Chargers Head into Regional Championship as RGV’s Last Team
A total of 31 RGV football teams qualified for the Texas high school football playoffs this year. After three grueling weeks of competition, only one remains.
The Brownsville Veterans Chargers are the Valley’s last team standing in this year’s playoffs, advancing to Round 4 of the postseason with a dominating victory over previously state ranked PSJA North.
The Chargers are now looking to go where only a handful of RGV teams have gone now – the state semifinals.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
The Chargers road to the Region IV-5A championship game has been filled with challenges, with their first three opponents all fresh off third round appearances one season ago.
Brownsville Veterans made easy work of McAllen High during the bi-district round, cruising past the Bulldogs 55-21.
Round 2 presented an even bigger challenge for the Chargers, taking on last year’s Region IV-5A champion, the Corpus Christi Veterans Eagles. Once again, the Chargers took care of business, grinding out a 17-7 victory over their Coastal Bend opponent.
The Chargers followed up their victory over the Eagles with another impressive feat, dominating previously unbeaten PSJA North on the road to secure their first fourth round appearance in program history.
UP NEXT
The Chargers victory over the Raiders stunned high school football fans across the state, with many expecting the Raiders to come out of Region IV-5A.
They’ll need to embrace the underdog role once again this week, taking on unbeaten Corpus Christi Miller for a spot in the Class 5A state semifinals.
The Buccaneers (13-0) road to the postseason began with a dominating 77-0 victory over Laredo Martin, followed by a shootout win against Edinburg Vela in Round 2. C.C. Miller punched its ticket to the regional title game with a thrilling 51-48 victory over Victoria West last week.
The winner between the Buccaneers and Chargers advances to the Class 5A state semifinals to take on the winner between A&M Consolidated and Smithson Valley.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Friday’s contest between the Chargers and Buccaneers features several big-time playmakers on both sides of the ball for each team.
Offensively, running back Alvin Trevillion has been on a tear during the postseason for the Chargers, rushing for over 100 yards during each contest. The junior is averaging 150.7 yards per game in the playoffs.
Senior Gerry Gomez adds a weapon in the passing game for the Chargers, leading the team in receiving yards this season with 20 catches for 568 yards and 4 scores.
Do-it-all athlete Gilbert Trillo has been a difference maker on both sides of the ball for the Chargers. Last week the senior racked up 107 total yards and four scores, while also snagging a pick on defense.
The Buccaneers have plenty of weapons of their own, with the offense averaging 551.2 total yards and 59.8 points per game.
Quarterback Trevor Long commands the Buccaneers passing attack, throwing for 3,538 yards and 56 touchdowns this year, with junior Corey Holmes on the receiving end of 42 of those passes for 881 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Meanwhile, running back Broderick Taylor has put up video game numbers, toting the rock 234 times for 2,222 yards and 27 scores.
FINAL NOTES
Friday’s matchup between the Chargers and Buccaneers pits a pair of contrasting styles against one another.
The Chargers are a physical team looking to grind out wins against their opponents on the ground, while the Buccaneers deploy a high-flying aerial assault capable of lighting up the scoreboard.
Both teams are also on the verge of history, with a Chargers win making them the first RGV team since the 2003 Port Isabel Tarpons to make the state semifinals, while a Buccaneers win getting them to the state semis for the first time since 1963.
With the stakes as high as they are, Texas high school football fans better get their popcorn ready.
