Regardless of the records, the previous games, the scouting reports or the hype, this will be a veritable train wreck which will not be for the faint of heart as friendships, family ties and even the love for this community goes out the window for this once a year matchup of two programs which have been fighting all year to get to this point.
On one side will be the visiting Eagles who have shown moments of brilliance behind signal caller Ty Chisum who took over for Aaron Morales early in the year after Morales' speed and play-making ability was showcased in a pre-district victory over the Laredo Nixon Mustangs where he scored the two TD's to secure the win.
Chisum will need to incorporate some of Morales' evasive scrambling techniques as the Mav defense will try to keep him under duress much in the way Del Rio did last week where Chisum showed time after time that he could be as elusive as he is accurate when finding open receivers such as the EP RJ Connection of RJ Ruiz and RJ Gomez, both of whom have come up with big plays all year long, the most notable being Gomez' game-winning catch against the Longhorns two weeks ago in what could be one of the greatest plays in Eagle football history.
The Eagles also count on a strong running attack with Carlos Villarreal and Willie Lopez along with full back Kevin Rivera who will be counting on their O-linee of Cesar Iracheta (6' 1" 265 Lbs), Tito Sanchez (5' 10" 225), Juan Martinez (6' 0" 250) along with Edward Mondragon (5' 10" 200), Cesar Montemayor, Leo Lopez, Albert Marines and Jerry Amezcua to give them running lanes which to exploit.
Speaking of exploiting running lanes, the stage is set for Neon Deion Alonso to showcase his amazing set of skills which have garnered him nods for All-District in only his first year at the varsity level. The Super Soph has made mincemeat of opposing defenses and is prepared to work in tandem with Cris Cantu, Kevin De Luna and a host of Maverick ball carriers to rack up yardage behind an exceptional offensive line anchored by KC Kevin Canizales, the 6' 1" 270 Lb. junior is in his first varsity season and doing an exceptional job at the center position and a host of Winn O-linemen including Oscar Lara (5' 7" 220) who exemplifies both fight and size, Cruz Gutierrez (5' 8" 220), Gabriel Gutierrez (6' 3" 290), and Gilbert Rodriguez (5' 7" 220) who have also made a name for themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
QB Ricky Flores, who also came in for three-year QB Jaime Vargas whose gutsy leadership and play-making ability was a mainstay for the Maverick offense for three seasons, would also like no more than to get some vindication for last year's heartbreaking loss in a close game between these two programs by lighting it up through the air as he has been known to do with Carlos Cerezo, Emilio Hinojosa and Hector Bermea available to haul in the big play.
The Mavericks will surely call on Javier "Prep" Peña to give them the inspiration he would always exude both in the locker room and on the field as his teammates recall when this senior class were at Memorial Junior High when Prep threw that last minute TD pass to win the Fish Bowl at legendary Eagle Field.
Whatever the case may be, the time has come for the game of the year and The Eagle Pass News Gram will be there to bring it to you in all its Burnt Orange and Silver & Black Attack glory, whatever you do, be there, be early, but by all means be LOUD!!!
