32-3A notes: 'Getcha popcorn ready'

Last week saw the first of six HUGE games in District 32-3A, as Port Isabel downed La Feria 26-20 in overtime.

Now it’s time for Round No. 2

Hidalgo, fresh off its bye week, travels to Rio Hondo to take on the 7-0 Bobcats, who beat Progreso 28-0 last week.

The Pirates are certainly a dangerous football team.

Hidalgo boasts the district’s best offense at 401.6 yards per game, and one of the district’s top rushers in quarterback Oscar Perez (117 carries, 907 yards, 14 touchdowns).

The success on offense reminds many fans of San Benito’s 2004 team that went 10-0 in the regular season behind 2,000-yard rushing QB Randy Reza. The offensive coordinator that year? You guessed it: current Hidalgo head coach Jorge Peña.

Defensively, new coordinator Roy Peña (no relation to Jorge, but brother of San Benito head coach Mario) has the Pirate defenders playing some solid football, allowing only 148.5 yards per game and big reason the Pirates are 5-1 so far.

On the other side, Rio Hondo is one of only two undefeated teams in the Valley.

The Cats have blown out most of their opponents and have done it with superb offense and defense, thanks to two of the best coordinators around in Steve Marroquin (offense) and Rocky James (defense), under head coach Gus Cavazos.

The offense is cranking out 374.3 yards per game, while the defense is giving up only 117 yards per game. Both big reasons why they haven’t lost yet.

Not even the injury bug has stopped the Bobcats, as they’ve lost several players to injuries, notably quarterback Joseph Vela.

It is unclear whether Vela, who tweaked an ankle and has missed the last two games, will play against the Pirates.

Nonetheless, the Bobcats have weapons in three-back tandem Jacob Martinez, Trevor David and Joshua Rodriguez.

Though I’m not a Dallas Cowboys fan in the least, I’ll borrow Terrell Owens’ best quote: “Getcha popcorn ready,” because this game is sure to be a dandy.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: PI showed why they’re the defending district champs in beating La Feria.

The Tarpons showed a lot of resiliency in coming back on the Lions, which held a lead and was playing solid ball at home.

PI soared back to outgain the Lions (341-333) behind Nolan Nuñez, who had 163 yards rushing and two TDs.

In the defeat, La Feria’s Randy Rodriguez had 146 yards rushing.

While the win was huge for Monty Stumbaugh’s team, I’m sure he’ll be the first one to tell you there’s still a lot of football left to play.

As for La Feria, they’ve been playing superbly and took the defending champs to OT. I don’t expect Elifonso Esquivel or his team to mail it in by any stretch. They’re still in the thick of it.

ALMOST 1,000-YARD CLUB: Several backs are on the cusp of 1,000 rushing yards.

So far, Port Isabel’s Nuñez has 989 yards on the ground, while Progreso running back Juan Vega is not far behind with 916. As mentioned, Hidalgo’s Perez has 907, while Rio Hondo’s Martinez (818) and Rodriguez at La Feria (810) are also close.

What a sight it would be to have each of the district’s five teams with a 1,000-yard ground gainer.

GRIDIRON GREATS: Here are the must-see performances from last week’s district games aside from the aforementioned Nuñez and Rodriguez.

 Eleazar Esquivel went 10-of-19 passing for 170 yards and a TD against the Tarps. He also rushed for a score.

 La Feria kicker Brian Vasquez nailed two field goals, 28 and 36 for the Lions as well.

 PI quarterback David Alaniz was 5-for-9 passing for 155 yards, a touchdown pass and interception against the Lions. With the yardage, he’s the district’s leading passer. He also rushed for a TD.

 Rio Hondo’s Lorenzo Bocanegra passed for 101 yards and a score against the Red Ants.

 The Rio Hondo defense snagged five interceptions against Progreso in the same game.

Armando Garza covers District 32-3A for the Valley Morning Star. He can be reached at 956-430-6255 or at armandog@valleystar.com