Raul Flores Express News Staff Writer
Publication: San Antonio Express-News
Date: December 1, 1990
Page: 4H
Marshall enjoying its best season ever, tries to keep it going when it tangles with Pharr-San Juan-Alamo in a big 5A regional playoff game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Northside Stadium. The Rams, coming off a 20-19 victory over MacArthur, take a 9-3 slate into the clash.
PSJA is 11-1, with its only blemish a 20-17 loss to District 31-5A champ Mission in the middle of the season.
Marshall’s rushing attack, which has picked up almost 1,000 yards in its last three outings, will try to run through a stiff PSJA defense. The Bears have allowed 909 yards on the ground in 12 games and Rams coach David Visentine knows defenses that key on the run have given Marshall trouble in the past. “You have to be able to profit from your mistakes,” Visentine said. “Our offensive line knows their role is going to be creating the gaps. Anytime you play a stingy defense, you have to try to keep them off balance.”
To keep the Bears off balance, the Rams will keep them guessing which of their three main backs will get the ball.
Senior V.J. Villarreal is tops among the Marshall backs with 1,235 yards on 184 carries and 10 TDs. Junior Anthony Holmes has 996 yards and eight TDs. Senior Nick Monreal, the bulldozer of the trio, gets the call on short-yardage situations.
If Marshall is forced to pass, it could be in for a long night. Harlingen proved that last year in knocking off the Rams, 14-11, in the area round. “Marshall is perhaps the biggest offensive line we’ve faced all year,” PSJA coach Gil Garza said. “The key will be who wins the battles in the trenches on the line. We’ll need to try and force them into third-and-long situations.”
Garza is pinning his hopes on linebacker David Aleman, who comes in with 18 sacks. He got three in the Bears’ 28-21 victory over Corpus Christi Carroll last week. Tackles Sergio Contreras and Mario Quiroz head up a defense that allowed 1.8 yards per rush and registered 60 sacks during the regular season. “It’s tough on us because we can’t key on just one runner,” Garza said. “It’s a tribute to them because people know they are going to run and they’re still successful with it.”
PSJA’s success has hinged on the passing of senior Hector Ayala and the running of fullback Mike Navarro. Ayala has completed 125 of 200 passes for 2,054 yards and 24 TDs. Wideout Tony Zuniga has been on the receiving end of 53 passes for 819 yards and 10 TDs. Navarro’s 933 yards on 184 carries has offset the passing attack, and that has Visentine concerned.
“It makes it difficult because you can’t focus on just one player,” Visentine said. “It’s a big challenge and I don’t know that we will stop them. Our main concern is controlling them.” The regional round is the farthest PSJA has advanced since 1963 when it reached the state finals.
