High School Sports Magazine-November 2005 Issue

RGV HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE is published monthly, beginning in August through June with extra issues printed in Novem-ber, and January, with a total combine issue of 13 by HSSM Media Communications L.L.C., located at our Corporate Home Office, 2416 Frontera Road, McAllen, Texas 78504. David A. Amador, Publisher/CEO; Julian Garcia, Executive Vice President, CFO. U.S. subscriptions are available annually for 13 issues/$29.95 plus postage and handling of $2.95 per issue. 2005 Copyright HSSM Media Communications L.L.C.. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Mexico.

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VOLUME 1 ISSUE NO.4

On a war path...Pictured is PSJA OL Juan Villanueva with his Warrior Mohawk haircut. The Bears advanced to the Region IV finals after clawing Laredo United in the second round of the State 5A Division II playoffs.

VOLUME 1 ISSUE NO.4

HSSM Photo by DAVID A. AMADOR QB Robert Sanchez, Harlingen

Next issue: Dec. 26th!Next issue: Dec. 26th!

On the COVER...On the COVER...

Inside... 6

Drawing the Imagenary Lines In Sports for Recruiting Pur-poses

Players Like WinningEditorial/Opinion

Inside... 6

Drawing the Imagenary LinesIn Sports for Recruiting Pur-poses.

Players Like WinningEditorial/Opinion

Player of the Week

Texas Downs 12th Man

Top Valley Football players get spotlight for achievements

Horns Clinch South Big 12 Title Crown; Big 12 Cham-pionship Game Next

MVEC Awards

Big 12 Conference

27

30 Texas Downs 12th ManHorns Clinch South Big 12 Title Crown; Big 12 Cham-pionship Game Next

Big 12 Conference

Player of the WeekTop Valley Football players get spotlight for achievements

MVEC Awards 27

30

November 26-December 25, 2005November 26-December 25, 2005

Pictured is PSJA OL Juan Villanueva with his Warrior Mohawk haircut. The Bears advanced to the Region IV finals after clawing Laredo United in the second round of the State 5A Division II playoffs.

On a war path...

7 7Both teams vying for a spotin the State 5A semifinals

Harlingen vs JudsonState 5A Division I

Both teams vying for a spotin the State 5A semifinals

Harlingen vs JudsonState 5A Division I

13 13Both teams vying for a spotin the State 5A Regional Fi-nals

PSJA vs SA MadisonState 5A Division II

Both teams vying for a spotin the State 5A Regional Fi-nals

PSJA vs SA MadisonState 5A Division II

Be Like MikeHere are some tips on how to jump higher

Get The Ultimate Fitness 34 Be Like MikeHere are some tips on how to jump higher

Get The Ultimate Fitness 34

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EditorialHSSM Views

Crossing the Boundaries

6 www.hssmOnline.com November 2005

How tempting is it for an athlete to cross the school district boundaries for athletic purposes? This is a common sight in today’s society. Each boundary is draw and set by the each school district and of course, the University of Interscholastic League By-Laws? School districts with high schools such as Harlingen South, PSJA North, McAllen Memorial, and recently, PSJA Memorial have been faced with athletes who have been involved with crossing the lines to play for a better team. This year, it cost Harlingen South one game. This game caused the Hawks to miss the playoffs. At PSJA Memorial, their starting quarterback decided to transfer to PSJA North. He was rule ineligible to play any sport for the rest of the year. Is this punishment too harsh? No! In other instances, high school athletes would transfer from one school to another and live with relatives, friends, or even house their own residence so that they can play for teams of their own choice. Is this right? No. Imagine this. Cities such as Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, all live with school districts next to one another. The only thing that separates these schools are the imaginary boundaries. Some boundaries resemble the political “salamanders” that are mapped by our own politicians in this great state. As we grow, the temptations only get worse for players and yes, even high school coaches

who try to encourage a top athlete to cross the boundaries. In some cases, a top athlete who has a parent who teaches or coaches can be hired by another school district. Here’s the best part, by UIL standards , they will allow this move in order for the athlete to be with his/her parent. Schools should be punished for knowingly allowing students to transfer in for athletic purposes. As the Rio Grande Valley grows, the

boundaries grow closer together. If schools expect to eliminate this problem, they must address each problem. First start with coaches who have lost that “winning feeling” and replace them with another. Second, punish students who will cross the lines with their parents influence. Our athletes need to understand that wherever they may live, that’s the school they will attend. But let’s give these students what they deserve because no one likes playing for coaches who keep losing. Go to www. uil.utexas.edu for more information.

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Harlingen vs Converse Judson David A. Amador

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Taken Down! Jo Jo Ortiz of La Joya (9-3) was held to 91 total rushing yards as the Harlingen Cardinals (10-2) beat the Coyotes 36-13 in the State 5A Division I Re-gional IV finals. They will now play Converse Judson at Javelina Stadium. Kick off is set for 6:00 p.m., Friday November 25th. (David Amador/HSSM PHOTO)

(Harlingen, Tx)- For the record, the Converse Judson Rockets have won six State 5A Championships; have made eight State 5A Final appearances; and they boast nine consecutive State 5A semifinal appearances. The last time the Rockets won the State 5A title was in 2002 when they beat Midland 33-32 on a last kickoff return to win the game with no time left to play. That was then, this is now. The Rockets (8-4) travel again to South Texas, but this time to Kingsville where they will meet the Harlingen Cardinals in the Class 5A Division I Quarterfinals. Last year, the La Joya Coyotes lost to Judson in La Joya 43-14. So how strong are the Cardinals? “They kicked our butts”, said La Joya head coach Oscar Villasenor after losing to Harlingen 36-13 in the Class 5A Division I Regional finals on Friday night. “Anytime an opponent’s defense controls the line of scrimmage, you will win games. They (Cardinals) did a heck of job. I wish them the best in the playoffs”, added Villasenor. The Harlingen Cardinals (10-2) came into this game ready to intimidate the Coyotes (9-3) from the start by warming up during pre-game workouts facing the Coyote home side by actually running sprints towards the stands. This drew “boos” for the Cardinals, but that did not seem to bother head coach Randy Cretors. “We came here to win tonight. We know they played in the State 5A quarterfinals last year. We would like to be that team tonight”, said Cretors prior to kickoff.

Class 5A Division I Quarter Finals

10-2

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Puro Big Bird! Junior RB Justin Hernandez of Harlin-gen dominated the La Joya Coyotes 36-13 and he will now lead his Cardinals in their State 5A Quarter finals matchup against Converse Judson at Javelina Stadium. Kick off is set for 6:00 p.m., Friday November 25th.

(David Amador/HSSM PHOTO)

November www.hssmOnline.com 9

The Cardinal (10-2) game plan worked. Harlingen’s defense limited La Joya to 177 yards of total offense, including Jo Jo Ortiz’s 91 yards total rushing efforts for the evening. He came into the game with 547 yards rushing and five touchdowns. The Coyotes were limited to 44 yards at the half, including 8 yards during the second quarter. Junior running back, Justin Hernandez took care of the rest. Hernandez finished with 156 yards and one TD rushing, along with catching a 6-yard TD during the fourth quarter. The Harlingen Cardinals could be the team to unseat the Judson Rockets in 2005. The Rockets have struggled in the playoffs this year, barely getting past Seguin 21-0 and then squeaking past San Antonio O’Connor 30-28 in the regional finals last week. O’Connor almost pulled off the upset but were stopped in the end.

The Cardinals have been impressive in the playoffs by beating Edinburg 21-13 and then spanking La Joya 36-13, with most of the second offense playing in the fourth quarter. The Rockets did experience a major set back that kept many Rocket fans wondering if they would make the playoffs after

losing back-to-back district games to SA Churchill (0-14) and then SA Madison (14-23). Converse Judson made the playoffs with a 4-3 record in District 26-5A. At one point, they were 2-3 in the standings. The winner of this game will advance to the State 5A Semifinals and will take on the winner of the

Regular SeasonLaredo NixonCopperas CovePflugervilleSA LeeSB Smithson ValleySA RooseveltSA ChurchillSA MadisonSA MacArthurSA Reagan

State 5A Division I playoffs: Bi-District Seguin 21-0 Regionals SA O’Connor 30-28Quarter Finals Harlingen ?

Score63-1319-2022-1348-0 7-2123-8 0-1414-2321-038-13

Converse Judson 8-4

Rockets

Cypress-Fair/Westfield High matchup next week. If Harlingen wins, that game could be hosted in the Valley if the Cretors decides to flip for home field advantage. “Judson will be a test for our team and we are excited about being here,” said Harlingen head coach, Randy Cretors.

Go Harlingen Cardinals!hssmOnline.com


Go Harlingen Cardinals! State 5A Div I Qtr-finalsBeat Converse Judson

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2005November www.hssmOnline.com 1110 www.hssmOnline.com November 2005


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Class 5A Division II Playoffs: PSJA 26 Laredo Nixon 22

(Laredo, Tx-)Many PSJA Bear fans may have been stressed out this past Friday night, but blaming head football coach Mel Rios would only lead to infractions. Positive ones too. “The players wanted this game real bad. They wanted to go for it all the way. I went with their call”, says Rios. For the first time since 1990, the Bears have advanced past the second round of the State 5A playoffs by defeating the Laredo Nixon Mustangs 26-22 in Division II. With the Bears already in the red zone and driving, many fans would have assumed that kicking the field goal would have been a sure shot from the one yard line. Not true. Many football teams have lost many games with a missed goal. In this case, with all the momentum going PSJA’s way with only 15 seconds left, and trailing by two, the Bears decided to go for the rush up the middle. The play: a 33-lead with fullback Marco Garcia taking it in. For Garcia, it is now his dream come true. A touchdown that he will never forget. A win that propels the Bears into the third round of the State 5A Division II Regional Semi Finals. The win sends the Bears (10-2) back to Laredo next week, when they’ll play San Antonio Madison at the Student Activity Center. The game is tentatively scheduled for 7:00 p.m. this Friday night. Garcia capped the night with 25 takes for 129 yards and a perfect 17-play, 78-yard game-winning march that chewed off more than six minutes. The drive included 16 rushing plays.”They changed their game plan from passing to running”, said Nixon head coach Joel Lopez.

Bears Plow In For Win

Mel Rios, head football coach of PSJA will take his Bears to meet SA Madison on Friday night in Laredo. (HSSM Photo/D. Amador)


Class 4A Division II Playoffs: Edcouch Elsa 31 Beeville Jones 15

Ronnie Villalpando, sophomore running back will lead Edcouch-Elsa against New Braunfels Canyon in the Class 4A Division II Regional IV Semi finals. (Tony Williams/HSSM PHOTO)

E-E to meet New Braunfels Canyon(Robstown, Texas) - La Maquina Amarilla (12-0) will play finally on a Thanksgiving Day Weekend, setting up a possible showdown with Calallen (11-1) next week in the State 4A Division II quarterfinals. But for now, the Edcouch Elsa Yellow Jackets continued their dominance in Class 4A Division II with another playoff victory by rolling past Beeville Jones 31-15 after a dismal first half start in the area championships. The E-E’s defense intercepted Beeville Jones quarterback Eric Soza four times and shut out the Trojans in the second half as the Yellowjackets advanced to the Class 4A regional semifinals. E-E (12-0) now plays New Braunfels Canyon on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi. The Yellowjackets will face a team that has scored 456 points in 12 games and has allowed 184 points all season long. The Cougars have had trouble in the playoffs barely escaping Kerrville Tivy 30-27 and against Austin Johnson, their defense allowed 21 points despite their 42-21 win last week. E-E defensively, held Gregory Portland to one touchdown and they also shut down Beeville Jones in the second half by allowing just 45 yards of total offensive. With the Jackets trying not to look ahead to their much anticipated matchup with Calallen, Solis knows that his

offense averaging 341.0 yards per game, most of those yards have come on the ground where they plow the fields with 234 yards an outing. Beeville Jones was ranked No.14 in total offense with 335.0 yards and 230.0 yards rushing. So pretty much, both teams will face a tough Yellowjacket defense. If the Cougars expect to advance any further

in the playoffs, first they must stop junior quarterback Rubio who has passed for more than 1,500 yards and has scored more than 25 air strikes. He also has rushed for 500 plus yards on the ground. Wide receivers Michael Prieto and B.J. Rowell also give the Yellow jackets a much balanced attack to compliment sophomore running back Ronnie Villalpando on offense.

We are a physical team. We have the motivation going for us...” Joe Solis Ed-Elsa

Head coachdefense will be tested this week. “They play good ball. I feel that our kids will match up pretty good to New Braunfels Canyon. We are a physical team. We have the motivation going for us,” said Solis. The Cougars are led by quarterback J.D. Kunz, who has passed for almost 1,000 yards and runs the ball well, with some 420 yards on the ground. In the backfield, Chase Wilke is the workhorse rushing for 24 touchdowns and 1,640 yards on 244 carries. The Cougars are ranked No.12 in state on


PanthersFumble toFalcons

Class 5A Division II Playoffs: Los Fresnos 44 Weslaco 41 (2OT)

Falcon Quarterback, senior Brandon Kretz led his team to their first ever 5A State playoff appearance in Los Fresnos school’s history. (David Amador/HSSM PHOTO)

(Weslaco,Tx)-Prior to the Weslaco-Los Fresnos match up, Panther head football coach Tony Villarreal knew that this game would end up being a nail biter. In the end, he was right too. The Weslaco Panthers, making their first playoff appearance since 1998, lost in double overtime to Los Fresnos in the first round of the State 5A Division II Bi-District playoffs 44-41. The Falcons (9-2) will now meet Laredo Nixon (9-2), 32-28 winners over McAllen Memorial in Rio Grande City on Friday night at Sanchez Stadium. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. It was a banner year for Villarreal and his Panthers. While many fans might have doubted his coaching abilities from the start of the season, head coach Tony Villarreal was able to gain the hearts and souls of every Panther die hard fan on this Friday night.

“Both teams played one heck of a game. I’m real proud of our boys. Our hats off to Los Fresnos and we only wish them good luck in the playoffs...”

The Weslaco Panthers (7-4) spotted the Falcons 21 points at the end of the first half, trailing 27-7 but Villarreal watched his team come from behind to tie the game at 27-27. The crucial extra point was no good. Could this have been the pivotal point? “In the playoffs, every point makes a difference,” added Villarreal. On the other side of the field, a stunned but calm Falcon head coach, Scott Ford watched as the Panthers missed the extra point which

Tony VillarrealWeslaco Panther

Head Coach

Looking for yards! AlfonzoNarvaez of Weslaco rushed for 204 yards in the Panthers 44-41 2OT loss to Los Fresnos in the Class 5A Division II Bi-District playoffs. (David Amador/HSSM PHOTO)


The Winning Kick... David A. Amador/HSSM Photos

Falcon QB Brandon Kretz takes the snap... Falcon kicker Pablo Degollado delivers... It’s Good! Los Fresnos beats Weslaco in 44-41

Scott Ford, Los Fresnos head coach looks on as the game winning kick in double-overtime is good. The Falcons advanced to the second round of the State 5A Division II playoffs. (David Amador/HSSM PHOTO)

would have put the Panthers up 28-27. “That was a relief. The missed point under these conditions was pivotal,” said Ford. Weslaco scored with 3:07 left to play on a 4th and 3 situation at the Falcons 15 yard line making the score 34-27. One Weslaco fan stated, “we should have made the first down and then run down the clock and try and kick the winning field goal.” For Los Fresnos, this only proved to be an opportunity. The Falcons used their two-minute offense to tie the game at 34-all with only :38 seconds left in the game. At the end, in double overtime, Panther RB Alfonso Navarez, who rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns, fumbled the ball in the second overtime. The Falcons recovered. A few plays later, Pablo Degollado kicked the game winning field goal from 36 yards out. “Both teams played one heck of a game. I’m real proud of our boys. Our hats off to Los Fresnos and we only wish them good luck in the playoffs,” said Villarreal.




Track Ends for Hounds

HSSM Photo/Tony Williams


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Class 5A Division II Playoffs: PSJA 24 San Benito 11

Track Ends for Hounds

Greyhound running back Ernie Tamez is chased by PSJA linebacker David Ayala. The Bears advanced to the second round of the State 5A Division II playoffs with their 24-11 win over San Benito.

(Tony Williams/HSSM PHOTO)

Bears Advance to the Class 5A Division II Area Round

(San Benito,Tx)-“I see yellow flags” could have been the only words head football coach Mario Pena of San Benito could have said as he watched, for the second time this season, the PSJA Bears (9-2) defeat his Greyhounds, but this time in the Class 5A Division II bi-district championships 24-11. Head football coach Mario Pena of San Benito did not expect or even anticipate the early destruction of his dogs. On the first play from scrimmage, PSJA scored on a 74-yard touchdown bomb from Adrian Garza to Rigo De la Cerda. San Benito (6-5) answered with a 28-yard field goal from Eliezer Sanchez after a 58-yard kickoff return by Marco Gonzalez.and again, then capitalized on a Greyhound fumble at the Bear 2-yard line with 4:00 left in the first quarter to make it 14-0. The Greyhounds were penalized 12 times in the second half for 111 yards.

Class 5A Division II Playoffs: McAllen Memorial 28 Laredo Nixon 32

Ohh, So Close Stangs! Rattlers Season Ends

McAllen Memorial Mustangs Senior team are pictured kneeling l-r Roger Cantu and Andy Medina. Back row l-r are John Halligan, Jake Honeycutt, Jon Ray Dougherty, and Danny Roman. (HSSM Photo/David A. Amador)

(McAllen, Tx)-For the next eight months, McAllen Memorial head football coach Bill Littleton will be asked over and over, the same question: Why did you elect to go for it on fourth down, ahead by two points, and at mid field with less than two minutes to play in a State 5A playoff game? His answer would probaly start with one word, “if”. The McAllen Memorial Mustangs gambled their way out of the playoffs losing to Laredo Nixon 32-28 in the Class 5A Division II Bi-District championships. After a failed fourth down and five yards to go pass from QB Mitchell Bunger at Nixon’s 48-yard line, the other Mustangs took over with much to their surprise trailing 26-28 with great field position. “I was surprised that he (Littleton) made that call. I would have punted and put us deep in our own field,” said Nixon coach Joel Lopez. Stephens ended the night as the No.1 running back in Class 5A with 2,630 yards on 244 carries in just ten games, Against Nixon, he was held to 38 yards in the first half. Stephens, who will be back next year, broke the all-time single season rushing record set by Harlingen Cardinal Maurice Hunter of 2, 524 yards in 13 games. The Mustangs surprised teams like Edinburg, McHi, and Nikki Rowe, improving from a 3-7 season turn around from 2004. Next year Bunger and Stephens will return to lead the Mustangs in District 30-5A.

32-5A District Standings

Harlingen 8-2 7-1 Los Fresnos 8-2 6-2 San Benito 6-4 4-3 Bro Pace 6-4 4-3 Harlingen So 6-4 4-3 Bro Rivera 6-4 3-4 Bro Hanna 3-7 1-4 Bro Porter 2-8 0-7

Season District

2005 record listed


Ed-Elsa 10-0 7-0 PSJA Mem 9-1 6-1 Bro Lopez 5-5 4-3 Mercedes 5-5 3-4 Mission 4-6 3-4 Mission Vet 3-7 3-4 Roma 0-10 0-7

RGV High School SportsMagazine Final District Standings

Season District

2005 record listed


Rio Hondo 9-1 6-0 Hidalgo 5-5 5-1 Port Isabel 4-6 4-2 Lyford 5-5 2-4 La Feria 2-5 2-4 Raymondville 1-9 1-5 Progreso 0-10 0-6

Season District

2005 record listed


1. La Joya 8-2 5-0 2. Sharyland 8-2 4-1 3. Memorial 6-3 3-2 4. McHi 3-7 2-3 5. RGC 2-8 1-4 6. Rowe 1-9 0-5

RGV High School SportsMagazine Final District standings

Season District

2005 record listed


PSJA 8-2 6-0 Edinburg 5-5 5-1 Weslaco 7-3 3-3 PSJA North 4-6 2-4 Ed North 3-7 2-4 Economedes 2-8 2-4 Donna 2-8 2-4

Season District

2005 record listed


1. La Villa 7-3 5-1 2. Santa Rosa 6-4 3-2 3. Hebbronville 8-2 5-1 4. Premont 5-5 1-4 5. Rivera Kaufer 1-9 1-5 6. Bishop 0-7 0-3

Season District

2005 record listedhssmOnline.comLog on right now at,

Ohh, So Close Stangs!Class 5A Division II Playoffs: Laredo United 52 Sharyland 36

Rattlers Season Ends

Trevor Ibison Jonathon Sarver Michael Sanchez





(Mission, Tx)- The Laredo United Longhorns did what was expected of them: pass, pass, and pass. Longhorn quarterback David Garza passed for a career-best 400 yards to lead his team past the Sharyland Rattlers in the Class 5A Division II Bi-District championships 55-36. Garza, the 3rd leading passer in Class 5A with 2,925 yards ended Sharyland’s hopes of advancing to the second round and he also gave his team a record-victory which puts this team in the school’s history books as the first to win in the postseason. “This is a really big win for our school,” third year United coach and David Sanchez said. United also defeated Los

Fresnos in the area championships to up their overall record to 11-1 and advance in the third round. Sharyland (7-4), enjoyed their banner year, especially when they replaced McAllen Memorial in the 30-5A standings in overtime last week.

The Rattlers were holding a slim lead after Tony Baiveri scored on a 4-yard plunge with 5:25 remaining to make it 8-7. Then United came alive with two touchdowns and one successful point-after attempt to take a 20-8 lead into the locker room.

For the Longhorns, Garza (15-24-2) did what he always does best passing for three touchdown passes from 40, 46 and 65 yards out. He also added two touchdown runs. Sharyland senior running back Waldo Garza rushed for 131 yards and Baiyeri added 114 yards.


Go Cardinals! QB Rob-ert Sanchez finds extra yardage. The Cards eliminated the Edinburg Bobcats from the first round of the State 5A Division I playoffs.(Tony Williams/HSSM PHOTO)

Class 5A Division I Playoffs: Harlingen 21 Edinburg 13

Cardinals Fly Past BobcatsHarlingen - Head football coach Robert Vela wanted this rematch, so Cardinal head coach Randy Cretors made sure that he would not disappoint either as they were victors for the second time this year over the Edinburg Bobcats 21-13, in the bi-district round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs Friday night at Boggus Stadium. For Cretors, he was simply amazed with this Bobcat team. “I’ve got to tip my hat to Edinburg,” said Harlingen head coach Randy Cretors. “They came in here with a great game plan. We were able

to move the ball some, but we were never able to get a rhythm going. Our defense played superb in the first half and did a good job in the second half.” With the victory, the Cardinals earn a rematch against La Joya in La Joya next Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Coyotes

eliminated the Cardinals, 34-27, at the same stage last season. The Bobcats took a slim 13-7 lead, following touchdown passes of 31 yards to Steven Almaguer and 50 yards to Jesse Galvan from quarterback Bobby Trevino but Cardinal defensive end Levi Lumbreras recovered a

Trevino fumble at the 44 to give the Cardinals a reprieve. “That was the key to the game,” said Vela. “We had our opportunities, but we shot ourselves in the foot. Harlingen is too good of a team for us to make mistakes and give them a second chance.” “A win is still a win,” said Randy Cretors.

“TDDAVE” Amador met Dallas Cowboy fullback Lousaka Polite recently at a au-tograph session held at Fanatics Sports Bar and Grill in Mission. “Mr. Polite is a great person to talk too. Fans here really liked him,” says HSSM Publisher, Amador.

(HSSM Photo/Bernie Saenz)


Players of the MonthIn Week 12, junior quarterback George Rubio passed for 204 yards and rushed for another 68 yards in their first round win over Gregory Portland. This marked the first time since 1998 that the Edcouch Elsa Yellowjackets have won a Bi-District Championship title in Class 4A Division II.

In Week 12, tailback Jesus Olvera rushed for 177 yards and three touchdowns, caught a 25-yard touchdown pass and then threw a 63-yard halfback option scoring strike to Marty Garza as Hidalgo captured their first Class 3A Division I Bi-District title over Zapata. He finished with 320 all-purpose yards for the night.

In Week 12, McAllen Memorial junior running back, Bradley Stephens rushed for 190 yards to surpass the all-time single season rushing mark set by Maurice Hunter of 2, 524 yards in 13 games. The new record of 2,622 in just 10 games ranks him first in the Class 5A amongst the Texas elite. The Mustangs lost their first round game to Laredo Nixon 32-28 in Class 5A Division II action.

In Week 12, Panther RB Alfonzo Narvaez rushed for 204 yards in Weslaco’s 44-41 double-overtime loss to Los Fresnos. Narvaez also added three touchdowns for the evening as the Panthers made the playoffs after a seven-year drought.

In Week 12, La Joya running back Jo Jo Ortiz rushed for three touchdowns and 301 yards on the ground, leading the Coyotes to a 24-7 win over Eagle Pass in the first round of the State 5A Division I playoffs.

In Week 13, Harlingen place kicker Johnny Guillen kicked three field goals, two from 32 yards and 25 yards to give the Cardinals all the momentum they needed to defeat the La Joya Coyotes 36-13 in the Class 5A Division I Regional championships.

In Week 13, the entire PSJA Bear team stood together to witness one of the biggest play calls ever to get called on to decide the outcome of one game: 33-lead with fullback Marco Garcia taking the ball. Backed by every Bear player and the consequences it carried, the call paid off. PSJA wins 26-22 over Laredo Nixon in the second round of the State 5A Division II Area Championships. This award goes to the entire team. Go job!

All winners will be awarded the RGV High School Sports Magazine/MVEC Football Player of the Week awards to be presented at each campus. Congratulations!

Cardinals Fly Past Bobcats

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RGV HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE is published monthly, beginning in August through June with extra issues printed in November, and

January, with a total combine issue of 13 by HSSM Media Communications L.L.C., located at our Corporate Home Office, 2416 Frontera Road,

McAllen, Texas 78504. David A. Amador, Publisher/CEO; Julian Garcia, Executive Vice President, CFO. U.S. subscriptions are available annually

for 13 issues/$29.95 plus postage and handling of $2.95 per issue.

2005 Copyright HSSM Media Communications L.L.C.. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole

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Laredo— What a win. What a night. Way to go “La Maquina Amarilla! Edcouch-Elsa pounded Gregory-Portland with a 24-7 win Friday night in the bi-district round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs at Shirley Field. For head coach Joe Solis of the Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets, he could only express joy and happiness. “It’s unbelievable,” third-year E-E coach Joe Solis said. “These guys will always be r e m e m b e r e d as the ones that broke the barrier.” E-E (11-0) now advances to the area round to face the winner of

Edcouch Elsa Luis Rodriguez chases Beeville Jones quarterback in the State 4A Divi-sion II playoffs. The Yellowjackets prevailed with a come from behind 31-15 win. They will now travel to Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi on Friday night to meet New Braunfels Canyon in the Regional IV Semi Finals. (Tony Williams/HSSM PHOTO)

Edcouch Elsa Stings Gregory PortlandYellowjackets End Bi-District Drought

Beeville Jones-Sam Houston at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Robstown. As for the Wildcats, they end their season at 6-5. The win snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Corpus Christi area schools of G-P, Flour Bluff and Calallen, and erased

six years of f irst-round frustration. The last time E-E a d v a n c e d past bi-district was in 1998.

Ed-Elsa advances to the second round of the State 4A playoffs for the first time since 1998. (HSSM Photo/T. Williams)


Class 3A Division I & II Playoffs: Port Isabel 14 Devine 42

Tarpons End Season With Hopes


(Port Isabel, Tx)-To all the those Port Isabel Tarpon die-hard fans who once mocked the blue and white from the Gulf of Mexico, defeating West Oso 41-14 in the Class 3A Division II Bi-Championships was icing on the cake for head football coach Monty Stumbaugh. The Tarpons entered the playoffs with an embarrassing 4-6 record and a third

place finish in 32-3A, something fans from this Port city were not accustom to seeing on the win-loss sides. “Everybody doubted us and now look at us,” said a jubilant Marky Villarreal, PI running back. Villarreal rushed for 110 yards on 11 carries. In the Class 3A Division II Area C h a m p i o n s h i p s , Devine pounded the Tarpons 42-14. For the Warhorses, they completely humiliated the PI Seawall defense by scoring 42 points, 28 in the first half, while allowing just 14 to

advance to the third round of the State 3A Division II playoffs. Port Isabel ended their season just as they started: with a loss and a 5-7 overall record. “It’s been a strange year for our team,” says Stumbaugh. “These kids had to overcome adversity from every aspect of this game. I’m proud of them,” he added.

The Port Isabel Tarpons ended their season with a 42-14 loss to Devine in the Class 3A Division II Area Champion-ships.

(HSSM Photos/David A. Amador)

TEXAS

Clinch Big 12 Championship BidLonghorns

By David A. Amador, [email protected]

The No.2 Texas Longhorns Freshmen Jamaal Charles will lead the Orange and White in the Big 12 Championship title game againstColorado.

Highlights

Knapp Chevrolet 1/4


(Getty Images)

No.2

(Austin, Tx)-Okay Longhorn fans, start making plans for the Rose Bowl and the BCS Championship game between No.1 USC and yours truly, No.2 Texas on January 4, 2006 in Pasadena, California. You can get tickets in Section 19, Row 4 for only $3,742 per seat. Buy a Longhorn T-Shirt from a street vendor for $100. Get two tickets for you and your best friend. Priceless! Let’s get back to reality. Texas recorded two more wins against Baylor 62-0 to record their 16th consecutive victory and again, the Longhorns romped Kansas 66-14 to clinch the Big 12 South Championship title. They will now meet Colorado in the Big 12 Title game to be played Dec. 3rd at Reliant Stadium. Quarterback Vince Young, the Heisman Trophy contender who is 27-2 as the Longhorns’ starter, had 351 total yards in just more than three quarters — 16-of-27 passing for 298 yards and two TDs, and 53 yards rushing on eight carries. Freshmen

Longhorns2005 Texas Longhorns SCHEDULE

Sept. 8 La LafayetteSept. 10 at Ohio StateSept. 17 RiceOct. 1st MissouriOct. 8th vs Oklahoma (Dallas)Oct. 15 ColoradoOct. 22 Texas TechOct. 29 at Oklahoma StNov. 5th at BaylorNov. 12 KansasNov.25 at Texas A&M

Katrina

RB Selvin Young and the Texas Longhorns will be vying for their first BCS National Championship game against USC in Pasadena. (Getty Images)

running back Jamaal Charles ran for two scores for Texas (9-0, 6-0 Big 12). The 17-game winning streak is the longest for the Longhorns since they won a school-record 30 in a row from 1968-70. Only No. 1 USC had a longer active streak, 31 in a row. With Selvin Young sidelined by nagging injuries, Taylor got his first start at tailback, the position he played in high school and where he was in the spring for the Longhorns before being switched to receiver. Charles has also been banged up, but ran managed to rush 13 times for 72 yards. Head coach Mack Brown decided with Texas up 55-0 and already with 546 of their 645 total yards, Young and Taylor were finished. Matt Nordgren took over at quarterback with 11:46 left, and scored on a 29-

yard run on which he fumbled at the 15, but had the ball bounce back into his hands. Charles got the game’s first score on a 4-yard run, a play after Limas Sweed’s impressive one-handed catch for a 45-yard gain. With two defenders on his back, Sweed reached out his left hand, grabbed the ball on a sprint and secured it before being tackled. Again, Charles’ second TD came with 2:58 left in the first half, when he went wide to get away from a defender, then cut inside another to make it 20-0. Taylor added a 9-yard TD run before the half. Vince Young became Texas’ career total offense leader with 281 yards passing and a career-high four

touchdown tosses as No. 2 Texas romped past Kansas 66-14 to clinch the Big 12 South Division title. Texas earned its first berth in the Big 12 championship game since 2001. Young’s 8,269 total career yards breaks the school record of 8,059 set by Major Applewhite (1998-2001). With the season winding down, the Texas A & M Aggies and Colorado stand in the way of Texas’ bid for a BCS national title match up with the Trojans from the University of Southern California. The worst scenario for both teams would be a loss by USC, then Texas would probably end up playing Big Ten Champs, Joe Paterno and his Penn State Nittany Lions. Yuck!


Class 3A Division I & II Playoffs: Hidalgo 45 Hondo 55

Class 3A Division II Bi-District Championships

Rio Hondo 18 Orange Grove 0

Pirates Blow Late Lead To Owls

Kingsville - Despite losing to Ingleside the following week in the Class 3A Division I Area championships, the 32-3A district champs Rio Hondo Bobcats blanked Orange Grove 18-0 to win a Bi-District title last Saturday night at Javelina Stadium. Head coach Gus Cavazos and his Bobcats played like champions throughout the entire season as they captured wins over Hidalgo, Port Isabel, and La Feria and still, many did not give them the credit they deserved. This night would prove to be different as QB Aaron Garza found Ryan Garcia on a fake field goal and a 17-yard scoring pass. “Our defense has been coming up big all year,” said second-year Rio Hondo head coach Gus Cavazos. The win for Rio Hondo marked its first playoff win since 1961. The Bobcats (9-2), who played Ingleside in the next round of the playoffs, knew that this game would prove to everyone in 32-3A that they were deserving of the district crown.

(Rio Grande City)-Playing in Rio must have brought back Hidalgo Pirate head coach George Pena many memories. After all, he did bring the Rio Grande City Rattlers many victories and playoff wins during his tenure as head coach. These sidelines still had his foot prints marked all over the field as his Pirates defeated the Zapata Hawks in the first round of the State 3A Division I Bi-district championships 45-26. The Pirates who finished 6-4, 5-1 in 32-3A advanced to the second round, only to lose to Hondo 55-45 after blowing a 11-point fourth quarter lead in another high scoring game. “This game could have gone either way. However, I am real proud of these players. They all have heart”, said first year head coach Pena. In 2004, Pena led the San Benito Greyhounds to the third round of the State 5A playoffs as their offensive coordinator, which led to his head coaching job at Hidalgo. In their second round against Hondo, the Pirates took a 38-27 lead with less than six minutes left to play in the game against the Owls, but with 5:45 left to play, Owl running back Andy Werner scored from one yard out to close the gap to 38-33 after their two-point conversion failed. Special teams in big games always play a major role.

In the ensuing kick off, Pirate running back, Jesus Olvera was pounded and he fumbled at the Owl’s 35-yard line. Owls ball, first and ten. Werner again gets the call and he rambles from 37-yards out for touchdown No.2 in less than two minutes. Owls lead 41-38. Hidalgo would then try to rebound by scoring on a 26-yard run from Olvera, who made up for his previous fumble to narrow the Owl’s lead to 48-45. But this night belong to Werner. He scored again and then intercepted Pirate’s Jose Nava’s pass to end the game. Werner scored on runs of 45, 60, and 64 yards. He also added a 46-yard touchdown catch to his five touchdowns and 231 yards rushing for the night. “Werner ran harder than we tackled”, said Pena.

Sam Ramos, TE

Adan Atkinson, NG

Joey Chavez, RB

DallasCOWBOYSNFL Season Report:

Win SevenCowboys get ready for Denver and New York Giants

2005 Dallas Cowboys SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 at San DiegoSept. 19 WashingtonSept. 25 at San FranciscoOct. 2nd at OaklandOct. 9th PhiladelphiaOct. 16 N.Y. GiantsOct. 23 at SeattleOct. 30 ArizonaNov. 14 at PhiladelphiaNov. 20 DetroitNov. 24 DenverDec. 4 at N.Y. GiantsDec. 11 Kansas CityDec. 18 at WashingtonDec. 24 at CarolinaJan. 1st St Louis

RB Julius Jones made his come back against Detroit and rushed for 92 yards to lead the Cowboys 20-7.

(Getty Images)

Adan Atkinson, NG

(Irving,Tx) - The Dallas Cowboys are just one win away from clinching at least .500 season. At 7-3 and a first place standing with the New York Giants. Their next two games will definitely test their strengths on both offense and defense when they play Denver and the Giants (7-3). One thing that the Cowboys do not have to worry about are those pesky T.O. Eagles, correction, those pesky Philadelphia Eagles. Because since that big 33-10 win over the Eagles, they are still maintaining what is needed to win. Call it the Parcell’s Magic. The Dallas win over the Detroit Lions was not impressive, but it was good enough to keep fans wondering if last Sunday’s 20-7 victory over the Lions was a sign of making the playoffs. “Here lately, we’ve been good enough to win, but we know it has to get better,” said Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who is now tied with St. Louis starter Marc Bulger for first in the NFC with a 94.4 QB rating. “I think we’ve done a good job here and there. But we haven’t played as well as we’re going to need to play down the stretch.” Here’s the tough part. Dallas’ next five of six opponents all boast winning records, with three of those hanging around in first place. One of those teams is Denver, which comes to town Thursday for the annual Thanksgiving Day game at Texas Stadium. And the Cowboys know if they indeed want to improve to

8-3, they must get their offense back on track. “We can’t play like we did against Detroit and expect to beat Denver,” Cowboys tight end and offensive captain Dan Campbell said. Not to worry. Parcells knows what he is doing. With Julius Jones back in the line up, Parcells needs to establish his even more powerful running threat before the Super Bowl sends Parcells an invitation. On Sunday, the Cowboys rushed for 149 yards, including 92 from Julius Jones, who started his first game since returning from the high-ankle sprain he suffered in the first meeting with the Eagles. With rookie Marion Barber, who rushed for 53 yards and scored two touchdowns, in the line up too, opposing teams know that this will be a much powerful Dallas Cowboys team to reckon with. Including the Giants, who will host Dallas on Dec. 4th.

Get the Ultimate Fitness with...


Jump LikeMike...

Jason O. Martinez, B.B.A., C.P.T.

With Basketball season underway, the most common question I hear from young athletes concerned with improving performance is “How can I jump higher?” Jumping is a very explosive movement that can, believe it or not, be improved with proper training. The definition of vertical jump is the jump reach minus the standing reach. The “standing reach” is how high you can extend one arm above your head while keeping both feet together and flat on the floor. The jump reach, for a true vertical jump test, is to jump straight up without taking a step and touch the highest point possible. Strength: Strength exercises are slow, controlled movements. The best strength exercises for increasing the vertical jump are squats, lunges and step ups. These are the best because they are compound movements, which work the knee joint and the hip joint at the same time.

Squats: Squats are the best exercise an athlete can do for strength if it is performed correctly. If not, it can be the most dangerous exercise. Before attempting squats, have a trained professional analyze your technique to make sure it is fundamentally sound. Concentrate on technique, not how much weight you can lift.

Step ups:

Step ups are performed with dumbbells and a step-up box or bench (usually 16 inches-18 inches high). Standing in an upright holding the dumbbells, you step up on the box or bench at the height that would put your knee at a 90-degree angle. Do 15 repetitions with one leg and repeat with the other.

Lunges: Lunges can be done holding dumbbells or with the bar across your upper back. Standing in an upright position, step as far forward as possible with no forward lean of the upper body until your front knee is at 90 degree angle. Then step back to the original position in one step. Do this 15 times with one leg, then 15 with the other.

Power Exercises: Power exercises involve explosive quick movements. They include power cleans, plyometrics and weight box jumps. Let’s take a look at each of these exercises.

Power Cleans: Power cleans are a very advance technical exercise. I highly recommend assistance from a certified strength and conditioning specialist or trainer before attempting power cleans.

Plyometrics: Plyometrics are very explosive bounding, hopping and jumping drills. Performing squat jumps with a weighted vest or medicine ball overhead will increase your explosive power, which will lead to higher vertical jump.

Weighted box jumps:

Weighted box jumps are a form of plyometrics. A quality box jump should be heavy duty with landing area of 2 feet by 2 feet. The box should be 16 inches to 32 inches in height based on one’s ability. Put on a weighted vest, stand in front of the box and jump as high as possible landing softly as possible. Step down and repeat for 3 sets of 10 jumps. Never land with you hips lower that your knees and always concentrate on each jump. With consistent, proper training, I have seen young athletes increase their vertical jump by 6 inches in one summer.

Good luck with your training and reach for the stars.

Documents

High School Sports Magazine-November 2005 Issue