court as part of the Class 5A West team during the 21st RGV Volleyball Tip of Texas Chapter All Star Game on Sunday at McAllen High School.
Eighty-eight players, all seniors, from 65 schools across the Rio Grande Valley competed in the three matches – Sub 5A, 5A and 6A and, while the West captured all three matches, there were individual displays of terrific talent and some eye-opening surprises…
Chargers Join Elite Company, One Win Away from State Title Game
The buzz in the RGV heading into the 2023 high school football season was all about PSJA North. Fans across the area all expected the Raiders to be the last team standing in the Valley and make a historic run to the elusive fifth round.
An RGV football team is on a historic run this postseason, but it isn’t the Raiders.
The Brownsville Veterans Chargers joined elite company last week, defeating Corpus Christi Miller to become just the 16th RGV football team to advance to the state semifinals and the first since the 2003 Port Isabel Tarpons.
Now the Chargers are just one win away from becoming the fourth Valley team to reach to state title game, looking to join the 1961 Donna High Redskins and the 1962 and 1963 PSJA High Bears…
Still Dancing: Chargers Complete Comeback, Upset Miller to Punch Ticket to State Semifinals
BROWNSVILLE — History made.
For the first time in two decades an RGV high school football team is headed to the state semifinals, with the Brownsville Veterans Chargers punching their ticket with a thrilling 35-28 victory over the Corpus Christi Buccaneers on Friday at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville.
The victory sends the Chargers to the Class 5A DI state semifinals for the first time in program history, while also becoming the first team since the 2003 Port Isabel Tarpons to make it to the elusive round.
They’ll take on Smithson Valley in the fifth round at 7 p.m. Friday at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi…
Chargers Head into Regional Championship as RGV’s Last Team
A total of 31 RGV football teams qualified for the Texas high school football playoffs this year. After three grueling weeks of competition, only one remains.
The Brownsville Veterans Chargers are the Valley’s last team standing in this year’s playoffs, advancing to Round 4 of the postseason with a dominating victory over previously state ranked PSJA North.
The Chargers are now looking to go where only a handful of RGV teams have gone now – the state semifinals…
Charged Up: Brownsville Veterans shocks RGV, down state ranked PSJA North in Round 3
PHARR — The Brownsville Veterans Chargers stunned the RGV on Friday, steamrolling the No. 7 state ranked PSJA North Raiders 45-28 during a Region IV-5A semifinal contest at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
The victory punches the Chargers ticket to the fourth round for the first time in program history. They’ll take on Corpus Christi Miller in the Region IV-5A championship at a date, time and location to be determined.
“We’re from Brownsville and a lot of people don’t think much about us,” Brownsville Veterans quarterback Storm Montoya said. “We proved something tonight. We made history for Brownsville. It means a lot, especially with our fans here with us. This victory touched my heart.”
Brownsville Veterans set the tone from their opening drive, taking advantage of a short field and turning it into a quick six points on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Montoya to Gerry Gomez less than two minutes into the contest.
A 70-yard touchdown run by PSJA North sophomore Ethan Guerra tied the game with 7:52 left in the first.
Then, Gilbert Trillo happened…
Chargers, Raiders Set to Face-Off in Round 3 Rematch
A RGV team is guaranteed a spot in the fourth round of the Texas high school football playoffs for a second straight year, with the Brownsville Veterans Chargers and PSJA North Raiders clashing in Round 3 with a spot in the Region IV-5A championship game on the line.
The meeting is a rematch from last year’s regional semifinal contest, which the Raiders won 35-15. Kickoff for Friday’s Region IV-5A semifinal contest is set for 4 p.m. at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
The game features two of the hottest teams in the Valley, with the Chargers entering the game riding an eight-game winning streak, while the Raiders coming into the contest 12-0...
San Antonio Brennan Bears Triumph Over PSJA High School Bears in Area Matchup, 36-14
PHARR, TEXAS - PSJA High School Bears and the San Antonio Brennan Bears met Friday night under the wet skies, in the battle of the Bears. The first quarter was marked by a seesaw of touchdowns, with both teams locked in a 7-7 tie. As the game progressed into the second quarter, the San Antonio Brennan Bears seized control, amassing 14 more points and heading into halftime with a commanding 21-7 lead…
Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers Secure Area-Round Victory over CC Veterans
In a gritty battle at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers emerged triumphant, defeating Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial 17-7 and clinching a second consecutive area-round win. The victory holds special significance for the Chargers as they had previously not secured a win against the defending Region IV-5A champs, making this a historic night for the team…
PSJA North Dominates Victoria East 42-7, Advances to Region IV-5A DI Semifinals
In a victory that left no questions, the PSJA North Raiders asserted their dominance over Victoria East with a resounding 42-7 victory in the Region IV-5A DI area-round playoff game at Phil Danaher Stadium in Corpus Christi. Opting to defer and unleash their formidable defense, the Raiders set the tone early, securing their ticket to the regional semifinals for the third consecutive season…