High School Sports Magazine-December 2006 Issue

Dec 29, 2006-January 29, 2007

PLAYOFFSFOOTBALL

Region IV State 5A FinalsRegion IV State 5A Finals

Austin Westlake DEFEATS LOS FRESNOS 45-19Austin Westlake DEFEATS LOS FRESNOS 45-19

Los Fresnos QBJeremy Springer

Volume 2 Issue 4

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INSIDE: Coach of the Year

PlayoffBrackets Pg.12 Pg.44What

If... Pg.6

2006 HSSM Football Playoffs 4

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Volume 2 Issue 4December 29, 2006

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WHAT IF...2006 HSSM Football Playoffs 6

B Y D A V I D A. A M A D O RHSSM SPORTSWRITER

U.I.L. State Football Playoffs:Rio Grande Valley Teams proved once again that someday, another Valley high school will inch their way to a possible state football title. This year, the Falconsalmost made it happen.

Los Fresnos QB Jeremy Springer is tackled by Austin Westlake defenders and fumbles the ball away. The Falcons ended their season with an overall 13-1 record. The Chaps made it to the State 5A Division I Championship game one round later. (HSSM Images)

WHAT IF...

8 2006 HSSM Football Playoffs

www.HSSMONLINE.net

“This was a tough loss. We came out flat from the start. We could have done better today...”

Scott Ford Los Fresnos Head Football Coach

(Victoria, Texas)-What if the Los Fresnos Falcons (12-1) had played this game at night, would this have made a difference in their quest for a State 5A Division I title? Afterall, every game that the Falcons played in 2006 was at night anyway. Nevertheless, the Falcons met up with the Austin Westlake Chaparals (10-2) in third round of the state playoffs in Victoria and fell short of winning, only to lose to the Chaps 45-19. “This was a tough loss. We came out flat from the start. We could

have done better today,” said Scott Ford, head coach of the Los Fresnos Falcons. The drive to Victoria was decided as the mid-point or neutral site for both teams but the destination for HSSM seemed endless. Maybe a sign that read “Houston 125 miles” told our reporter just how far Victoria Memorial Stadium really stood. The Falcons fell behind early in the first quarter, trail-ing 14-0 after quarterback Nick Foles (6’6, 240lbs)


www.HSSMONLINE.net

“This was a tough loss. We came out flat from the start. We could have done better today...”

Scott Ford Los Fresnos Head Football Coach

Austin Westlake QB 6’6 Nick Foles hands off to run-ning back Bron Hager. Foles was awarded a full schol-arship to play football at Arizona State of the PAC-10 conference. Justin Springer, Los Fresnos LB, will also be attending Arizona State with Foles. (HSSM Images)

2006 32-5A District ChampionsDefeat PSJA 45-38Win Bi-Championship TitleDefeat La Joya 55-28Win Area Championship TitleLose to Austin Westlake 45-19Division II Region IV Finalist

Falcon’s State Playoff Run:

found Stephen Shaffer open for a four yard score. Justin Tucker would convert the extra point to make it 7-0 with 2:23 left to play in the first quarter. Again, Max Minor would score on a pass from Arizona State-bound Foles on a 13 yard scoring strike as time expired in the first quarter. Tucker kicked the extra point again, to make it 14-0. Factor: Two turnovers by the Falcons.

www.HSSMONLINE.net 10

Austin Westlake Max Minor breaks loose for a gain as he is chased by Los Fresnos defenders. (HSSM Images)

Los Fresnos quarterback Jeremy Springer fought valiantly to bring his team close but each time he did, the first downs came up short. Foles would take over again, with 3:59 left to play in the half to find Andy Spears from 65-yards out, to give Foles his third touchdown pass of the day to make it 28-0 for the Chaps. On paper, the Falcons won the game totaling more yardage 480-399, and Springer out-shined Foles by completing 18-42-2, 313 yards to Foles flawless 17-20-0, 302 yards. On the ground, Springer would defeat Foles by rushing for 144 yards on 22 yards to Foles 3 carries for nine minus yards. Westlake (12-3) went on to the State 5A Divi-sion I Champioship game

against the defending state champion, Southlake Carroll (16-0) at the Al-amodome in San Anto-

nio, Texas. The Dragons would win 43-29, after trailing at the half 15-7. So the one question still

remains: What if the Fal-cons would have played at night? Could things have turned out better?


Coach2006

Bill LittletonMcAllen MemorialHead Football Coach

(HSSM Images)(McAllen)-After winning the Dave Campbell’s Football Classic game against the Victoria Memorial Vipers 24-22 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, McAllen Memorial head coach, Bill Littleton knew that something was wrong with his health. He left for a check up after the game at a San Antonio Hospital and ended up at McAllen Heart Hospital for a CATH surgery. After spending several days in the hospital, Littleton would have to hear his next football game for the his bedroom sidelines, via cell phone. “I really wanted to be there for the PSJA North game, but I knew I could not,” said Littleton. The Mustangs would lose that night with his players feeling mixed with emotions. “I wished the “Hammer” would have been here tonight,” said senior quarterback Mitchell Bunger. Littleton would return the following week and guide his Mustangs to a big non-district wins over Brownsville Pace 63-14 and then pounded PSJA 56-21 to make it 3-1 for the season. High School Sports Magazine honored Bill Littleton with the 2006 HSSM Coach of the Year title. The Mustangs had to wait 27 years for a playoff win, before head coach Bill Littleton lifted the Mustang’s first ever Bi-District Championship title after defeating Laredo Martin. “I accept this HSSM award on behalf of my coaches and team. I am honored to win this coaching award,” said Littleton. This was the Mustang’s third playoff appearance in school history. The other two came in 2005 and 1995.

of the year

2006-07 Basketball Game SchedulesSharyland Lady Rattlers 30-5AMcAllen MemorialPSJARio Grande CityJosten’s Holiday TourMcAllenLa JoyaNikki RoweDonnaMcAllen MemorialOpenRio Grande CityMcAllenLa JoyaNikki RoweDonna

Dec. 12Dec. 15Dec. 21Dec. 28-30Jan. 2Jan. 5Jan. 9Jan. 12Jan. 16Jan. 19Jan. 23Jan. 26Jan. 30Feb. 2Feb. 6

Nikki Rowe Warriors 30-5ACity of Palms TournSan BenitoHarlingen SouthCalallen TournDonnaMcAllen MemorialSharylandRio Grande CityMcAllenLa JoyaHidalgoDonnaMcAllen MemorialSharylandRio Grande CityMcAllenLa Joya

Dec. 14-16Dec. 18Dec. 21Dec. 27-28Jan. 2Jan. 5Jan. 9Jan. 12Jan. 16Jan. 19Jan. 23Jan. 26Jan. 30Feb. 2Feb. 6Feb. 9Feb. 13

Edinburg Lady Bobcats 31-5AEdinburg EconomedesBrownsville PorterHarlingen SouthJosten’s TournamentEdinburg NorthHarlingenPSJAPSJA NorthPSJA MemorialEconomedesHarlingen SouthEdinburg NorthHarlingenPSJAPSJA North

Dec. 12Dec. 15Dec. 19Dec. 28-30Jan. 2Jan. 5Jan. 9Jan. 12Jan. 16Jan. 19Jan. 23Jan. 26Jan. 30Feb. 2Feb. 6

McAllen Bulldogs 30-5ABrownsville HannaLos FresnosMcAllen MemorialBrownsville PaceSan IsidroSharylandRio Grande CityLa JoyaNikki RoweDonnaMcAllen MemorialSharylandRio Grande CityLa JoyaNikki RoweDonna

Dec. 15Dec. 18Dec. 21Dec. 28Dec. 30Jan. 2Jan. 5Jan. 12Jan. 16Jan. 19Jan. 23Jan. 26Jan. 30Feb. 2Feb. 6Feb. 13

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All game times are set for 7:30 tipoff

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Magical Mustangs!Magical Mustangs!“This is this greatest feeling ever. I’m real proud of my boys...” Bill Littleton, headcoach

State 5A Division II Region IV Finalist


Magical Mustangs!Magical Mustangs!“This is this greatest feeling ever. I’m real proud of my boys...” Bill Littleton, headcoach

2006 30-5A Co-ChampionsDefeat Laredo Martin 69-14Win Bi-Championship TitleDefeat PSJA North 35-16Win Area Championship TitleFall to San Antonio MacArthur 35-34Division II Region IV Finalist

Mustang’s State Playoff Run:

(See Story, next page...)



No where to run. PSJA North running back Gabriel Jara is stopped short by McAllen Memorial defensive back Robert Curl.The Stang’s would clinch their first Class 5A Division II Area Cham-pionship title by defeating the Raiders 35-16. (HSSM Images)

(McAl len ) -McAl len Memorial’s bid for a State 5A Division II Football title was over but the Mustang’s magical season was well worth it. San Antonio MacArthur (11-2) responded with a game winning 47-yard touchdown pass to Johnathan Craig and the Brahmas then decided to go for a gutsy two-point conversion with quarterback Kevin Schimd taking it in to make it 35-28 with 1:29 left to play in the game. Those two points proved to be pivotal in the end. With the State 5A Regional IV Semifinal title on the line, Quarterback Mitchell Bunger (13-of-18, 163 yards) then took his Mustangs marching up the field and connected with senior receiver Scott Schneider on three passes setting up Bradley Stephens (36-240 yards rushing) for his third rushing touchdown of the night to make it 34-35 with: 28 seconds remaining on the clock. Head coach Bill Littleton decided to tie the game, instead of going for the win. Mustang kicker John Tippit, who was perfect all night, could only watch, with dismay, his extra point attempt sail wide right. The final score: San Antonio MacArthur 35 McAllen Memorial 34. Tippit’s contributions


Alex Serna of PSJA North is brought down by a McAllen Memorial defender and fumbles the ball. The Raiders entered the game with a perfect 11-0 season record. (HSSM Images)

were good for the night as he converted 4-of-5 extra points, good for four points. Their magical season started with Laredo Martin in the Bi-District title chase played at La Joya Coyote Stadium and the Mustangs wasted no time showing why they were the better team as they pounded Martin (7-4) 69-14.

Class 5A Division IIBi-district Championships

Laredo Martin 14Memorial 69

Senior running back Stephens did not play much after rushing for 155 yards on ten carries, scoring on runs of 22, 5, and 60 yards. Quarterback Mitcehll Bunger was superb passing for 103 yards on six completions with three touchdown passes with senior wideout Robbie Salinas catching two tds. He ended the game with 42 yards. The Mustangs would hold the Tigers to a total of 88 yards and one touchdown. By the end of the third quarter, Littleton pulled out most of his starters and brought in the second and third string players. “This is the greatest feeling ever. I am real proud of my boys,” said Littleton afteer hoisting their first ever Bi-District Championship title in the school’s history. The Mustang magic


Fumble! Armando Salinas (84), defensive linemen for McAllen Memorial strips the ball away from a Laredo Martin running back. This game would mark for the first time in the Mustang history that they would win a first-ever state playoff football game. (HSSM Images)

again, would continue in a highly-anticipated rematch with the undefeated 31-5A champions, PSJA North, who had defeated the Mustangs earlier in the year 42-35. Again, the Stangs’ defense shutdown the Raiders 35-16. “Our defense played well throughout the playoffs. They made some great plays,” added Littleton. “My hats off to our defense coaching team,” he added. Stephens would rush for 239 yards and three touchdowns on 27

carries. “I knew they would be tough to play again. We had a great year,” said Orlando Garcia, head coach of the Raiders. In the third round, the Mustang magic was questioned by many doubters who were wondering whether or not the Mustangs were good enough to beat a San Antonio team. And it almost happened. More than 11,000 fans showed up to find out if the


McAllen Memorial’s magical season would continue. The Mustangs (10-3) ended their second straight

Class 5A Division IIArea ChampionshipsPSJA North 16Memorial 35

playoff run, by going three-deep in the state playoffs

and head coach Bill Littleton was proud of his players. “I’m going to miss these seniors. I wished we would have gone a little farther,” Littleton told HSSM after the game. “Turnovers will not win games and we had some costly ones tonight that turned into 21 points for MacArthur,” added Littleton. The Mustangs turned the ball over four times, with two fumbles by Bunger, returned for touchdowns.

Season Over. Running back Bradley Stephens of McAllen Memorial scored his last touchdown of his career to make it 34-35, trailing San Antonio MacArthur in the final seconds of the game. A failed extra point ended the game for the star running back. (HSSM Images)


“This was awesome. They (Mustangs) are a good team. This was a another win for us tonight,” said Craig. Friday night’s game ended a magnificent career for Mustang senior running back Bradley Stephens, who will now focus his career with the Texas A&M Aggies next year. “I thank God for the players he surrounded me with throughout the four years I played football. I will never forget this,” added Stephens. He ended his senior year with 2,509 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns. His career totals: 7,861 rushing yards and 112 all-purpose touchdowns. Vincent Jackson picked up a Bunger fumble after he was tackled at the 10:48 mark to make it 7-0 in the first period. The extra point by Eddie Anderson was good. After the Mustangs regrouped on defense, to hold the Brahmas on their next possession, Stephens then showed why he was the top running back in the state of Texas. “There he goes, gosh, he’s fast,” said MacArthur head coach Van Fuschak, as watched the speedy running break loose for a 44-yard touchdown up mid-field to make it 7-7 all. Tippit’s extra point was good with 8:10 remaining in the half. On Memorial’s next possession, again, the Brahmas defense broke

Great run. Mitchell Bunger, senior quarterback of the McAllen Memorial Mustangs picks up some yardage against San Antonio MacArthur in the third round of the State 5A Division II football playoffs. (HSSM Images)


through and sacked Bunger for a loss and another fumble. Zack Williamson picked up the ball and returned it 30 yards for another score. On the Mustang’s next possession Bunger would lead his Mustangs with revenge, by plunging into the end-zone from one-yard out to tie the game after Tippit’s extra point was good with 1:06 left to play in the half. Both teams were tied at 14-14. “Our defense played tough tonight,” said Fuschak. Both defenses could not stop both offenses as San Antonio MacArthur gained 431 total yards to McAllen Memorial’s 481.

Score Box: SA MacArthur vs McAllen Memorial

SAM 7 7 13 8 Final 35MEM 0 14 7 13 34

Top Rushers: MacArthur: Johnathan Craig 16-151, 1 td; Wally Shraim 9-57; Kevin Schmid 5-25, 1 td; Memorial: Bradley Stephens 36-240, 3tds; Mitch-ell Bunger 15-27, 2 tds; Nick Moore 5-8; Robby Salinas 1-29. Passing: Bunger 13-18-1, 163 yards; SA: Schmid 9-20-0, 201 yards.

Panthers Fall ShortPanthers Fall ShortState 5A Division I Region IV Area Championships

Weslaco Beats Harlingen for Bi-District Title: lose to Laredo United

Here they come! The Weslaco Panthers defeated the Harlingen Cardinals 40-37 in OT to win the 2006 Bi-District Title in Class 5A Division I. (HSSM Images)


(WeslacoTx)-Weslaco’s Dylan De Leon, a sophomore quarterback, sneaked it in for a four-yard touchdown run in overtime to give the Panthers (9-2) their first State 5A Division I Bi-District title in ten years over the Harlingen Cardinals 40-37 OT at Bobby Lackey Stadium before some 10,000 fans. The Panthers spotted the Cards 27 points, leading 27-0 at the 2:32 mark in the second quarter. Then the Cardinal pride came alive in the second half with Ryan Koite continuing where he left off right before the half, by scoring another touchdown, to trail the Panthers 13-27

with 4:37 left in the third. On Weslaco’s next possession, Rivas would get the call and he broke left, then right, juked out several Cardinal players, for 81-yards with 3:41 left in the third period. The Panthers led 35-13 and started celebrating too early. “We did not finish the game. We should have played harder. Harlingen has that never die spirit,” said head coach Tony Villarreal of Weslaco. Rivas rushed for 215 yards for the evening and scored two touchdowns but after successfully recovering two onside kicks,

standings

finalDISTRICT BY DISTRICT

32-5AAAAA 1. LOS FRESNOS2. WESLACO3. SAN BENITO4. BRO LOPEZ5. BRO PACE6. BRO PORTER6. BRO RIVERA 6. BRO HANNA

31-5AAAAA1. PSJA NORTH2. HARLINGEN SO3. HARLINGEN4. PSJA5. ECONOMEDES6. ED NORTH7. EDINBURG8. PSJA MEM

32-4AAAA1. ED-ELSA2. MISSION3. MERCEDES4. MISSION VETS4. WES EAST4. ROMA7. VALLEY VIEW

32-3AAA1. PORT ISABEL2. RIO HONDO3. LA FERIA4. HIDLAGO5. PROGRESO

31-3AAA1. ZAPATA2. RAYMONDVILLE3. LYFORD4. FALFURRIAS5. SAN DIEGO

2006 FOOTBALL FINAL STANDINGS

32-2A1. HEBBRONVILLE2. FREER3. BISHOP4. PREMONT5. BANQUETE6. SANTA ROSA7. RIVIERA

32-1A1. LA VILLA2. BEN BOLT3. BRUNI4. BENAVIDES5. SANTA MARIA6. AGUA DULCE

Note: The top four teams from every district in Class 5A now advance to the state playoffs.

Get these Action Photos for only $8.95 (8”x10”) at www.hssmonline.net

Panthers Fall ShortPanthers Fall ShortHSSM TOP TEN AND FINAL FOOTBALL STANDINGS

12-1 9-3 7-4 5-6 3-7 1-9 1-9 1-9

7-06-15-24-33-41-61-61-6

SEASON DISTRICT

12-1 7-4 6-5 4-6 3-7 3-70-10

6-05-14-22-42-42-40-6

SEASON DISTRICT

7-310-3 4-7 4-6 3-7 3-70-10

6-05-14-23-32-41-50-6

SEASON DISTRICT

11-1 9-3 6-5 5-6 5-5 2-8 3-7 3-7

7-06-15-24-33-42-51-60-7

SEASON DISTRICT

9-3 9-2 9-3 5-5 3-7

4-03-12-21-30-4

SEASON DISTRICT

11-1 6-4 7-2 3-5 2-7 1-8

5-04-13-22-31-40-5

SEASON DISTRICT

30-5AAAAA1. MCALLEN MEM1. MCALLEN3. LA JOYA4. RIO GRAN CITY5. DONNA6. MCA ROWE6. SHARYLAND

10-3 9-3 6-6 7-4 2-8 2-8 3-7

5-15-14-23-32-41-51-5

SEASON DISTRICT

6-56-54-62-80-10

4-03-12-21-30-4

SEASON DISTRICT

HSSM FINAL TOP 15 POLL

1. MCALLEN MEMORIAL 10-32. LOS FRESNOS 12-13. WESLACO 9-34. HARLINGEN SOUTH 9-35. EDCOUCH ELSA 12-16. LA VILLA 11-17. PORT ISABEL 9-3 8. PSJA NORTH 11-19. MCALLEN 9-310. RIO HONDO 9-211. SAN BENITO 7-412. LA JOYA 6-613. MERCEDES 6-514. RIO GRANDE CITY 7-415. HARLINGEN 6-5

HSSM FINAL TOP 5 RUSHERS

1. BRADLEY STEPHENS, MCA MEM2. MISHAK RIVAS, WESLACO3. JUAN MARTINEZ, LA JOYA4. ROBBIE MESA. RIO HONDO5. RENE VALDEZ, PORT ISABEL

18751703148514251410

1010 8 910

9.611.9 7.9 9.4 9.8

2324152314

YARDS GAMES AVG. TDS

HSSM FINAL TOP 5 QBS

1. JEREMY SPRINGER, LF2. J. HINOJOSA. MCHI3. ESPARZA, BRO LOPEZ4. DELOS SANTOS, SAN BENITO5. ENRIQUEZ. MCA ROWE

25441974173717291722

10101010 9

254.4197.4173.7172.9191.3

31141424 8

PASS YARDS GAMES AVG. TDS


2006 HSSM Online.net 24

Wait till next year! Sophomore quarterback Dylan De Leon will lead his Weslaco Panthers next year.

The Panthers advanced to the second round of the State 5A Division I Area Championship playoffs at

the Alamodome in San Antonio, losing a close battle to Laredo United 38-34. Pictured in the right photo is running back junior Mishak Rivas, who rushed for

more than 1,700 yards in 2006. (HSSM Images)

the Cards (5-6) would score 21 unanswered points in the fourth period. With 2:14 left to play, Cliff Newby caught a touchdown pass from John Murphy to make it 28-35. The Cards then recovered an onside kick, which led to the tying touchdown by quarterback Murphy from five yards out. The PAT by Ybarra was good enough to send the game into overtime. With the win, this Mid-Valley city started celebrating, knowing that they would be playing on Thanksgiving Weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio against the Laredo United Longhorns, 48-7 winners over Rio Grande City. “This is great for Weslaco,” said school board member Raymond Givilancz. The Longhorns (11-1) managed to hold on for a wild 38-34 win over the Panthers. “We made too many mistakes. We let this one get away from us,” added Villarreal. The Panthers trailed 38-21 in a high scoring first half but the defense would hold the Longhorns scoreless in the second half, with hopes of giving the Panther offense enough time to score points. With two miscues in the third quarter, the Panthers were wondering if they would get back anyone of those bad breaks. In the opening drive of the third, Weslaco drove all the way to

the Longhorn’s three-yard line, with De Leon’s pass intercepted. Again, after the Panther defense forced the Longhorns to fumble the ball in the endzone, the Panthers would lead another charge, this time for 76-yards, only to come up short again with a fumble after the catch was made inside the Longhorn’s 10-yard line. Mid-way in the fourth, Panther’s wideout Pepe Cabrera caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from De Leon to make it 38-28 with 7:07 left to play in the final period. On the Longhorns next possession, they would be stopped at the Panther’s 26 yard line and this gave the Panthers an opportunity to score once again. De Leon led the Panthers on another score with a four-yard run to make it 38-34. The point attempt sailed wide left by Jose Cruz, leaving the Panthers trailing the Longhorns by four. Weslaco would attempt their second failed onside kick but head coach David Sanchez and his Longhorns were ready for the keeper with 2:12 remaining to play. United quarterback Alvaro Garcia passed for 390 yards and three touchdowns. This marks the second straight season that the Longhorns have advanced to the State 5A Regional finals.

TEXAS STATE UIL PAST FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

www.hssmonline.net

1990 5A Division I - Marshall 21, Converse Judson 19 5A Division II - Aldine 27, Arlington Lamar 10 4A - Wilmer-Hutchins 19, Westlake (Austin) 7 3A - Vernon 41, Crockett 20 2A - Groveton 25, De Leon 19 1A - Bartlett 36, Munday 28 6-Man - Fort Hancock 66, Christoval 17

1991 5A Division I - Killeen 14, Sugar Land Dulles 10 5A Division II - Odessa Permian 27, San Antonio Marshall 14 4A - A&M Consolidated 35, Carthage 16 3A - Groesbeck 7, Burnet 0 2A - Schulenburg 21, Albany 0 1A - Memphis 21, Oakwood 14 6-Man - Fort Hancock 64, Christoval 14

1992 5A Division I - Converse Judson 52, Euless Trinity 0 5A Division II - Temple 38, Houston Yates 20 4A - Waxahachie 28, A&M Consolidated 24 3A - Southlake Carroll 48, Coldspring 0 2A - Schulenburg 35, Goldthwaite 20 1A - Bartlett 33, Sudan 26 6-Man - Panther Creek 54, Fort Hancock 26

1993 5A Division I - Converse Judson 36, Plano 13 5A Division II - Lewisville 43, Aldine MacArthur 37 4A - Stephenville 26, La Marque 13 3A - Southlake Carroll 14, Cuero 6 2A - Goldthwaite 21, Omaha Paul Pewitt 8 1A - Sudan 54, Bremond 0 6-Man - Panther Creek 56, Dell City 28

1994 5A Division I - Plano 28, Katy 7 5A Division II - Tyler John Tyler 35, Westlake (Austin) 24 4A - Stephenville 32, La Marque 17 3A - Sealy 36, Atlanta 15 2A - Goldthwaite 20, Schulenburg 16 1A - Thorndale 36, Crawford 13 6-Man - Amherst 30, Milford 20

1995 5A Division I - Converse Judson 31, Odessa Permian 28 5A Division II - San Antonio Roosevelt 17, Flower Mound Marcus (Lewisville) 10 4A - La Marque 31, Denison 8 3A - Sealy 21, Commerce 20 2A - Celina 32, Alto 28 1A - Thorndale 14, Roscoe 7 6-Man - Amherst 78, Milford 42

1996 5A Division I - Lewisville 58, Converse Judson 34 5A Division II - Westlake (Austin) 55, Abilene Cooper 15 4A Division I - Grapevine 34, Hays Consolidated 19 4A Division II - La Marque 34, Denison 3 3A - Sealy 36, Tatum 27 2A - Iraan 14, Groveton 7 1A - Windthorst 41, Tenaha 12 6-Man - Gordon 51, Whitharral 50

1997 5A Division I - Katy 24, Longview 3 5A Division II - Flower Mound Marcus (Lewisville) 59, Alief Hastings 20 4A Division I - Texas City 37, Corsicana 34 4A Division II - La Marque 17, Denison 0 3A - Sealy 28, Commerce 21 2A - Stanton 33, Rogers 7 1A - Granger 40, Wheeler 0 6-Man - Borden County 48, Panther Creek 16

1998 5A Division I - Duncanville 24, Converse Judson 21 5A Division II - Midland Lee 54, San Antonio MacArthur 0 4A Division I - Grapevine 22, Bay City 0 4A Division II - Stephenville 34, La Marque 7 3A Division I - Aledo 14, Cuero 7 3A Division II - Newton 21, Daingerfield 0 2A Division I - Omaha Paul Pewitt 28, Brookshire-Royal 26 2A Division II - Celina 21, Elysian Fields 0 1A - Tenaha 20, Wheeler 13 6-Man - Trinidad 62, Borden County 16

1999 5A Division I - Midland Lee 42, Aldine Eisenhower 21 5A Division II - Garland 37, Katy 25 4A Division I - Texas City 27, Hereford 14 4A Division II - Stephenville 28, Port Neches-Groves 18 3A Division I - Liberty Eylau 49, Mathis 6 3A Division II - Commerce 17, Sealy 10 2A Division I - Mart 40, Boyd 7 2A Division II - Celina 38, Elysian Fields 7 1A - Bartlett 35, Aspermont 6 6-Man - Gordon 54, Groom 34

2000 5A Division I - Midland Lee 33, Westlake (Austin) 21 5A Division II - Katy 35, Tyler John Tyler 20 4A Division I - Bay City 24, Denton Ryan 2 4A Division II - Ennis 38, West Orange-Stark 24

3A Division I - Gatesville 14, Wylie (Abilene) 10 3A Division II - La Grange 20, Forney 17 2A Division I - Sonora 27, Blanco 24 2A Division II - Celina 21, Mart 17 1A - Stratford 49, Burkeville 14 6-Man - Panther Creek 42, Highland 36

2001 5A Division I - Mesquite 14, San Antonio Taft 13 5A Division II - Lufkin 38, Westlake (Austin) 24 4A Division I - Denton Ryan 42, Smithson Valley 35 - OT 4A Division II - Ennis 21, Bay City 0 3A Division I - Everman 25, Sinton 14 3A Division II - Commerce 14, La Grange 11 2A Division I - Blanco 16, Van Alstyne 0 2A Division II - Celina 41, Garrison 35 1A - Burkeville 27, Celeste 8 6-Man - Whitharral 27, Richland Springs 20

2002 5A Division I - Converse Judson 33, Midland 32 5A Division II - Southlake Carroll 45, Smithson Valley 14 4A Division I - Texarkana 42, New Braunfels 11 4A Division II - Denton Ryan 38, Brenham 8 3A Division I - Everman 35, Burnet 14 3A Division II - Bandera 27, Greenwood 24 - OT(2) 2A Division I - Corrigan-Camden 33, Bangs 14 2A Division II - Rosebud-Lott 34, Cisco 0 1A - Petrolia 39, Celeste 18 6-Man - Calvert 51, Sanderson 46

2003 5A Division I - Galena Pk North Shore 23, Conroe The Woodlands 7 5A Division II - Katy 16, Southlake Carroll 15 4A Division I - North Crowley 20, Bay City 6 4A Division II - La Marque 43, Denton Ryan 35 - OT(3) 3A Division I - Gainesville 35, Burnet 24 3A Division II - Atlanta 34, Marlin 0 2A Division I - San Augustine 28, Tuscola Jim Ned 7 2A Division II - Garrison 27, Bangs 0 1A - Windthorst 28, Shiner 27 6-Man - Strawn 67, Fort Davis 62

2004 5A Division I - Tyler Lee 28, Spring Westfield 21

5A Division II - Southlake Carroll 27, Smithson Valley 24 4A Division I - Ennis 23, Marshall 21 4A Division II - Kilgore 33, Dallas Lincoln 27 - OT(2) 3A Division I - Wylie (Abilene) 17, Cuero 14 3A Division II - Gilmer 49, Jasper 47 2A Division I - Boyd 17, Newton 14 2A Division II - Crawford 28, Troup 14 1A - Shiner 33, Stratford 19 6-Man - Richland Springs 58, Turkey Valley 38

2005 5A Division I - Euless Trinity 28, Converse Judson 14 5A Division II - Southlake Carroll 34, Katy 20 4A Division I - Highland Park (Dallas) 59, Marshall 0 4A Division II - Lewisville Hebron 28, Calallen (Corpus Christi) 0 3A Division I - Wimberley 21, Gainesville 7 3A Division II - Tatum 38, Hutto 34 2A Division I - Newton 28, Argyle 20 2A Division II - Celina 28, Omaha Paul Pewitt 12 1A - Stratford 21, Big Sandy 20 6-Man - Throckmorton 68, Turkey Valley 22 2006 5A Division I - Southlake Carroll 43, Austin Westlake 29 5A Division II - Cedar Hill 51, Cypress Falls 17 4A Division I - San Antonio Alamo Heights 40, Copperas Cove 28 4A Division II - La Marque 34, Waco 14 3A Division I - Texarkana Liberty-Eylau 35, Robinson 34 3A Division II - Liberty Hill 22, Celina 19 2A Division I - Tatum 32, Littlefield 14 2A Division II - Mart 23, Cisco 13 1A Division I - Alto 42, McCamey 13 1A Division II - Chilton 20, Windthorst 10 6-Man Div. I - Richland Springs 78, Rule 58 6-Man Div. II - Vernon Northside 60, Jayton 41

STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS 1990-2006


Puro Coyote! Juan Martinez, senior running back of La Joya ends his career with 2,200 yards rushing in

ten games this season. (HSSM Images)


State 5A Division I Region IV Area Championships

La Joya Defeats Laredo Alexander 45-29; Ready For Next Year

Coyotes Win Title!Coyotes Win Title!(La Joya, Texas)-Laredo Alexander (7-4) scored on their first two possessions with Abraham Renteria breaking loose for a 20-yard touchdown with 9:43 left in the first period, and again, he found the endzone with 6:35 left in the same quarter as the Bulldogs stunned the La Joya Coyotes (6-5) early on with a 14-0 lead. Then the howling of Coyotes begun with senior running Juan Martinez finding the corner for 15-yards and La Joya’s first score of the night to make it 14-7, still in the first period of play. By the time the half ended, the Coyotes had tied the game in a wild first half with both teams tied at 21-21. “Give it to Juanito,” was the call head coach Oscar Villasenor made at halftime and that’s what the senior needed to hear as he rushed for 418 yards on 39 carries, and like “Al Bundy,” he rushed for four touchdowns for the night to give the La Joya Coyotes a 45-29 State 5A Division I Bi-District title in the first round of the playoffs. “He’s our work horse,” said Villasenor, referring to Martinez’s outstanding rushing performance. In the second half, the

Coyote’s defense limited the Bulldogs to just eight points while outscoring

them by 24 points. Cruz Garcia started the onslaught with eight yard

run into the endzone. Sergio Castillo would stay perfect with another PAT to give La Joya their first lead of the night 28-21. Castillo would add another three points for La Joya by converting on a 33-yard field goal. The Bulldogs went to the air throughout most of the game with quarterback Jerry Lopez converting on 15-29-0, for 258 yards while La Joya rushed 61 times for 583 yards. Javier Acevedo also had a good night for the Coyotes with 16 carries for 130 yards and scoring one touchdown. La Joya’s bid for another playoff win ended the following week as they met Los Fresnos (12-0), the defending 32-5A district champs, and winners over PSJA 45-38 in the first round of the state playoffs. Nonetheless, running back Juan Martinez did show why he was the best back from District 30-5A by rushing for 297 yards and two touchdowns in their 55-28 loss to the Falcons. With the loss, Martinez ends his career in 2006 with 2,200 rushing yards. “We had a great year and now it’s time to get into the weight room,” said Villasenor.

Coyotes Win Title!Coyotes Win Title!


State 5A Division I Region IV Bi-District Championships

Bulldogs Back In Playoffs After Three Seasons; Win Bi-District Title

McHi Pound TorosMcHi Pound Toros

Back in the Playoffs! Carlos Cisneros gets ready to tackle a Laredo Cigarrora runner. The McHi Bulldogs entered the state playoffs after missing three seasons.

(HSSM Images)

(McAllen, Texas)- After posting three-straight losing seasons, head coach Tony Harris made sure that he fed his McAllen Bulldogs plenty of protein and kept them feisty all season long. The 30-5A Co-District Champions manhandled the Laredo Cigarroa Toros 45-12 in the first round of the State 5A Division II playoffs, giving the Bulldogs their first Bi-District Championship title in four years. The Bulldogs (9-2) were picked by HSSM to finish fifth in the district, but instead, they proved to everyone that they were better than what fans thought. Senior quarterback Joaquin Hinojosa passed for 239 yards and four touchdowns, along with his 99 yards rushing and two scores to extend the Bulldog’s season to one more week in the state playoffs against Harlingen South (9-2), winners over San Benito 21-16. Field goal kicker Christian Brom gave McHi their first score of the night with a 40-yard field goal with 7:34 left in the first period. He also converted 5-of-5 point attempts and by the time the third period had expired, Harris pulled

out most of his starters, after leading 45-12 at this point. McAllen was led by junior running back Manny Udor, who rushed six times for 35 yards, while Martin Ramirez caught four passes for 71 yards. In a rematch, the Harlingen South Hawks made sure that the McAllen Bulldogs would not win on their turf, after losing to McHi

in McAllen, 31-27 early in the season. Hinojosa passed for 345 yards and two touchdowns; his performance gave the Bulldogs an early 21-14 lead at the end of the half. Whatever head coach Jim Helms told his Hawks at halftime, the Hawks responded by containing Hinojosa and holding the Bulldogs scoreless in the second half, while

Corey Flowers caught an 18-yard pass from quarterback Sean Messick from 18-yards out to give the Hawks seven points and a 21-21 tie. Messick, again would respond with another drive, by scoring on a 12-yard run with :30 seconds left in the third period to give the Hawks a 28-21 lead. Kicker Rolando Salinas booted both extra points.



San Benito Ends Season With Loss To Harlingen South 21-16

Greyhounds Fall ShortGreyhounds Fall Short(San Benito, Texas)-Playing their first playoff game at the new Bobby Morrow Football Stadium before some 10,500 fans in San Benito (7-4), this would prove to be not enough to give the Greyhounds the victory they were

expecting at home, instead, the Harlingen South Hawks (9-2) flew past them with a 21-16 win in the State 5A Division II Bi-District Championships. “This is a tough loss, especially when you have high expectations on


Great Job Done! Head coach Mario Pena talks to his players after their loss to Harlingen South in the first round of the State 5A Division II Playoffs. (HSSM Images)

Greyhounds Fall Short winning,” said Mario Pena, head football coach of San Benito.

“This is a tough loss, especially when you have high expectations on winning,”

Mario Pena, head football coach of San Benito.

The Greyhounds finished third in a tough 32-5A District, posting losses to district champion Los Fresnos and second place Weslaco. On paper, the Greyhounds defeated the Hawks with more first downs gained (19-15), more passing yards (289-112), total yards gained

(375-255), but it was the Hawks rushing game that proved to be more destructive overall as Hawks head coach Jim Helms kept the ball on the ground with 143 yards rushing and allowing the Greyhounds just 89 yards on the field. Both schools traded touchdowns in the first quarter with Harlingen South scoring first on a one-yard scoring run by Michael Johnson. The extra point attempt by Rolando Salinas was good to make it 7-0 Hawks with 5:35 left in the first quarter. On the Greyhounds next possession, quarterback Ray De Los Santos led the purple offense into Hawks territory and then found Ivan Moreno for a 10-yard touchdown pass with :50 seconds left to play in the first period. The Greyhounds again, depended on the kicking foot of Ricky Rodriguez right before halftime, as he would connect on a 22-yard field goal to make it 10-7 at the half. Then it happened. De Los Santos threw his first interception of the night mid-way through the third period and Israel Neely of Harlingen South made the biggest catch of his playing career and returned it for the potential game-winning touchdown to give the Hawks a 14-10 lead. “That interception really hurt us in the end,” said Pena. The Hawks would gain more momentum with Johnson scoring from 12-yards out in the fourth quarter to extend the Hawks lead to 21-10. With the Greyhound loss, San Benito ended their season with hopes of rebuilding for the 2007 season. Leading the way for the Greyhounds were wide receivers Greg Castillo (7 catches-61 yards), Leroy Zamora (5-46), Angel Martinez (4-80), and Ivan Moreno (2-41, 2tds). De Los Santos led all Greyhounds on the ground with 20 carries for 73 yards. Abel Aguirre had two carries for seven yards for the Hounds along with Jonathon Medrano (1-7), Joe Garza (1-2), and Joey Nunez (1-0). For Hawks, on the other hand were led by Michael Johnson 22-123 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, while Logan Brown led all receivers with 4 catches for 57 yards.

Score Box: Harlingen South vs San Benito

SB 7 3 0 6 Final 16HS 7 0 7 7 21

Go Bears! CJ Arenas, rushed for 37 yards in their loss against the state-ranked Los Fresnos Falcons in the

State 5A Division I Playoffs. (HSSM Images)



State-ranked Los Fresnos win 45-38 as time runs out for Bears

PSJA Lose Close OnePSJA Lose Close One(Pharr, Texas)- For head coach Mel Rios of the PSJA Bears, making the playoffs as the fourth place team would have been good enough after playing probably one of the toughest Texas High School schedules ever in 2006. “I’m just glad we survived and I was very proud of my players. They overcame adversity when we were down,” adds Rios. The PSJA Bears barely made the playoffs after going head-to-head with five playoff teams in non-district and district play. “We played Los Fresnos, McAllen Memorial, Harlingen South, in our schedule this season. We lost all three games. All three teams went three-deep in the playoffs,” added Rios. The Bears entered the new realigned District 31-5A at 1-2, facing PSJA North in their district opener. That game resulted in another loss to put the Bears at 1-3 for the year. “That game would be the turning point for us. I told our kids that playing these tough games will help us,” said Rios. The Bears would post an impressive 4-2 record in the final six games with wins over all three

Edinburg schools and PSJA Memorial. Entering the playoffs in 2006, Rios knew that a rematch with State 5A

ranked No.10 Los Fresnos would be tough to play at home. The Falcons won 45-38 with quarterback

Jeremy Springer passing for 285 yards and three touchdowns. Springer would also rush up the middle for another score.

As for the Bears, Marco Garcia rushed for three touchdowns and gained 71 yards on the ground

on 13 carries. PSJA’s first year quarterback Mark Sahagun passed for 246 yards and connected with R.J. Olivarez for 80 yards in the first period to tie the game at 7-7. Miguel Monterrubio converted the extra point. In the end, PSJA outscored the high-powered Falcons in total yardage 483-384 and out-gained Los Fresnos on the ground with 237-99 rushing yards. But it was the gutsy plays that put the Bears in the cellar early on. “We took risks early on and we should have punted on several calls. They were a high powered offense,” said Rios. “Over the years, the margin of victory win-loss between Los Fresnos and the Bears has been seven points in the past five years,” he added. Now it’s back to the drawing boards for Rios and his coaching staff as they prepare for the 2007 season. In Mel Rio’s five years at PSJA, the Bears have made the playoffs in 2003, 2005, and 2006, with the exception of the 2002 season, where they missed the playoffs on a tie-breaker.

HawksAdvance

to next round

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Hawks Win! Quarterback Sean Messick leads his team against San Marcos in the Regional Semifnals in Class 5A Division II state football

playoffs in 2006. (HSSM Images)

PSJA Lose Close OnePSJA Lose Close One HawksAdvance

State 5A Division II Region Semifinals

(Harlingen, Texas)-From the start of the season, rumors started to circulate that this could be head coach Jim Helm’s last season as a Harlingen South Hawk. Either way, Helms continued with his duties and made sure that the Hawks would make the post season. “We need to play better on offense, I am not happy with our play. The season is still young,” said Helms after their loss to McHi in their season opener. That was back in September, and on Saturday night, the Harlingen South Hawks defeated the McAllen Bulldogs (9-3) 35-21 in the second round of the State 5A Division II Area Championships. With the win, the Hawks made it to the third round of the state playoffs for the second time since 1995. Defensively, the Hawks (10-3) held the Bulldogs scoreless in the second half and offensively, the Hawks took care of business by scoring 21 points in the second half to advance to the next round. A few years ago, Helms came back to the Valley and took over as head coach at Porter High School and led them to the 2003 State 4A playoffs for the first in school history. Now playing a Cinderella team like San Marcos (8-5) in the third round of the state playoffs, the Hawks would need to create more big plays, but nonetheless, the Rattlers proved that they would be the better team on this night at the Laredo Activity Center, winning 27-7 to advance to the quarterfinals. The Rattlers came into the game with more than 4,000 yards of rushing offense. Ironically, Helms told HSSM that “we need a running game if we are to succeed in 2006” after their loss to McHi. Again, he was right too. The Rattlers raced up and down the field three times and half, producing 382 yards on 58 carries, with most of those carries piled up by Kevin Stiles, who had 167 yards rushing for the night. The next question remains: Will Helms return in 2007?


Viva La Maquina! Jamonte Baker of Kingsville H.S. is sacked by stingy Yellowjacket defense. The Jackets won the Class 4A Bi-District title 42-20 (HSSM Images)

State 4A Division II Region IV Playoffs

Edcouch-Elsa Advances to the Third Round Again; Lose to Schertz Clemens

Jackets Win Again!(Elsa,Tx)-The Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets advanced to the third round of the State 4A Division II football playoffs for the second straight season, only to come up short again, losing to Schertz Clemens 56-14 at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas just like last year. Call it “voodoo by the gulf” but the Jackets made the pilgrimage to the same stadium in 2005 and lost to New Braunfels Canyon 38-10. Call it bad luck, call it whatever you may, head coach Joe Solis knows that fumbles gives him the most headaches in any game. “Anytime you fumble in a playoff game, things start to go bad real fast,” says Solis. The Yellowjackets played superb in their wins over Kingsville King High School (42-20) and Port Lavaca-Calhoun (39-18), but against the Buffaloes, two costly turnovers on their first two possessions ended up in scoring touchdowns. Edcouch-Elsa’s running back Rolando Loredo fumbled away his chance at their own 31-yard line. Four plays later, J.J. Johnson took it in from 22-yards out to give Schertz-

Clemens an early 7-0 lead. Again, quarterback George Rubio completed

a 15-yard pass to Aaron Tanguma but Clemen’s aggressive play from

Mycal Gradford recovered a stripped fumble at the Jacket’s 38-yard line. The


Jackets Win Again!


call to Johnson from 38-yards out, made it 14-0 with only 8:05 left to play in the first quarter. Head coach Solis could only watch his team self-destruct with six fumbles throughout the game, recovering three. The Yellowjackets did manage an impressive scoring drive, an 11-play, 83-yard

drive that helped set up a 32-yard touchdown pass from Rubio to Ronnie Perez.

failed. The Jackets still trailed 14-6 with 4:02 left to play in the second quarter. With just under a

for his third touchdown, this time, untouched for 77 yards. In the second half, Schertz Clemens (12-1) completely broke through the Jacket’ defense with two more touchdown runs by Lee Roy Smith (59 yds), and Charles Ross (65 yards). Johnson led all rushers with 16 carries for 223 yards and four touchdowns. George Rubio completed passes for 16-of-32 for 247 yards and one touchdown. The Jackets (12-1) complete another season, staying undefeated in 32-4A for three consecutive seasons and posting an impressive 24-2 record for two straight years.

To make matters worse, the extra point attempt

minute to play in the half, J.J. Johnson broke loose

“Anytime you fumble in a playoff game, things start to go bad real fast,”

Joe Solis-Edcouch-Elsa Head Coach

Bobbled Ball! Art Hayes of Kingsville H.S. watches the ball come loose as he at-

tempts to kick a field goal. The Jackets won the Class

4A Bi-District title 42-20 (HSSM Images)

Class 4ADivision II

Playoff Results

Edcouch-Elsa 42Kingsville 20Bi-District title

Edcouch-Elsa 39Port Lavaca 18

Area Title

Edcouch-Elsa 14Schertz-Clemens 56

Regional Semifinals


State 4A Division II Region IV Bi-District Playoffs


Mercedes Enters State 4A Playoffs since 1999 with Head Coach LealMercedes Enters State 4A Playoffs since 1999 with Head Coach Leal

Tigers Make Playoffs!(See story on page 38)


Tigers Make Playoffs! Tiger Huddle! The Mercedes Tigers clinch third place in 32-4A and a state playoff spot

since 1999. (HSSM Images)


Back in the Playoffs! Head coach Gilbert Leal, only in his second year as a head coach at Mercedes leads his Tigers

against Calallen in the State 4A Division II playoffs. (HSSM Images)

(Mercedes)-Passionate is the best word that describes second-year head coach Gilbert Leal of the Mercedes Tigers as he led his Tigers (6-5) against state-ranked Calallen (11-0) in the first round of the State 4A Division II playoffs. Last year, Leal told HSSM that he would get the Tigers back in the playoffs in 2006 and he was right too. HSSM picked the Tigers to finish second in District 32-4A, but instead, the Longhorn-colored Tigers took third. “This could have been a championship year if simple miscues against Edcouch-Elsa and Mission would have gone differently,” says Leal. The Tigers won the home-field advantage to host the Calallen Wildcats in the first round and with all the excitement circulating throughout this community of 10,000, Leal pauses to talk about his love for the game. “I love this game of football. It brings communities together,” he adds. The 1990’s are the days that kept this town alive as they made the playoffs seven times but since then, this town has been thirsting for a run at a State 4A title. Calallen came into town sporting their pride and

Wildcat followers. The Tigers managed to hold the Wildcats scoreless after one quarter but the Tiger offense started to sputter. “We could not get things going. We had our

chances,” added Leal. The Tiger’s defense continue to claw the offensive walls of Calallen but then the Wildcats surmounted a drive which ended on a

17-yard run for the end zone by Ryan Duke. The extra point attempt failed keeping the score at 6-0 with 4:32 left to play in the first half. Head coach Phil Danaher of Calallen was disappointed with his team’s performance. “We came out flat,” said Danaher. The Wildcats would charge again with another score, but this time on a pass from Duke to Matthew Garza from six yards out. The two-point conversion failed keeping the Class 4A No. 3 state-ranked Wildcats held to 12-0 at the half. With upset-minded Mercedes gloating at half-time, trailing the 2005 State 4A finalist by 12 points, Leal tried to get his offense moving in the right direction in the second half. The end result was no points in the second half and the Wildcats held Mercedes to 140 total offensive yards for the Tigers throughout the night, along with four turnovers. Calallen also made sure that the Tigers top running back was held behind the lines allowing sophomore Alex Trevino 12 carries for 32 yards. The final score: Calallen 27 Mercedes 0.

1990 (4A)Gregory-Portland 28 Mercedes 17 (area)

1992 (4A)Mercedes 30 South San 0 (bi-district)

Calallen 27 Mercedes 15 (area)

1993 (4A)Mercedes 21 Floresville 0 (bi-district)

Gregory-Portland 42 Mercedes 27

(area)

1994 (4A)Gregory-Portland 35 Mercedes 20 (area)

1995 (4A)Uvalde 35 Mercedes 17 (area)

1996 (4A)

Calallen 61 Mercedes 13 (Div II, Bi-district)

1999 (4A)Mercedes 14 Rockport Fulton 7 (Div II Bi-District)

Floresville 22 Mercedes 0

(Div II, Area)

Playoffs Since 1990Mercedes Tiger’s

Class 4A Division II Playoffs...

State 3A Division II Region IV Area Championships

PI defeats Lyford for Bi-District Title; Advances to 2nd Round

Tarpons Are Back...


(HSSM Images)

(See Story on next Page)


PI’s Road To Glory Since 2000-20062000Falfurrias 42 PI 8Div II Bi-District2001PI 48 San Diego 6Div II Bi-DistrictYoakum 10 PI 0Div II Area2002

PI 43 Bishop 14Div II Bi-DistrictPI 20 Aransas Pass 19Div II AreaBandera 27 PI 24Div II Reg Semifinals2003PI 28 Orange Grove 0Div II Bi-District

PI 35 Hondo 20Div II AreaPI 35 Liberty Hill 27Div II Reg SemifinalsPI 63 Altair Rice Con 61 (4OT)Div II QuarterfinalsMarlin 41 PI 10Div State Semifinals

2004PI 48 Orange Grove 21Div II Bi-DistrictPI 35 Ingleside 25Div II AreaHalletsville 10 PI 7Div II Reg Semifinals2005PI 41 West Oso 14

Div II Bi-DistrictDevine 42 PI 14Div II Area2006PI 34 Lyford 6Div II Bi-DistrictOrange Grove 12 PI 7Div II Area

Six Straight Bi-District Titles! PI quarterback David Alaniz led his team to the State 3A playoffs and a 32-3A

District title in 2006. (HSSM Images)

(Port Isabel, Tx)-In Monty Stumbaugh’s first six sea-sons with the Port Isabel Tarpons, he has led them to six straight State 3A Di-vision II Bi-District titles. While most PI fans will not notice this accomplish-ment due to their thirst for a state title, instead, Stumbaugh was widely criticized in 2005 for his overall 5-7 record and (4-2) third place district fin-ish. This year, Stumbaugh gave PI fans what they re-ally wanted, a nine game winning streak, a win over Rio Hondo, a 32-3A Dis-trict title, plus another bi-district win in the State 3A Division II playoffs over Lyford 34-6. Against Lyford in the 3A Division II Bi-District championships, Port Isa-bel would strike first on a 62-yard touchdown run by Diego Garcia on the Tarpon’s first possession. The PAT failed, PI led 6-0 with 10:27 left to play in the first period. The Tar-pons would continue their onslaught of the Bulldogs with a flea-flicker play with Rolando Greiner find-ing James Delgado open for a 71-yard touchdown pass with 1:16 left to play

in the half. The PAT was good, PI led 21-6. PI outgained the Bull-

dogs in total yardage 388-193 and the biggest set back for the Bulldogs

were the four turnovers; Bulldog quarterback Joey Rios contributed to three interceptions of the four turnovers. Ralph Valdez led all PI rushers with 11 carries for 58 yards and two TDs. James Delgado had a big night for the Tar-pons by hauling in three catches for 150 yards and one touchdown. Despite the Bi-District title, head coach Monty Stumbaugh cheered with excitement in what he thought was the biggest game of the year. He told HSSM that the biggest win of the year was against Rio Hondo for the outright district title. “This win to-night was huge for our program. Our team fought hard and we won,” said a jubilant Stumbaugh. Now after six straight bi-district titles and a sec-ond round loss to Orange Grove (12-6) in the 2006 Class 3A Division II Area playoffs, the Tarpons will reload in 2007 with hopes of making another run for the state title. In 2003, the Tarpons advanced to the State 3A Division II semi-finals, losing to Marlin 41-10.

“This win tonight was huge for our program. Our team fought hard and we won,”

PI head coach Monty Stumbaugh

State 3A Division II Region IV Area Championships

Lose in Area Playoffs to State-Ranked Cuero

Rio Hondo


Wins Bi-District

Another Bi-District Title! Rio Hondo players watch anxiously to celebrate as they defeated Raymondville 37-0 in the State

3A Division II Bi-District Championship. (HSSM Images)

(Raymondville,Tx)-The return of the 31-3A Raymondville Bearkats (6-5) to the 2006 state playoffs was a rude awakening for new head coach Alex Leal. The home field advantage and a new stadium would not stop the 32-3A runner-up, Rio Hondo Bobcats (10-1) as they dismantled the Bearkats 37-0 in Class 3A Division II Bi-district championships. Bearkat QB Carlo Dominguez found himself on the run throughout most of the night, chased by linebackers Eric Gantt and Alonzo Garza. The end result: four sacks, one fumble, and four interceptions. Jacob Martinez led all rushers with 16 carries and 123 yards while Rio Hondo head coach Gus Cavazos watched his Bobcats limit the Leal’s team to 120 total yards. The district’s leading rusher, Robbie Mesa sat out the game with a knee injury he acquired against the Port Isabel Tarpons two weeks ago. Against the No.3 team in Class 3A, the Cuero Gobblers handed the Bobcats their second loss of the year in the State 3A Division II Area Championships 21-8. Bobcat running back Robbie Mesa made his debut after three weeks sporting a knee injury

and scored on a nine-yard run, late in the fourth quarter to give Rio Hondo their only score of the night. Mesa finished with 15 carries for 77 yards. Aaron Garza added 11 carries for 24 yards. The Gobblers took their first possession and gobbled up most of the time on the clock, scoring on 11-yard pass from Kyle Noack to Kaeron Johnson to make it 7-0 with 3:52 left to play in the first quarter. The Rio Hondo Bobcats were flagged eight times for 100 yards, which stopped key drives throughout the evening. In the end, it was Ace Stone catching a 13-yard pass from Noack with 1:46 left to play in the game to seal the Gobbler’s victory. The Gobblers made 19 first downs to Rio Hondo’s 13 and accummlated 282-239 total yards. Mesa ended his career at Rio Hondo with 1,425 yards rushing in nine games, scoring 23 touchdowns in 2006. Overall, he rushed for 2,725 yards in two seasons as a Bobcat. Last year, the Bobcats won the 32-3A District title with a perfect 6-0 record and won the school’s first Bi-District title since 1961 over Orange Grove 8-0, before falling to Ingleside 31-19 in the Class 3A Division II Area state playoffs.


Time after time I have seen individuals at the gym performing these exercises wrong. Most young athletes are told to perform these three main exercises to increase strength, build muscle and power. But are they taught proper form and technique. No, they are told to just lift heavy and they will increase strength and power. That is true to a degree, but it can lead to injury. These are the king of all exercises, and when perform right results will come injury-free. They are the foundation in any exercise routine, in any giving sport. They will help build power, strength and muscle tone to enhance your ability to perform better in any sport.

I will describe and explain proper form and technique. If you are a beginner have an expert guide and watch you, never perform with out a spotter.

The ULTIMATE FITNESSwith Jason O. Martinez

B.B.A., CPT

1. DeadliftsThe squat may be the king. But, the deadlift is certainly a serious monarch in the physique building kingdom. ‘Pulling’ is probably one of the best movements for overall leg and lower back growth, plain and simple. Dead Lifts hit your quads, hamstrings, glutes, spinal erectors, abs, traps, and upper lats.Then if it’s such a great excercise why aren’t more individuals incorporating them into their exercise programs? Like squatting performing dead lifts are extremely taxing on the body, mentally and physically. But, there is a reason most gym goers are not performing dead lifts in their lifting programs it’s because, quite frankly, most only lift for recreation. Though these so-called lifters say they want to look like Ronnie Coleman or think they are training intensely, only the true bodybuilders and weight lifters dead train. Most people don’t know how to perform this lift properly nor have I seen those “certified” personal trainers describe the movement properly to a novice lifter

HOW TO PERFORMPlace an Olympic barbell on the floor and make sure that there is plenty of room on either side of the bar. Load the bar with the appropriate poundage, place your feet approximately shoulder width apart, and make sure that the bar is over the tops of your feet at the midpoint (halfway between your toes and your heel).From this position, bend down and grasp the bar. Place your left-hand in an underhand grip and your right hand in overhand grip. Making sure that your knees do not shoot out over your toes, lower your buttocks to the floor until it your thighs are parallel to the floor. It is of extreme importance that your lower back does not become arched during this movement. If, during this movement, your lower back becomes arched, you dramatically increase the chances of sustaining a career ending lower back injury.Using perfect form for this exercise should be your primary concern. After you have followed the above instructions and are ready to perform the movement, contract your shoulder blades, look straight ahead and explode upward from the bottom of the movement.

2. SquatsThe squat is a movement that involves strength. Although this exercise targets primarily the quadriceps, it also works the buttocks, the hamstrings, the hips and the lower back.

HOW TO PERFORMFor this movement use a power rack that enables you to use safety rails if you do not have a spotter. Place an Olympic barbell in the power rack (at the correct height). Load the bar with the appropriate poundage. I do not recommended placing plates under your heels to perform this movement as this will change the center of gravity and increase the chance of knee strain resulting from improper form.As you put yourself under the bar, grip the bar and place it evenly on the trapezius muscles. Pay careful attention to bring the shoulder blades together as this will determine the placement of your hands on the bar. It is of extreme importance that the bar does not rest on the back of your neck; it should instead rest just beneath where your neck and your back connectAfter you are in the ideal position, unrack the bar and walk forward placing your feet proximally shoulder width apart. Make sure that your feet are facing outward at and angle of approximately twenty-five degrees. After you have followed the above instructions and are ready to perform the movement, look straight ahead and, keeping your back completely straight and your knees behind your toes, lower the weight toward the floor.

3. Flat Bench PressThe flat bench press is a movement that involves strength and speed. The target muscles are the

pectorals, but deltoids, triceps, trapezius and the lats also share a significant amount of the work, as they assist in the movement.

HOW TO PERFORMFor this movement you can use a power rack with safety rails, or a flat bench. Load the bar with the appropriate poundage. As you put yourself under the bar grip the bar and plant your feet firmly on the ground, place your hands far enough apart that when you bring the bar down to your chest your arms form a ninety degree angle. The ideal grip is slightly wider than shoulder width.The path that the bar should take on the down portion of the movement is such that at the band of the down portion of the movement the bar will be slightly above the nipple line.Pay careful attention to control the movement on the way down and on the way up. Many people bounce the bar off their sternum. This will result in extremely painful injury, and the end of a bodybuilding career. If you find yourself doing this, stop immediately. If you must, reduce the amount of weight that you are lifting so that you perform the exercise correctly. By incorporating the exercises listed here into an existing routine, and/or by making them cornerstones of future routines you will be ensuring that massive, continual, muscle growth and strength increases are yours.

Hi, My Name is Adam,I want you to join me in my walk with diabetes. I have TYPE 1 Juvenile Diabetes. Eventhough my walk with diabetes at this time is permanent, our walk together may lead to new discoveries. The America Walk can improve the lives for thousands of childrenlike me. By walking on my team, together we can raise money and support research thatsomeday will change the lives for millions of children.I Love playing Soccer everyday, please make a donation today.

ADAM’S TEAMDonate to

Your donation will make a difference!

Support Adam’s Walk in the amount of_____$25_____ $50_____ $75_____$100

To Mail a Donation, make checks payableto the American Diabetes Association

and send to:

Adam Bieker423 Nolana West

McAllen, Texas 78504956-457-8688

http://main.diabetes.org

Anyone can also go to Adam’s Website and Sign Up or Make a Donation to Adam’s Walk Team

Proud supporters

Optical IllusionRGV Optical Lab

McAllen,Tx

(Check one)


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OntheSidelineswith David “TDDAVE” Amador

HSSM Sportswriter

Now that football season is over, most, if not all, high school football coaches are exhausted and tired by now. Football coaches spend endless amount of time away from their families or even themselves. Throughout each season these coaches are found in the misty, sweat-filled coaching dens of every high school in South Texas with the doors shut and locked out from the world outside beginning in August and ending in December, sometimes seven days a week, for more than 12 hours a day. Are they under-paid? You bet! Varsity head football coaches are not just football coaches, they are administrators in their field. Most head football coaches are given the positions of Athletic Coordinators or even Athletic Directors. Both positions require overseeing the entire school and making sure that each sport, coach, and player is complying with U.I.L. rules. That’s just one task. The other, is planning and setting up budgets for every sport and making sure that equipment is ordered on time, just to name a few responsibilities for managing one high school, not counting the middle schools. Being a varsity football head coach means big business. These individuals maintain a staff of more than 50 coaches from all sports. So how much are they worth? Football coaches bring fans all the excitement they expect every Friday night. And for your enjoyment, these coaches start preparing for the following season as soon as the last game is played. One athletic director/head football coach from South Texas agrees. He says, “football head coaches are under paid.” He also continued to add that his “coaching staff puts in too many over time hours for what they earn.” “Friday Night Lights” is big business for every school district and business community and now, it’s time to pay up. More wins, means more dollars.

More wins, means more dollars.

Send us your responses withname, address, phone number to:

[email protected]



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2006 RGV COACHING RECORDS-OVERALL W L T W L T

WWW.HSSMONLINE.NET

District 30-5A Oscar Villasenor, La Joya.............Tom Chavez, Donna.....................Tony Harris, McAllen...................Bill Littleton, McA Memorial.......Gary Lauer, McA Rowe................Jesus Lozano, RGC.......................Fred Sanchez, Sharyland............

District 31-5ARandy Cretors, Harlingen...........James Helms, Har South.............Robert R. Vela, Edinburg..................Oscar Salinas, Economedes.......Roy R. Garza, Ed North................Mel Rios, PSJA.............................Joe R. Sanchez, PSJA Mem.........Orlando Garcia, PSJA North.............

District 31-3AArturo Garcia, Falfurrias.............Jaime Infante, Lyford..................Alex Leal, Raymondville.............Tom Carrera, San Diego..............Mario Arce, Zapata.....................

District 32-3AJorge Pena, Hidalgo....................Robert D. Valdez, La Feria...........Monty Stumbaugh, Port Isabel..Elvis Hernandez, Progreso.........Gus Cavazos, Rio Hondo.............

District 32-2ATuffy Martinez, Santa Rosa........Joe Rios, Premont........................

District 32-1AJoe Salinas, La Villa......................

District 30-5A Oscar Villasenor, La Joya.............Tom Chavez, Donna.....................Tony Harris, McAllen...................Bill Littleton, McA Memorial.......Gary Lauer, McA Rowe................Jesus Lozano, RGC.......................Fred Sanchez, Sharyland............

District 31-5ARandy Cretors, Harlingen...........James Helms, Har South.............Robert R. Vela, Edinburg...............Oscar Salinas, Economedes.......Roy R. Garza, Ed North................Mel Rios, PSJA.............................Joe R. Sanchez, PSJA Mem.........Orlando Garcia, PSJA North.............

District 32-4AJoe Solis, Ed-Elsa........................... Gilbert Leal, Mercedes..................Tom Lee, Mission............................Carlos Longoria, Mission Vets.......Cris Cavazos, Roma.........................Joshua Gonzalez, Valley View........Armando Cuellar, Weslaco East.....

District 31-3AArturo Garcia, Falfurrias.............Jaime Infante, Lyford..................Alex Leal, Raymondville.............Tom Carrera, San Diego..............Mario Arce, Zapata.....................

District 32-3AJorge Pena, Hidalgo....................Robert D. Valdez, La Feria...........Monty Stumbaugh, Port Isabel..Elvis Hernandez, Progreso.........Gus Cavazos, Rio Hondo.............

District 32-2ATuffy Martinez, Santa Rosa........Joe Rios, Premont........................

District 32-1AJoe Salinas, La Villa......................

136-82-3113-8271-5649-3832-417-471-39

62-3847-25-2137-7323-355-1430-2340-4466-31

64-5011-1010-1939-34106-660-1028-55

5-1547-36198-95-62-1820-13

61-6382-5352-2353-85-123-9

2-825-26

19-15


District 32-5A Tony Villarreal, Weslaco...............Scott Ford, Los Fresnos................Mario Pena, San Benito...............Valentin Montemayor, Lopez......Rene Medrano, Pace....................James Kizer, Porter......................Tony Padilla, Hanna.....................Sal Hernandez, Rivera.................

141-6440-1763-51-341-5342-504-164-167-13

One of the Top-Winning Coaches in South Texas

Robert Vela-Edinburg H.S.

Documents

High School Sports Magazine-December 2006 Issue