BROWNSVILLE — The UEFA Champions League has ‘El Clascio,’ a rivalry pitting FC Barcelona and Real Madrid against one another. Mexico’s Liga MX has its own version of ‘El Clasico,’ featuring America and Chivas.
Deep south in the RGV, Brownsville Lopez and Brownsville Porter have their own version of the rivalry. The Cowboys and Lobos face off at least twice a year on the pitch in the Battle of Southmost, with bragging rights and usually more on the line.
This year is no different, with the first-place Cowboys (14-1-1) and second-place Lobos (14-2-0) set to compete for first place in District 32-5A.
The Cowboys and Lobos take the field for the highly anticipated contest at 7:30 p.m. today at Brownsville Porter.
“It is always one of those games where you try to prepare your kids not just physically, but mentally,” Brownsville Lopez head coach Amadeo Escandon said. “Like you saw the last game, it is going to be a physical one. … Against Porter, it is always a rivalry. They’re our neighbors. We’ve been in very important games against them We’ve won some and they’ve won some. It is just a classic. It is El Clasico from Brownsville. I don’t think I’ve seen another game like it in my years.”
This year’s contest, like most years, features some of the Valley’s top talent. Both sides field powerful offensive weapons, with the top five scorers in the district residing between the two programs.
Brownsville Lopez’s high-powered offensive attack, which is averaging 4.6 goals per contest, is led by forward Ramon “Chacho” Zuniga.
The sophomore superstar set a new program record last week, netting 36 goals and counting as of Tuesday. The previous mark of 34 was set by Enrique “Chicles” Rivera in 2005. More than half of Zuniga’s goals have come during district play, netting 22 in 16 appearances.
“Chacho, he is a sophomore, but he doesn’t act like one,” Escandon said. “He’s the first one on the field and the last one to leave. This guy is committed. He loves Lopez. He’s a quiet guy, but he doesn’t have to say much. His actions say it all on the field. Once he gets on that field, he transforms and he’s just a different guy.”
The Lobos’ offensive weapons don’t end there, with Jesus Hernandez and Diego Guerra joining Zuniga with double-digit goals during district play. Hernandez ranks fourth in the district in scoring with 13 goals, followed by Guerra with 12.
The Cowboys have the firepower to match their opponent, with their two-headed monster of Martin Gonzalez and Alessandro Lara leading the offensive charge.
Gonzalez and Lara have accounted for 70% of the team’s 58 goals during district play. Gonzalez leads the way with 22, and Lara has netted 19 despite missing some time throughout the year.
Behind the duo, the Cowboys are averaging 3.6 goals per contest during district play, the second-highest mark, only trailing the Lobos.
“When we first started, we were missing a lot of opportunities,” Brownsville Porter head coach Jose Espitia said. “We were creating chances but not finishing. They are working together now. They realized that if they work separately, it is easier for the opponent to stop them. The two of them together is a benefit to the team. They’re more of a team unit now. It doesn’t matter who scores the goal, they set it up for whoever has the best opportunity.”
Both team’s field stout defenses to match their offensive fireworks, with Brownsville Porter ranking first in goals against (11) in District 32-5A, followed by Brownsville Lopez (16).
Porter’s 0.7 goals scored against per game is the lowest allowed among any RGV 5A teams during district play this season. Lopez’s defense is just as tough, allowing just 1 goal per game against.
“Having a defense like this gives you the confidence to work the game and attack,” Espitia said. “You get those opportunities to create some damage because of the defense. We’re hoping they come out strong and they’re ready for what Lopez has to bring.”
The defenses took center stage during the teams’ first meeting earlier this year, both teams held well below their scoring average in a game that featured 16 combined yellow cards.
The Cowboys came away with a 1-0 victory during the contest, with Gonzalez netting the lone goal.
The game’s physical nature is common when the teams meet on the pitch, with emotions and physicality increasing once the whistle blows.
With the district lead on the line, however, expect the teams to bring another level of intensity Friday.
“We could be playing for a Coke. It doesn’t matter,” Escandon said. “When we play Porter, it is always going to be like that. Now this game, it is basically for the district championship. Not to overlook our last game, but this is the game that is going to decide first place.”
