Sub-4A Notebook: Recognizing the best in the lower ranks

Looking back on the just-completed regular season, there was plenty to talk about in Districts 32-3A, 32-2A and 32-A. There were obvious milestones, unfortunate occurrences and some amazing games. A quick take on Sub-4A football this season in the form of a few awards. Please note these derive from sub-4A teams only:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Lyford QB Johnny Esparza. The senior passed for 2,671 yards and 29 TDs. He rushed for 331 yards and 11 more scores, giving him 3,002 total yards with 40 TDs. And he’s not done yet.

RUSHING KING

Over his last six games, Port Isabel’s Joe Vega was as good as any running back. He went over 200 yards rushing in three of his last five games to finish as 32-3A’s leading rusher with 1,353 yards. He edged Progreso’s Armando Pintor (1,330) by 23 yards.

TOP TARGET

Lyford’s Jacob Carranco was one of several threats in the passing game. He ended up as 32-3A’s top wideout in receptions (44) and yards (601).

SCORING CHAMP

Thanks to some big-time games, including a six-TD outing against Progreso, Zapata’s Andrew Magee finished as the top scorer in the league with 86 total points (14 TDs, one 2-point conversion). Magee did it all for the Hawks, rushing and receiving his way to the top as they returned to the playoffs.

NEW FACE OF THE YEAR

While the stats will have to be sifted through, La Feria’s Gilbert Jimenez stepped up as a sophomore and became the go-to guy in the Lions’ offense. Jimenez finished with 30 catches for 585 yards and 9 touchdowns. He totaled nearly 700 yards on offense.

MR. DO-IT-ALL

Rio Hondo’s Trevor David rushed for 730 yards and 8 touchdowns while adding over 100 tackles at linebacker. David was a force on both sides of the ball and helped the Cats back into the playoffs.

STEP-UP AWARD

While Santa Rosa missed the playoffs, Josh Watrous came through in big ways for the Warriors. Watrous took a stranglehold of the running back spot and pounded out a 32-2A-best 1,004 yards and 13 TDs.

MILESTONE

Lyford’s first 10-0 season since 1969. What was originally thought of as a record-keeping snafu, this year’s run was indeed the first in 40 years for the Dogs. Lyford’s terrific ’91 team finished 9-4 after starting out 0-3 and fell to Edna in the third round.

SITE CHANGE

La Villa’s playoff game against state-ranked Falls City has changed sites.

The Cards and Beavers will now tangle at Bulldog Stadium in Banquete, just up the road from its original site, Bishop. Construction of the new Bishop High School adjacent to Ed Gorny Stadium provides parking issues that both coaches decided to avoid. The game is still Friday at 7:30 p.m.

GRIDIRON GREATS

Here are the stars from Week 10:

>> PI’s Vega went for a season-high 243 yards with two touchdowns in the Tarpons’ thrilling OT win at Progreso.

>> Isaiah De la Cruz had 130 yards rushing with a TD to help Rio Hondo hold off La Feria and earn a playoff spot.

>> Magee had his third-straight 100-yard rushing game for Zapata (132) as the Hawks beat Hidalgo.

>> Bobby De la Paz has a season-high 264 yards passing with 3 TDs through the air for Raymondville in the annual Willacy County Cotton Bowl.

Armando Garza covers sub-4A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers.