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State-ranked Falcons expect
tough challenge from Vikings
BY ROY
HESS
The
Brownsville
Herald
October
20, 2006
— The Los Fresnos Falcons (3-0 in District 32-5A, 6-0 overall)
learned earlier this week that they are No. 10 in the latest
Associated Press Class 5A state poll.
They play their first game since becoming state ranked against the
Pace Vikings at
7:30
tonight at Leo Aguilar Stadium.
Los Fresnos coach Scott Ford said the ranking brings a sense of
pride to the school, but he also downplayed the effect it might have
in helping his team win football games.
“Honestly, our players are happy about it and proud that they’re
getting such recognition,” Ford said. “It’s something well-deserved,
but at the same time, they know a state ranking is not going to help
us out one bit against Pace on Friday night.”
State ranking or not, the Falcons have been impressive since the
start of the season, outscoring their first six opponents 250-91 and
averaging a district-best 471.8 yards per game on offense while
allowing only 217.8 yards on defense, a mark that also tops 32-5A.
Pace coach Rene Medrano responded with a slight chuckle when asked
how to stop the Falcons.
“That’s the best Los Fresnos team I’ve seen since I’ve been here,”
said
Medrano, a
Brownsville
native. “They’re a quality bunch with a strong offense, defense and
specialty teams. They most certainly deserve their state ranking.
“We just have to go out, do the best we can and see what happens,”
he added.
Pace (2-1, 2-4) is coming off Saturday’s 24-17 victory over Hanna.
Los Fresnos rallied for an emotional 38-35 triumph at
San Benito last
Friday.
Medrano said it would be nice for his team to catch Los Fresnos
playing with a little less intensity tonight after coming off such a
big win at San Benito, but at the same time, he believes that it’s
unlikely to happen.
“Sometimes, when you play in big, emotional games you tend to use up
a lot of gas from your tank,” the Pace coach said. “But I’m pretty
sure that Coach Ford and his staff will have their team ready when
it comes time to play against us.”
Ford said the Falcons consider Pace to be a playoff-caliber opponent
and a worthy rival.
“Our players look at it as a rivalry because of the games we’ve had
against Pace in recent years,” the Falcon coach said.
“Our kids are focused,” he added. “We had our best workout of the
year this week, so we hope that it will help us out come Friday
night.”
Foremost
among Los Fresnos’ offensive threats is quarterback Jeremy Springer,
who is enjoying a season to remember. He’s completed 110 of 195
passes for 1,608 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Teammate Luis Campos is rushing for 119.5 yards a game and has
scored 10 TDs. Another Falcon, Esia Rivera, leads 32-5A with 31
receptions for 506 yards and a pair of scores.
“For us, it’s about attaining balance in all three phases of the
game (offense, defense, specialty teams) and not having any glaring
weaknesses like last year,” Ford said.
Pace is led by running back Alex Garza, who has gained 646 yards on
the season and is averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He leads the
Vikings with nine TDs.
Medrano said Pace will be missing three or four starters due to
injury tonight. When the two teams met last year in Los Fresnos, the
Falcons prevailed 31-14.
rhess@brownsvilleherald.com
Posted on Oct 20, 06 | 12:01 am |
