SAN ANTONIO - Elifonso Esquivel didn't have the words.
After his Lions pulled off one of the Valley's biggest playoff upsets in recent memory, the La Feria coach had the perfect look of jubilation in his face.
The Lions were just as perfect in a dominating 31-14 win over Bandera in their Class 3A Division I regional quarterfinal game at the Alamodome Thursday night.
La Feria (7-5) dodged an early bullet from the stunned Bulldogs (7-4), but sustained solid drives on offense and forced four turnovers. Read more

McALLEN - As difficult as it may be, McAllen Memorial looks to be turning the corner on its less-than stellar past.
Before the 2005 season, the Mustangs made only one postseason appearance since they started playing varsity football in 1980. The 1995 Mustangs have the distinction of being Memorial's first postseason squad. Read more

KINGSVILLE - On the field, anyway, the 2008 season has been one of uninterrupted flow for No. 2 Edcouch-Elsa.
There have been 11 victories, and since their win over Harlingen High, the ‘Jackets (11-0) haven't really been challenged. They have risen to the No. 10 spot in the Associated Press' 4A poll and talked openly about establishing themselves as a Texas power.
Save for surviving a UIL hearing about whether they used an ineligible player, the E-E season has gone exactly to plan. Read more

Follow these playoffs games live in the forums at RGVSports.com. If you haven't already, sign up for Pluck by following this link so that you can chime in during our live updates tonight. Also, have the final scores from all Rio Grande Valley football games texted to you. You can visit this link to sign up for our text messaging software.
These games below will have live updates Friday in the forums: Read more

LA VILLA - La Villa made school history three years ago when it reached the Class 1A regional quarterfinal round against the Thorndale Bulldogs. Unfortunately, the Cardinals fell short and their dream of capturing a state title was over. However, they will have the distinction of being the best team ever to sport a Cardinals uniform. Read more

The pulse of the Los Fresnos offense that has won 11 consecutive game in 2008 is under center.
And every opponent knows it. Read more

HARLINGEN - For the second time in two calendar years, Harlingen South is without a head football coach.
Harlingen superintendent Steve Flores confirmed Wednesday that Hawks football coach and athletic coordinator Alan Cherry was reassigned within the school district and relieved of his duties effective immediately.
Cherry is now a subject coordinator in the physical education department.
"Coach Cherry has been reassigned in the best interest of the school district and Harlingen South," Flores said.
"And that is effective today (Wednesday)." Read more

LA FERIA - The adage "Defense wins championships" comes with a twist for the La Feria Lions.
Defense wins bi-district championships, too.
Thanks to shutting down and shutting out Robstown last week, the Lions are in the Class 3A Division I regional quarterfinals.
They'll face a mean Bandera team Thursday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Last week, the Lions (6-5) limited the Cotton Pickers to 24 total yards in the second half, allowing them to earn a 3-0 win. Read more

SAN JUAN - The doubts were something the PSJA High Bears just weren't used to experiencing.
Usually one of the strongest teams in the Rio Grande Valley, the Bears got off to an uncharacteristically slow 0-3 non-district start. There were those who were questioning whether this edition would live up to the standards of PSJA football, a program that annually advances to the area round of the playoffs.
"There was a little feeling of doubt, but once we started winning and competing we started feeling better about ourselves," senior safety Ivan Barrera said. Read more

It's November, and that usually means the Los Fresnos Falcons are soaring
After their 70-21 pasting of Edinburg North this past Saturday, the Valley's No. 1 ranked Falcons (11-0) will host surging McAllen Memorial this Saturday night in a matchup of two of the Valley's 10 remaining playoff teams.
Los Fresnos, the 32-5A champs back in the area round for the fourth straight year, will face the upstart Mustangs, the 30-5A winners, who beat Laredo Alexander in bi-district. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium. Read more