Eagles-Medina Valley Football Game Preview: Fri. Aug. 26, 2016

EAGLE PASS EAGLES FOOTBALL GRIDIRON NEWS

Eagle Pass Eagles seek to claw

Medina Valley Panthers in Gridiron Opener

97^th All-time Season Opener

By: Conrado Perez, Jr. – Eagle Pass Sports Central

“Your best and only source for local sports news in Eagle Pass”

The long awaited and much anticipated official kickoff to the 2016 Texas High School football season kicks-off this coming Friday, August 26, 2016 when the mighty Eagle Pass Eagles under the direction of head football coach Tom Gonzalez will inaugurate their 97^th all-time gridiron opener by entertaining the Medina Valley Panthers in a 7:30 PM non-district matchup at the Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The visiting Medina Valley Panthers will come in under the tutelage of new head football coach Chris Sosa who takes over the reins of the Panthers program after a very successful stint as the former head coach at Alice.  Coach Soza who will more than likely employ his famed misdirection offensive attack, inherits a bi-district finalist squad that culminated last year with an overall season record of 7-4.  The Panthers return the services of 5 offensive and 4 defensive starters from last year’s squad.

Spearheading the Panthers’ offense will be the multi-talented Zach Griggs who will take over the signal calling duties after being the Panthers premier wide receiver last season.  Joining him in the backfield will be a pair of solid running backs in  Caytan Chang and Adrian Sustaita.  The wide receiving corps will feature Tristan Stivers, Andrew Hitzfelder as well as Caytan Chang.  Tres Barboza will be the mainstay in the offensive line for the Panthers.  Another key offensive weapon for the Panthers will be sure footed place kicker Ethan Hessinger.

Defensively the Panthers feature standout inside line backer Adrian Sustaita who recorded 11 tackles last season and stellar outside line backer Tristan Stivers.  The Medina Valley secondary will have Andrew Hitzfelder as the leader o the defensive backfield and Tres Baroza will also pull double duty as a starting defensive lineman.

The home standing Eagle Pass Eagles will venture into their season opener under the direction of head football coach Tom Gonzalez.  Javier Cardenas returns as the Eagles offensive coordinator and Roger Olivas continues to serve as the Eagles defensive coordinator.  Oscar Ruiz will be the Special team’s coordinator.  Rich Gonzalez will mentor the inside receivers, Pete Venegas will tutor the quarterbacks, Beto Garcia will coach the running backs and Sammy Navejas will mentor the offensive line  Ricardo Ruiz will be in charge of the inside line backers, Joe Villa will be in charge of the defensive corner backs.  Jesus Juarez, Mauricio Mata and Ruben Besa will coach the Eagles freshmen football squad.

Offensively the Eagles will showcase their quick and elusive 1000 yard rushing tailback Mark Venegas #7 who is primed for yet another big year in toting the pigskin and being the main offensive for the Eagles  Joining Venegas in the backfield will be quarterback Ricky Medina #4.  Veteran Jose Riojas #9 will be the starting wingback with Brian Palacios #3 and Carlos De Luna #28 splitting time at the slot back position. The Eagles wide receiving corps will feature Isaac Pereales #14, Brian Esquivel #11 and Ricky Reyes #13.  The all important starting offensive line will consist of center Cody Esquivel #53, right guard Jovan Garza #74, right tackle Isacc Castillo #65, left guard Jorge Guardado #64 and left tackle Adrian Rodriguez #63.

The Eagles starting defensive unit will feature a pair of talented and experienced defensive ends in Caleb Garcia #44 and Angel Miranda #52, nose guard will be Jesus Fernandez #60 and the defensive tackle slot will be manned by Haran Rodriguez #88.  The Eagles line backing corps will showcase a vastly improved trio with the likes of David Ramos #21 as the Sam linebacker with David Kypuros #25 as the Willie linebacker and Brandon Garza #40 and Alek Alvarez #55 will be splitting time at the Mike linebacker position.  The secondary will be patrolled by Darwin Lechler #22 and Armando Martinez #12 as the starting corners with Kevin Garcia #1 and Alan Morales #5 as the starting safeties.  Jose Riojas #9 will serve as the Eagles punter and placekicker in 2016.

Eagle Pass Sports Central wishes the 2016 Eagle Pass Eagles the very best of luck in your season opener as well as throughout the entire season and invites the entire community to come out and support the mighty Eagles varsity football team throughout the entire 2016 football season.  Stay tuned to Eagle Pass Sports Central for your only complete game report as well as the official game and individual stats for the Eagles-Panthers game as well as all of the Eagles varsity football games throughout the entire season. GO EAGLES! BEAT THE PANTHERS!