Vikings trio comes away with All-Metro awards after breakthrough season

Having qualified for the state football playoffs four straight times prior to this year, just reaching the postseason wasn’t going to be enough for the Pace Vikings in 2011.

An experienced group that included 50-plus seniors returned this season, so expectations were naturally higher, and the Vikings came through by taking an even greater step. Pace went 9-3 during a strong season that was highlighted by a 28-21 win over previously undefeated Weslaco High on Nov. 5 and a 42-21 bi-district road triumph over PSJA North on Nov. 11. The Vikings’ season came to an end Nov. 19 following a 35-6 loss to District 29-5A champion Laredo Alexander in the second round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs.

Befitting their accomplishments, the Vikings have captured three top honors on The Brownsville Herald’s 2011 All-Metro Team.

Rene Medrano is the All-Metro coach of the year, while senior nose guard Ubaldo Encinia and junior running back-wide receiver Adrian Alejandro are the All-Metro defensive player of the year and All-Metro newcomer of the year, respectively.

Medrano, who has guided the Vikings to the playoffs seven times during his 14 years as Pace’s head coach, said he considers the 2011 season a “pinnacle” achievement for the program.

“I’d have to agree that this was one of our most satisfying seasons,” Medrano said. “I’m really ecstatic about what this senior group achieved because it’s good to know you can put your heart and soul into something as far as work habits go, like this group did, and have good things come out of it.”

Medrano previously was The Herald’s All-Metro coach of the year in 2000 and 2004. He was the All-Valley coach of the year in 2000. He also has received honors as head baseball coach at Porter and Harlingen High in the 1980s and 1990s.

“I’ve said it a hundred times that our (2011) season really began a long time ago with this group of players,” Medrano said. “When you have more than 50 seniors who are all committed to the same cause like these guys were, that’s really a satisfying feeling.

“It’s not really about me (being All-Metro coach of the year), it’s more about these players and the coaches on our staff,” he added. “It’s just a reflection on them. It was a special year with a great group, and it all just fell into place. This season just solidifies what we’ve been doing here all along.”

Encinia, a 5-foot-11, 275-pounder, previously has earned recognition for his standout play in the middle of the Vikings’ defensive line during his three years as a starter. Despite being routinely double-teamed, Encinia this season finished with 36 tackles, eight sacks, 13 pass hurries and one fumble recovery.

“Being a leader for this team, it felt great, and it couldn’t have been any better,” said Encinia, who hopes to have a chance to play college ball. “It wouldn’t have been any better at any other school. Playing for Coach Medrano was an honor. I’ll always remember making history for Pace (by winning our bi-district game). I can always look back and remember that and not regret any down, any play or anything.

“Playing football has taught me a lot and helped me develop good character,” he added. “It has brought me a long way by keeping me on the right track. Getting this (All-Metro) award is a great honor, and it shows me that hard work can pay off.

“It was a great ride (this season). I’d just like to thank everybody who supported us.”

Alejandro was a starting wide receiver who was called upon to fill in at running back after starter Sam Trejo went out with an injury in the first half during a District 32-5A opener against Lopez on Sept. 23. Alejandro responded by rushing for 223 yards and two touchdowns, mostly in the second half of a 34-0 victory over the Lobos.

Alejandro, a 5-6, 145-pound junior, finished the season with more than 1,000 all-purpose yards, recording 631 yards rushing, 348 yards receiving on 20 catches and 272 yards on kickoff returns. He wound up with four rushing TDs and five TD receptions along with a 94-yard non-scoring return on a kickoff.

“When I saw that Sam got hurt, someone was going to have to step up to the plate, and I knew it was going to have to be me, so I did it because I had to do it,” Alejandro said. “I was thinking, ‘If Sam goes down, he’s our best guy, imagine me (playing)?’ But (assistant) Coach (Ray) Bohn told me to play for Sam and not think about myself (and that helped).

“I wasn’t really thinking about winning an award or anything like that,” he added. “I just wanted to play for Coach Medrano and help the team get past the first round (of the playoffs).

“I had to step up (just like our seniors) and play like them. It didn’t really hit me (about how well we did) until after the season finished. Now I think about the season and it makes me want to play harder and do better next year. It’s kind of a motivation for me (winning the All-Metro newcomer award).”

Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.