footballgal
11-04-2004, 04:49 PM
Hidalgo, Lyford last piece of 32-3A puzzle
By BUDDY GREEN
It don’t get any simpler.
While some districts scramble to figure out multiple playoff possibilities, District 32-3A is down to one game, winner take all.
Hidalgo plays at Lyford on Friday with the winner moving on to the second season.
Hidalgo was virtually overlooked all year and now finds itself in a favorable position.
The Pirates (2-3 in district, 3-6 overall) can make the playoffs with a sub-.500 record should they win Friday.
Lyford (3-2, 6-3) was put in the must-win situation when the Bulldogs lost to La Feria last Friday.
The win did clinch a playoff berth for La Feria, coupled with Raymondville’s loss to Hidalgo.
Port Isabel, which clinched at least a share of the title, will be heavily favored to knock off Progreso this week to win the crown outright.
La Feria will be the big school representative in the playoffs.
More on the game
The Pirates have emerged as the top passing team in 32-3A.
Multi-threat quarterback Danny Rodriguez has passed for 798 yards and rushed for 532, combining for 16 touchdowns.
The Pirates have the top two receivers in the district with Jorge Phillips (21 catches, 337 yards) and Mentor Cantu (17, 244).
The Hidalgo defense will be up against the No. 2 rushing team in the district. Lyford averages nearly 250 yards per game.
Omar Cavazos (788), Aaron Infante (671) and Felix Silva (472) account for most of those, running behind the Bulldogs’ sizeable offensive line.
Lyford is trying to get back to the postseason for a second straight year. The Bulldogs reached the second round last year.
Strange scores
Lyford lost to La Feria 2-0 on Friday in which obviously has to be one of the lowest scoring games in Valley history. Only a 0-0 tie, back when games could end in a deadlock, could produce a lower score.
In fact, Harlingen and Donna played to a scoreless tie back in 1990. Harlingen also lost to La Joya 4-0 in the 1995 playoffs.
La Feria got the winning points on a safety in the thrid period when Lyford botched a punt attempt.
Game balls
PI’s Johnny Nieto seems to be healthy again. Nitro rushed for 121 yards and a TD in the Tarpons win over Rio Hondo.
Aaron Infante rushed for 120 yards for Lyford, despite the fact that the Bulldogs were shut out.
La Feria quarterback Justin Ramirez continued to prove his worth as a backup. Ramirez rushed for 71 yards and came up with a key interception in the final minute deep in the Lions’ end.
Buddy Green can be reached at buddyg@valleystar.com or at 956-430-6284
By BUDDY GREEN
It don’t get any simpler.
While some districts scramble to figure out multiple playoff possibilities, District 32-3A is down to one game, winner take all.
Hidalgo plays at Lyford on Friday with the winner moving on to the second season.
Hidalgo was virtually overlooked all year and now finds itself in a favorable position.
The Pirates (2-3 in district, 3-6 overall) can make the playoffs with a sub-.500 record should they win Friday.
Lyford (3-2, 6-3) was put in the must-win situation when the Bulldogs lost to La Feria last Friday.
The win did clinch a playoff berth for La Feria, coupled with Raymondville’s loss to Hidalgo.
Port Isabel, which clinched at least a share of the title, will be heavily favored to knock off Progreso this week to win the crown outright.
La Feria will be the big school representative in the playoffs.
More on the game
The Pirates have emerged as the top passing team in 32-3A.
Multi-threat quarterback Danny Rodriguez has passed for 798 yards and rushed for 532, combining for 16 touchdowns.
The Pirates have the top two receivers in the district with Jorge Phillips (21 catches, 337 yards) and Mentor Cantu (17, 244).
The Hidalgo defense will be up against the No. 2 rushing team in the district. Lyford averages nearly 250 yards per game.
Omar Cavazos (788), Aaron Infante (671) and Felix Silva (472) account for most of those, running behind the Bulldogs’ sizeable offensive line.
Lyford is trying to get back to the postseason for a second straight year. The Bulldogs reached the second round last year.
Strange scores
Lyford lost to La Feria 2-0 on Friday in which obviously has to be one of the lowest scoring games in Valley history. Only a 0-0 tie, back when games could end in a deadlock, could produce a lower score.
In fact, Harlingen and Donna played to a scoreless tie back in 1990. Harlingen also lost to La Joya 4-0 in the 1995 playoffs.
La Feria got the winning points on a safety in the thrid period when Lyford botched a punt attempt.
Game balls
PI’s Johnny Nieto seems to be healthy again. Nitro rushed for 121 yards and a TD in the Tarpons win over Rio Hondo.
Aaron Infante rushed for 120 yards for Lyford, despite the fact that the Bulldogs were shut out.
La Feria quarterback Justin Ramirez continued to prove his worth as a backup. Ramirez rushed for 71 yards and came up with a key interception in the final minute deep in the Lions’ end.
Buddy Green can be reached at buddyg@valleystar.com or at 956-430-6284