Sharyland takes 10-0 record into postseason

MISSION — Describe Sharyland’s season how you like. Undefeated, perfect or 10-0 all have a nice ring to it.

What the Rattlers have done to get to this point in the season, though, is meaningless no matter how it’s painted. A 10-1 record is nice but not if the loss is in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Rattlers will look to avoid a bi-district let down when they play host to the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs at 7:30 Friday at Rattler Stadium.

It is a game on paper the Rio Grande Valley’s second-ranked team is favored to win. Rattlers coach Fred Sanchez said the team’s 10-0 record is no accident, praising his team for remaining focused week to week.

“You cannot take this game lightly,” Sanchez said. “There have been a lot of 10-0 teams that have fallen short because they are happy with 10-0. Now it’s time to get ready for the playoffs. It’s a new season.”

If the Rattlers win, they will tie the 2003 team with the most wins in a season with 11. Many players on the team are already playoff tested after last season’s three-deep run. If they match that, the Rattlers will be the winningest team in program history.

But that is in the future and Alexander (4-6) is on the Rattlers’ minds. The Bulldogs won four of their last six games to make the playoffs. Sanchez said the Bulldogs’ 0-4 start was indicative of their tough schedule. One of those losses was a 26-22 setback to Donna, a team Sharyland beat 56-21.

“All season long we have been giving that same speech of one week at a time,” Sanchez said. “Certainly, it wouldn’t be a good feeling to lose your first playoff game when you are supposed to win because of your record.

“That is another reason why we want to keep our focus. We have to take this one game as a new season. It is the most important game so we can move on.”

Rattlers senior quarterback Scottie Meyer is proud of his team’s unblemished season but hopes it is only the beginning of what’s to come.

“Our season is still going,” Meyer said. “We expect to do more. (The record) was just one stepping stone.”

Alexander coach Joel Lopez did not return messages seeking comment.

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