Gonzalez impresses in Palmview scrimmage

LA JOYA -- After his team's first-ever scrimmage last week, La Joya Palmview coach Manuel Flores said there were a lot of positives to take from Saturday's practice game against Hidalgo.

The Pirates defeated the Lobos 3-2 but the latter held an early lead after their first drive. Jonathan Gonzalez, who is up for the starting job, led the Lobos down the field for the 1-0 Palmview lead.

"He really took control of the offense," Flores said about the junior signal caller. "We scored on that opening drive and he was a big reason why. He ran our offense really, really well.

"He was a J.V. quarterback (for La Joya High) last year but varsity is a whole different animal. We were really happy with the poise he showed out there."

Flores stopped short of calling Gonzalez the starter. Gonzalez is battling sophomore Javier Femat for the job.

"We still have a good battle going on," Flores said. "The young kid, Femat, got quite a bit of playing time and he looked good in spots. We pretty much decided as a staff to give these kids as much playing time before district starts and really let the players decide who is going to win it out."

Palmview is back on the field at 7 tonight at home against La Feria and open its inaugural season next week at home against Zapata.

"We still have some things to improve on," Flores said. "We targeted some things that we need to work on for (today's) scrimmage. I think the players are willing to work on these areas."

WHAT'S THE NAME

La Joya ISD athletic director Victor Garza said the stadium that houses all three La Joya programs will be named La Joya ISD Stadium. Although many people have called it Coyote Stadium through the years, Garza said that was never its official name.

To avoid confusion now that Palmview and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln play in the stadium, Garza said the district will keep the stadium name generic.

GETTING A LOOK

Donna wide receiver Aaron Jackson (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) is receiving attention from at least one college scout. Tim Cray an independent football scout based out of New Mexico sent film of Jackson to Tennessee State University, a football championship subdivision program.

"He probably has the ability to play defensive end at the next level," Cray said. "I'm looking at him mainly for potential based on his height, weight, speed and versatility. I would say he can play defensive end or tight end for sure based on his size and quickness."

Cray said he received DVD of Jackson, who runs a 4.8, from Donna defensive coordinator George Gomez, adding that he also has an interest in Harlingen High quarterback John Murphy.

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