Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF version

Joey Caceres and the Edinburg Bobcats can now move on.

Only a couple of years removed from a 0-10 season, the Bobcats clinched their first postseason berth on Friday with a 50-7 win against Harlingen South.

It's the first playoff appearance for Caceres as the Bobcats head coach. As an assistant under the late Robert Vela, Caceres was a regular in the postseason party.

Caceres said getting in as the head coach feels wonderful.

"It's a great feeling," Caceres said. "We went through a meat grinder here for a while. But everyone from the players and coaches are excited to be in the playoffs. But we're not looking at it as we're in and that's it. We're not satisfied with being in. We're going to see how far we can go."

Edinburg will face the Division I top seed from 32-5A, which could be Brownsville Hanna is the Eagles beat Pace on Thursday.

There's still a lot to be determined in 32-5A and the Bobcats could possibly face Brownsville Pace as well.

Caceres said getting in the postseason is also rewarding for the entire community of Edinburg, which longed for a return trip to the state playoffs.

"They were always very supportive," Caceres said. "Like I said from the beginning, the pressure to win came from within…with us coaches. But I'm glad we're back in the playoffs for the community too. But we're not satisfied.

There are big things around the corner."

CARDINAL CRUSHED

They left no doubt.

On paper, Harlingen's defense was the best. Last week they proved it on the field — again.

The Harlingen Cardinals held an explosive PSJA North offense to only157 total yards, including 112 on the ground.

The Raiders were averaging 315.3 rushing yards per game heading into last week's game.

"They played with a purpose and that was to win the district title," Cards head coach Manny Gomez said.

Harlingen chased the Raiders from the opening whistle.

Cards defensive end Mingo Rincon sacked Raiders QB Noe Garcia a couple of times. Rincon leads the Valley with 18 sacks so far.

The defense came up with a huge play early in the third quarter as they recovered a fumble as Garcia was driving the Raiders for a score.

Harlingen led 20-7 at the time and PSJA North could have kept the game close with a score.

"That was a big momentum changer," Gomez said. "We knew that as a team we were going to stop them more times than they were going to stop us. We just had to keep grinding it out and play four quarters. And we were ready to grind it out for four quarters."

RIVALRY WEEK

Week 10 is always the district's version of rivalry week.

Here's what's on tap as the 20009 season comes to an end.

PSJA North tries to avenge a loss to PSJA from last year on Friday at PSJA Stadium as the Bears and Raiders lock horns in a grudge match,

Edinburg and Edinburg North play at Cats Stadium for third place in district. The outcome doesn't have any implications on playoff seedings.

And at Boggus Stadium, Harlingen tries to stay undefeated as they host the Harlingen South Hawks in Bird Bowl XVII. South will try to avoid being the only winless team this season.

REAL GAMERS

Here's a list of some of the stars from Week Nine.

>> Harlingen's Mack Sanchez threw for 205 yards and one TD while rushing for two more TDs

>> Cards' RB Pablo Garza rushed for 142 yards and three TDs against the Raiders.

>> HHS receiver Anthony Reyna caught five balls for 104 yards and one TD.

>> PSJA's Osvaldo Cantu rushed for 124 yards on 13 carries against Economedes.

>> Edinburg's Manny Menchaca scored two TDs in a win against Harlingen South.

>> Edinburg North's Matt Munoz rushed for 124 yards and one TD and passed for 202 and one TD in a win against PSJA Memorial.

>> Cougars' RB Simon Edwards rushed for 141 yards and two TDs in a win against the Wolverines.