Pearsall, Dilley square off; Cotulla hosts La Pryor in scrimmages

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | August 11, 2022

2022 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

PEARSALL will see its first live-game action of the season this week as they host Dilley and Crystal City in a tri-scrimmage at Mack Laxson Field on Thursday, August 11. (CURRENT photo: Manuel Azocar III)

Local high schools are prepping for their first live action of the season this week as teams will participate in scrimmages on Thursday and Friday.
Pearsall will play host to neighboring Dilley for their first action of the season. The two will square off in a tri-scrimmage with Crystal City on Thursday, August 11 at 6 p.m. Junior varsity and freshmen teams will take the field at 5 p.m.
The Cowboys are slated to host La Pryor on Friday, August 12 at Myers Memorial Stadium in Cotulla.
“It’s exciting times right now for us,” first-year PHS Head Football Coach Ruben Deleon said. “We have about 80 players out in the program from ninth grade up to 12th grade.
“The boys have been getting after it and flying around on the field for the start of the season. I am pleased with the effort and energy they have been giving us on the field.”
Deleon said this week’s matchup will go a long way in determining roster spots as well as continuing to improve and learn his new system.
“This week we are looking for improvement on both sides of the ball as well as looking to clear up position battles we have at certain positions,” he said. “Offensively, we want to make sure we are executing on our plays and fine tuning to get us prepared for our first non-district game.
“On the defensive side, we want to see effort and confidence to be able and fly around. We also want to make sure we have correct alignments on the field for our players.”
In Dilley, DHS AD and Head Football Coach David Silva said that the work his players put in, in the offseason is paying dividends for the team.
“The boys are looking good, getting used to the pads, but, that’ll come,” Silva said. “The majority of our kids showed up for summer workouts and we’re that much further ahead and able to work football and not having to spend time getting them in shape.
“Thursday, it’s going to be about executing base plays versus different defenses and our defense having to adjust to different offensive schemes, that’s why I like the tri-scrimmage formats, you practice against different offensive and defensive schemes all in one practice session.”
Cotulla AD and Head Football Coach Marcus Booker said his improved health and offseason work by his players has the Cowboys in a sound position entering the season.
“I feel that we are much improved from last year,” he said. “Hopefully, I wont get sick, so it can be great year.
“We are so much further ahead than last year, also I have 16 seniors, which always helps. I am just hoping to get out of each scrimmage healthy.”
“I know my kids know the system, so we just need to be healthy, like most small schools it’s hard to have injuries. I believe as long as Cotulla doesn’t hurt Cotulla, then it should be a very good year.”

DILLEY will kick off the start of the season as they participate in a tri-scrimmage this Thursday in Pearsall against the Mavericks and Crystal City Javelinas. In the first action of the season, teams will work on offensive and defensive schemes against opponents in live, game-type sessions.
(CURRENT photo: Manuel Azocar III)

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