A Texas Classic

MERCEDES - High school football in June?
In Mercedes, no problem.
About 250 people showed up at the Livestock Show Grounds on Tuesday evening as legendary Texas sportswriter Dave Campbell brought his 10-city promotional tour to the Queen City.
Campbell's Texas Football Magazine has sponsored the Texas Football Classic every season for the past 10 years.
And this season the Mercedes Tigers will play in San Antonio against the No. 7 ranked Port Lavaca Calhoun Sandcrabs Saturday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Alamodome.
"We're very honored at the opportunity to play in this Classic," Mercedes head football coach and athletic director Gilbert Leal said. "We've had other Valley teams represent the Valley at this game and they've done a great job. We just want to go up there and continue to represent the Valley well."
Leal said he was glad to see so many Mercedes fans showed up to support the Tigers, the game and Campbell's publication, which has become the number one authority on high school football in Texas.
"Mercedes eats football 365," Leal said. "Mercedes High School has a long football tradition. People talk about it at Christmas, at Easter and at coffee shops. This is a gift we can give to the people here in Mercedes."
Mercedes is the first sub-5A school to get selected to play in the Classic.
The Donna Redskins paved the way for Valley schools playing and winning their game against Lubbock Monterrey in 2004.
McAllen Memorial beat Victoria Memorial in their game in 2006.
Harlingen, McHi and La Joya lost their games.
"High school football is improving down here," Campbell said. "It used to be that there were a few good ones. But from top to bottom, Valley football's improved a lot year to year."
Leal said the Tigers are going to the game intent on winning.
At the same time, they know it's a privilege to play in this yearly spectacle.
"There's some established (sub-5A) schools down here that deserve to play up there too," Leal added. "So we're honored and we're going to take advantage of the opportunity."
It's also an opportunity for players like Mercedes running back Alex Treviño and quarterback Albert Chavez to get some exposure on the statewide level.
"It's a tremendous way to market the talent we have here at Mercedes," Leal said. "We have some gifted athletes in Alex, Albert and Izzy (running back Israel Vela)."