Todd Mavreles
Monitor Staff Writer


SAN JUAN — When Los Fresnos and PSJA High met Sept. 15, it was deemed The Monitor’s Game of the Week because of it had the potential to be a preview of a possible postseason match up.

Two months later, that’s exactly what it is.

The Falcons scored a 31-21 victory back in September. The rematch, this time in the form of a Class 5A Division I bi-district playoff game, is at 7:30 tonight at PSJA Stadium.

"Playing them before just gives you an idea of what you need to do different from the first time," PSJA coach Mel Rios said. "There’s not really an advantage to either one other than it’s something you can go back to and re-evaluate and correct and hope to do better."

In the previous meeting, PSJA (5-5) led 21-10 just before halftime as Los Fresnos relied primarily on Jeremy Springer’s passing. Then Luis Campos bulled in for a 1-yard touchdown run 47 seconds before halftime and the momentum turned. In the second half, the Falcons put the ball in Campos’ hands and he responded with two more short touchdown runs. Los Fresnos continued on its way to a perfect 10-0 regular season.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, coach Scott Ford said Campos (ankle) won’t be available tonight. He rushed for 923 yards and 13 TDs in nine regular season games.

"It hurts a lot," Ford said. "He’s a three-year starter. Losing that type of experience is something we’re disappointed with. At the same time, we have to move forward. You have to feel bad for Luis, but not bad for the team. We’ve just got to go on."

Ford continued to say the Falcons will rely on a committee approach tonight. When Campos was injured in the second half of last week’s 42-39 win at Weslaco High, junior Siriboto Rareba showed a burst in carrying eight times for 79 yards. Ford also said that with the sudden death reality of the postseason, Springer will be toting the ball more often. He rushed a season-high 22 times for 136 yards and score two TDs last week. But where Springer figures to do his most damage, especially with Campos sidelined, is through the air.

Springer completed 139-of-268 passes for 2,544 yards with 31 TDs and just six interceptions during the regular season. Springer threw for 339 yards in the first meeting with PSJA. He’ll be looking for standout wide receivers Esia Rivera (42 receptions, 704 yards, seven TDs) and Jorge Mata (37-871, 14 TDs).

The Bears, meanwhile, have survived a rugged schedule to get to the postseason. They played five playoff teams, but went 0-5 in those games. Nevertheless, as Rios undoubtedly told his players this week, what happened in the regular season is of little consequence tonight.

"We realize this time around we’re the underdogs," Rios said. "Nobody’s going to give us a chance, which is OK. We’ve been in this situation before. Our kids, when you corner them in a corner, they respond different. Definitely, I don’t think we should be taken lightly.

"Don’t ever count the Bears out."

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Todd Mavreles covers District 31-5A for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4451.