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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The reality of this district and the logic would automatically give Edcouh-Elsa the odds on favorability and undisputed power in the district. But if there is any team out in the district's geographic landscape that would give the Yellow Jackets a legit challenge at the top of the mountain, could it be the Mission Eagles or could it be the Mercedes Tigers? What makes this season any different than that of the past few seasons where the Yellow Jackets have seemingly run away with the race and proven to be a solid playoff team?
For Edcoach-Elsa, the district is theirs for the taking of they can live up to their expectation. One of the keys for the Yellow Jackets early in the season is to groom junior Erick Nino into the quarterback spot after George Rubio graduated this past spring. But La Maquina will be in full force with plenty of experience and talent around Nino. The top offensive weapon could come from rusher Ronnie Vallalpando and TE Aaron Tanguma. Up front in the trenches the Yellow Jackets may have some depth that will be essential down the playoff race. DE Jerry Galvan could end up being a key player that not only gives E-E a major boost, but becomes a key sleeper in the recruiting landscape if he works hard enough and helps the players around him improve.Anything short of a district title and a decent playoff run in the eyes of La Maquina will be considered a disappointment.
The biggest competitor in the district to Edcouch-Elsa should be the Eagles of Mission High. The bright side for the Eagles is the fact that most of their key players from last year's team is back in the fold. If the Eagles are going to compete with the Yellow Jackets of Edcouch-Elsa, this group will have to turn it up another notch and play the game of their lives. Among the players that will be i prime position to do just that is quarterback Nathan Salazar. With plenty of protection up front and most of his skill players back, Salazar should see a major improvement over his 1,200 yard passing and 600 yard rushing campaign last season. Look for rusher Danny Pena to flirt with at least 750 yards of total offense. If the Eagles defense can find some more improvement over last year, this could be a special season for Eagles. Filberto Morlin and Robert Zamudio should be the keys to the Mission defense.
A team that will be considered as a solid third place team and looking to unseat Mission in the second place position could be the Mercedes Tigers. One of the biggest positives about the 2007 edition of the Tigers should be its talent and depth in the trenches. With Willie Davila, Bon Beltran and E.J. Castaneda all returning, the rushing game of last year's District Newcomer, Alex Trevino, could have a bigger season than that of a year ago when he rushed for almost 1,100 yards. Trevino could be the most explosive player in the district before the season is all said and done. If the Tigers can shore up holes on the defensive side of the ball and keep the offense at a consistent flow and productive pace, then look for Mercedes to become a solid sleeper in the district race. The Tigers will need to avoid the shootout from the middle pack of the district if they have any intention of contending against Mission or Edcouch-Elsa.
On the heels of the Mercedes Tigers and Mission Eagles might be the Wildcats of Weslaco East or the Patriots of Mission Memorial. Both teams are relatively young on the defenisve side of the ball but have solid weapons on the offensive side. The key for both is to make sure they can stay healthy. If they can saty healthy and develope rather quickly, either could have some potential to knock of Merecedes in the third position. |
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1909 |
7-4 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Nathan Salazar |
5'10 |
190 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
Danny Pena |
5'7 |
155 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OG |
Alex Vera |
6'3 |
345 |
5.5 |
Sr |
OT |
Jesus Alvarez |
6'2 |
265 |
5.3 |
Jr |
DT |
Robert Zamudio |
5'9 |
225 |
--- |
Jr |
OLB |
Filberto Morlin |
5'8 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
CB |
Joaquin Rios |
5'9 |
150 |
--- |
So |
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1761 |
4-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
WR |
Eddie Tovas |
5'8 |
145 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Artslee Santoyo |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Jobim Zapico |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
S |
Ruben Meza |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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1746 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
WR |
J.D. Cuellar |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
OL |
Donald Moore |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Ricky Alaniz |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
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1646 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Eddie Moreno |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
WR/CB |
Angel Garcia |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Leonel Tamez |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Joshua Maldonado |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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1512 |
12-1 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
TE |
Aaron Tanguma |
6'4 |
260 |
4.9 |
Jr |
C |
Fernando Torres |
6'1 |
215 |
5.2 |
Sr |
DE |
Jerry Galvan |
6'0 |
215 |
4.9 |
Sr |
LB |
Tony Sanchez |
6'1 |
205 |
4.8 |
Jr |
DL |
J.P. Castillo |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
QB |
Erick Nino |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
Ronnie Villalpando |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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1391 |
6-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Alex Trevino |
5'10 |
155 |
4.5 |
Jr |
OT |
Willie Davila |
6'2 |
265 |
5.7 |
Sr |
OT/DT |
E.J. Castaneda |
6'3 |
270 |
5.7 |
Sr |
C |
Bon Beltran |
5'10 |
190 |
5.0 |
Sr |
DE |
Isidro Alvarado |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
FS |
Justin Rodriguez |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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959 |
0-10 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Mike Gozalez |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Luis Ayala |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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| Edcouch-Elsa Yellow Jackets |
Yellow Jacket Stadium
Mile 4 Rd. & Mile 17 Rd.
Elsa, TX 78543 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 8,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Mercedes Tigers |
Tiger Stadium
900 North Missouri Ave.
Mercedes, TX 78570 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 6,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Mission Eagles |
Tom Landry Stadium
W 15th St. & N Holland Ave.
Mission, TX 78572 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 10,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Weslaco East Wildcats |
Bobby Lackey Stadium
W. Pike Blvd. at N. Westgate
Weslaco, TX 78596 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 8,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots |
Tom Landry Stadium
W 15th St. & N Holland Ave.
Mission, TX 78572 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 10,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Pharr Valley View Tigers |
Valley Vew ISD Stadium
6901 North Jackson Rd.
Hidalgo, TX 78557 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 5,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Roma Gladiators |
Gladiator Stadium
2021 North US Hwy 83
Roma, TX 78584 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 4,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Edcouch-Elsa |
2 |
Mission |
3 |
Mercedes |
4 |
Weslaco East |
5 |
Mission Memorial |
6 |
Roma |
7 |
Valley View |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Mission |
District MVP |
Nathan Salazar
Mission |
Offensive MVP |
Alex Trevino
Mercedes |
Defensive MVP
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Jerry Galvan
Edcouch-Elsa |
Diamond In The Rough |
Donald Moore
Weslaco East |
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| 2006 Records |
| Mission |
7-4 |
| Mission Mem. |
4-6 |
| Weslaco East |
3-7 |
| Roma |
3-7 |
| Edcouch-Elsa |
12-1 |
| Mercedes |
6-5 |
| Valley View |
0-10 |
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| Recruiting Key |
THSF Top 200 Player |
Top 2008 Prospect |
Top 2009 Prospect |
Top 2010 Prospect |
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| Preview Sponsor |
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