SATURDAY

CLASS 5A

Division I

Area round

Harlandale (9-2) vs. Rio Grande City (5-6) at Laredo Student Activity Center, 3 p.m.

The brackets have been kind to Harlandale. The Indians face a Rio Grande City team that thrilled its home crowd by burying Corpus Christi Ray with 22-consecutive points in the first quarter before Ray scored. The Rattlers still had to hold off a late comeback by the Texans to advance with a 48-40 win.

The Rattlers converted one of their receivers (Noe Gonzalez) to quarterback and unveiled him for the first time against Ray. The element of surprise is no longer available to RGC.

Five of Rio Grande City’s opponents have scored 50 or more points. That doesn’t bode well against an explosive Harlandale offense led by senior quarterback Brandon Ramon. Ramon has thrown for 2,411 yards with 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

As usual, the key for Harlandale is to move the chains with senior back Nick Martinez (1,084 rushing yards) to set up Ramon for mid-range and deep strikes to Ian Martinez (667 receiving yards) and Eddie Pedroza (572).

Pedroza had seven catches for 169 yards and three touchdowns last week, so he’ll be a target for the Rattlers’ secondary. Look for a big game from either Martinez or James Mendoza, who returned from an injury last week.

Harlandale had to hold off Gregory-Portland for a 37-35 bi-district championship eight days ago. The defense will need to be more solid against RGC’s spread offense after giving up 433 total yards last week.

quad that carries a five-game losing streak into the postseason.

The key to victory for the Indians may be shutting down the Rattlers running game behind back Jose Castelo. Regional round opponent: Winner plays Rouse (9-3).

TAPPS DIVISION II

Quarterfinals

Katy Pope John XXIII (8-2) vs. Holy Cross (8-3) at Giddings, 3 p.m.

Holy Cross would like nothing more to face Austin Hyde Park Baptist after getting a momentum surge from defeating the Panthers in Austin to close the regular season two weeks ago.

Getting past Pope John XXIII will not be an easy task, however.

The Lions defeated San Antonio Christian 40-34 in the first round. Holy Cross defeated those Lions (yes, both Pope John XXIII and San Antonio Christian have the same mascot) 22-14 on Sept. 27 — but the Knights are playing much better now.

Holy Cross dominated Houston Northland Christian in the first round, winning 55-28. 

Holy Cross produced a whopping 626 total yards in defeating Northland Christian last Saturday. The defense allowed 456, which is a concern, but most of those came in the second half, after the outcome was decided.

Knights junior quarterback Cisco Flores had his best game to date with 457 yards of total offense, including 306 through the air with five touchdowns. He only threw one interception while completing 15 passes in 29 attempts, so it was a step forward in all areas.

Senior receiver-cornerback Greg Kelly played an excellent all-around game, which including 10 receptions for 205 yards and three touchdowns. He even carried the ball for six yards to keep a drive alive.

Junior back Greg Scott added 163 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. The balance he gives the Knights could be an advantage in this outing.

A stronger four-quarter effort from the defense, much like the one it produced against Hyde Park, will be welcome, if not necessary.

The Lions have a 1-2 punch in the backfield with Greg Moore (1,359 rushing yards) and Edd Williams (732), so they’ll to control the ball and then pop a big play. Of their 409 total yards, 348 came on the ground.

Pope John XXIII Quarterback Greyson Secades has thrown for 796 yards with 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Secades also is a running threat. He ran for a 66-yard touchdown against S.A. Christian.

San Antonio Christian scored two touchdowns in the last 3:34 against the Houston-area team last week, so the Lions are vulnerable in the two-minute drill. Semifinal opponent: Winner plays Austin Hyde Park Baptist (11-1).