Rios will keep watchful eye on McHi-Harlingen game

PSJA High coach Mel Rios will have an interest in this week's Monitor Game of the Week between McAllen High and Harlingen High at 7:30 p.m. Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. His Bears take on McAllen High in Week 2 and have an important District 31-5A meeting with Harlingen High in Week 7.

Rios was interviewed about Bear Pride and Friday's big Week 0 game between McHi and Harlingen High.

Q: Is there really such a thing as Bear Pride?

A: Of course there is. It has been going on for many years. There has always been Bear Pride. It is almost like a stigma.

Q: What exactly is Bear Pride?

A: I think Bear Pride is a never-give-up attitude. It is what playing hard-nosed football on both sides of the ball is all about.

Q: Give me an example of when Bear Pride has worked.

A: It has worked many different times. When you challenge the kids at one point or another, when you are behind or need a long drive, you need to kick it into overtime or you need to kick a field goal to win it. It's when you block a field goal or you pick up a fumble and take it back 80 yards to win the game.

It is that kind of feeling where you are not going to say, "No." It is one of those things where it is not over until the clock says zero.

Q: How is it different from other mantras, like "We are McHi?"

A: It's just a feeling that you have knowing that there is a chance. You will find a way to win, is basically what it is.

Q: What's the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you on the sidelines?

A: I can't remember any. I'm pretty serious about everything once the game starts.

Q: So you have never fallen down or been knocked down by a player?

A: For my age, I move quicker than you think. With something like that, you just react.

Q: Do you agree with who was named the No. 1 player in The Monitor's 100 Greatest series?

A: I pretty much picked the last five, but I had them in different order. Actually, I had Tom Landry No. 1 and Koy Detmer No. 2 simply because of who Tom Landry was and what he accomplished. He was, of course, a good football player like Koy Detmer and went on to play in the NFL like Koy. He then went on to become one of the greatest coaches in the NFL, so that was my reasoning behind it.

Q: Are you sending any coaches to scout the McAllen High-Harlingen High game Friday?

A: As matter of fact, my entire staff will be there. That is going to be an early classic matchup of two good teams picked high this season, especially with what McAllen High brings back and the intensity that Harlingen plays with.

Q: When you go out there to scout, are you more concerned about McHi, a team you play in two weeks, or Harlingen High, your district rival?

A: Harlingen. That is the game that is going to determine where we finish in district. Even though we are concerned with McHi because you want to compete and win, it is not a game that is going to determine anything other than it is going to make you a better team.

Q: McHi asked you to be a part of its special schedule this year, in which it plays old rivals during non-district. Is it something you guys gladly wanted to be a part of?

A: McHi and the Bears have played many times before, and there has always been close games between the teams. There have been marathon games and high-scoring games. We have played each other plenty before.

But I needed a game this year, and (McAllen High coach) Tony Harris called and somewhat convinced me to play him. Knowing the kind of team he had coming back, I must have been crazy.

Any time you play McHi, that is an old, traditional game.

Q: Coach, predict the winner of the Game of The Week between McAllen High and Harlingen High.

A: I think it is going to be a very close game, but McHi has the edge on the fact that they have quite a few more returning lettermen and starters than Harlingen High. It is going to be a drag-out, hard game. I'm going to give the edge to McHi.

Peter Rasmussen covers District 30-5A for Valley Freedom Newspaper. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via e-mail at prasmussen@themonitor.com.