EDINBURG — The Edinburg North Cougars entered the 2022 season with a target on their backs, predicted by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine to finish No. 1 in District 31-6A.
Through five weeks, the Cougars have lived up to the billing, entering district play with the best record in 31-6A, finishing 3-2 in non-district play.
The Cougars are gearing up for a district title run following a district-wide bye last week beginning with a home contest against La Joya High (0-5, 0-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
Edinburg North picked up wins during three of its final four non-district games, beating Brownsville Rivera, Sharyland Pioneer and PSJA Southwest. The Cougars’ two losses came to Edinburg Vela and Eagle Pass High, who sport a combined 9-1 record at the midway point.
“With us, it has just been about staying the course and trusting the process that we have here,” Edinburg North head coach Damian Gonzalez said. “They’ve continued to work hard, showing up and doing the things we ask them to. The guys have done a tremendous job at that.”
Defensively, linebacker Eddie Gonzalez and defensive back Keyshawn Garcia have been key for the Cougars, combining for 58 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
Garcia also has been a key contributor on special teams, running back a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns.
“(Garcia) is an athlete,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve always said that athletes are eventually going to make plays. He’s done a really good job for us. He is quarterbacking our secondary. He does a tremendous job back there. He’s fast and athletic, but he’ll come down and hit you as well. He doesn’t shy away from tackling. Then having him on special team, it has been a big boost for our team. He’s really elevated that aspect of our game.”
Offensively, the Cougars have relied on a stable of running backs in Ulysses Melendez, Mark Hernandez and Chris Barrera, each carrying the ball at least 35 times through five games.
The trio has combined for 718 yards and nine touchdowns thus far, led by Melendez’s 319 yards and four scores on 55 carries.
Despite their first-half success, the Cougars aren’t resting on their laurels, Gonzalez said, knowing that district play offers a new level of competitiveness.
“We tell these guys there are four parts to the season,” Gonzalez said. “You start with scrimmages being Part 1. Part 2 is the non-district schedule. Part 3 is district and Part 4 is the playoffs. The thing we emphasize to these guys is everybody has a clean slate at this point. Everyone is 0-0. It doesn’t matter what the non-district records were. At the end of the day, everybody is just as capable of winning a district title and earning a spot in the playoffs.”
DOMINATING EFFORT
Non-district play gave RGV football fans possible 6A bi-district playoff previews, with District 31- and 32-6A teams clashing on the gridiron nine times.
District 32-6A dominated the series, combining for a 7-2 record against District 31-6A. Edinburg North and PSJA High were District 31-6A’s lone pair of teams to pick up wins against the Valley’s other 6A district, with the Cougars defeating Brownsville Rivera and the Bears downing Brownsville Hanna.
Heading into league play, just one 31-6A team sports a winning record with Edinburg North sitting at 3-2. Meanwhile, District 32-6A’s top four teams are a combined 18-2 following non-district play.
Harlingen High and San Benito both hold a 5-0 mark, and Los Fresnos and Weslaco High each sit at 4-1. All four teams are ranked in the RGVSports.com 5A/6A Top 10 poll.
Both districts open league play this week, highlighted by a marquee matchup between the No. 3 Cardinals and No. 8 Panthers at 7 p.m. Friday at J. Lewis Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
CREAM OF THE CROP
As teams prepare for the second half of the season, several players already have left their mark on the field, each making an early case for postseason accolades.
Edinburg Economedes running back Miguel Saucedo has been a workhorse for the Jaguars this season, leading District 31-6A in rushing with 453 yards and four touchdowns on 100 carries.
Meanwhile, PSJA High’s Jaime Lopez and Mission High’s Diego Salinas are the Valley’s lone 1,000-yard passers in Class 6A, ranking first and second, respectively. Lopez has thrown for 1,176 yards and nine touchdowns, and Salinas has aired it out for 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns.
Rushing attacks have reigned supreme in 32-6A, with four athletes rushing for more than 500 yards through five games. Brownsville Hanna’s Kriz Peña leads the district in rushing with 849 yards and nine touchdowns on 112 carries, averaging 169.8 yards per game.
San Benito’s Fabian Garcia (691 yards, 11 touchdowns), Harlingen High’s Izaiah Bell (562 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Los Fresnos’ Robert Pineda (534 yards, seven touchdowns) round out the top four rushers in the district.
For Class 6A’s full standings and stat leaders click here.
