READY TO RUN: Raiders, Dragons have same mindset

CORPUS CHRISTI - The PSJA North defense tonight will have to do what the McAllen High defense couldn't.

Last week against the Bulldogs, the San Antonio Southwest offense rushed for 291 yards to beat McHi. This week, the Raiders (8-3) will get their chance to beat the physical Dragons, and once again affirm why their defense is annually considered one of the Rio Grande Valley's best.

PSJA North coach Bruce Bush, however, wasn't viewing the Southwest matchup as another measuring stick for his defense. Instead, he said his team was just focusing on making it past area round.

"I think kids look forward to playing in this round of the playoffs regardless of what type of team you're playing against," Bush said. "They don't throw the ball much and we don't either, so it should be a quick ballgame."

All joking aside, anybody who watches this game should expect to see two teams who know what they are. They are physical running teams and will try to beat up their opponent.

Against McHi, the Dragons passed for only 12 yards on two attempts. Meanwhile, PSJA North attempted only four passes during its 24-15 victory over Brownsville Porter. And unlike last week, both the Raiders and the Dragons will face teams similar to themselves, which will be especially jarring after facing teams like McHi and Porter one week ago, teams that threw a combined 61 times.

The thought of facing such a different type of offense doesn't concern Southwest coach Matt Elliott. He said his team, which won the District 29-5A championship, has dealt with different types of offensive plans.

"Through the course of the year you get all varieties," Elliott said. "We've played some running football teams and have had some success against them. It's definitely a different game plan, that's for sure."

Something else the teams share is an appreciation for what they are playing for tonight. For the Raiders, winning tonight would be another successful step in their first year under Bush, in a season that included a District 31-5A title and upset victory over Harlingen High.

Brian Sandalow covers high school sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.