McALLEN — When Dave Campbell’s Texas Football released its predictions for District 15-5A Division I’s postseason qualifiers prior to the start of the season, McAllen High was left on the outside looking in.

Odds were stacked against the Bulldogs’ playoff chances entering the final two weeks of the regular season, but McHi managed to snap two losing streaks against crosstown rivals McAllen Rowe and McAllen Memorial to clinch a playoff spot and prove doubters wrong.

Now, McAllen High has played its way into the regional semifinal round of the playoffs for the first time since 2000 after securing a bi-district win over Harlingen South and an area victory against San Antonio Southside last week.

“It’s like Coach (Patrick) Shelby says, ‘Why not us?’” junior defensive end Hudson Hood said.

The Bulldogs (7-5, 4-3) are slated to face Corpus Christi Veterans (10-2, 7-0) at 2 p.m. Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen with a spot in the fourth round on the line.

“It’s a special run that we’re on right now. Thank God for giving us the opportunities he’s given us and allowing the kids to go and capitalize on those opportunities,” McAllen High head coach Patrick Shelby said. “We’re excited as all get out for this week, for Friday against Corpus Christi Veterans. They’re a really good football team and we just have to prepare as best as possible.”

McAllen High’s Jayden Herrera (22) bursts up the middle for a score against San Antonio Southside’s Evan Fernandez (22) in a Region IV-5A DI area round playoff game at Phil Danaher Stadium Friday, Nov.18,2022 in Corpus Christi, Texas.(Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | [email protected])

McHi enters Round 3 as one of the hottest teams in South Texas. The Bulldogs have been in must-win mode for a month and have delivered each time they’ve taken the field.

“We feel really accomplished, but at the same time we’re keeping our heads down,” junior receiver and defensive back Max Alvarez said. “We made a lot of history, but at the same time, we got to keep making history — history-making season, so we just got to keep pushing and try to make it to that fourth round.”

The puzzle pieces began to come together for the Bulldogs after suffering a heart-breaking 31-30 loss on a last-minute touchdown against La Joya Palmview in Week 9. Since that defeat, the Bulldogs have bulldozed their way through four straight opponents and into the third round even though McHi was considered underdogs on paper in three of those wins.

“A lot of people doubted us saying we didn’t even have a chance to make it into the playoffs and we needed to prove them wrong. What our coaches tell us is to have a higher expectation of yourself and go past full,” senior left guard Joshua Herrera said, referring to filling a gas tank past its limit.

McHi’s run to the regional semifinals has included two playoff victories over district champions — a 24-15 win against 16-5A DI tri-champion Harlingen South and a 21-0 shutout of District 13-5A DI champion San Antonio Southside.

The Bulldogs will face their third district title winner in a row this postseason in District 14-5A Division I’s outright champion Corpus Christi Veterans.

“After knocking out two district champions, why not knock out another one?,” Hood said. “Defensively, we’ve had a heck of a last four weeks. We practice against pretty much their offense every single day. They’re a heck of a team. They’re fast and physical, but I really think we have a chance to do something here.”

McAllen High defenders Nathan Rocha (4) and Salomon Arroyo (74) gang tackle San Antonio Southside’s Matthew Castaneda (32) for a loss in a Region IV-5A DI area round playoff game at Phil Danaher Stadium Friday, Nov.18,2022 in Corpus Christi, Texas.(Delcia Lopez/The Monitor | [email protected])

The Eagles defeated Medina Valley 70-14 in Round 1 and Edinburg Vela 14-7 in Round 2 to set up the regional semifinal matchup with McHi. Senior linebacker Diego Avila knows the Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them against Corpus Christi Veterans.

“They have some passing threats and they have some shifty backs. We have to stay composed and wrap up,” he said.

McHi’s opportunity at a spot in next week’s regional final will be played in front of its home crowd, too.

“It’s a huge honor. McHi hasn’t had a third round playoff game here in 20 years, so hopefully the whole city is here, we can put on a show for them and come away with the ‘W,’” senior receiver Christian Echazarreta said.

“Normally this time of the season, you’re not playing at home. You’re probably playing on the road, traveling somewhere, but it’s pretty special and just making sure the kids understand how special it is also,” Shelby said. “I think the last time a game was hosted here in the third round was maybe 2000 when the last team made it to the third round. It’s a special moment that doesn’t happen too often, so for us as a team, we have to do everything we can to take advantage of the opportunity that’s been presented in front of us.”

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