Ask PSJA head coach Mel Rios and he'll tell you just how tough District 31-5A really is.

Rios' Bears came in fifth place in 31-5A this season losing to the second through fourth place teams by a combined score of five points.

PSJA High lost to Edinburg North by three points, 31-28 in a nailbiter from the start.

The following week, the Bears lost to the Edinburg High Bobcats 33-32 in overtime.

Then in Week 10 with the Bears officially out of the postseason, PSJA High went for the win late in the game but came up short on the two-point play for the 21-20 loss.

EDINBURG — Finding bulletin board material in the Internet age isn’t very difficult. Edinburg High junior linebacker Ciro Reyna says his teammates have found a wealth of it and are using it for motivation as they prepare to take on Del Rio in Saturday’s Class 5A Division I area playoff in San Antonio.

“Some of their guys on MySpace are talking about how this is just going to be another game for them,” Reyna said.

Valley-Boys basketball schedule
Editor’s Note: Coaches are asked to e-mail their schedules to wbaker@themonitor.com or fax them to (956) 683-4401.
Nov. 16
Non-district
Weslaco High at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 17
Non-district
PSJA Memorial at McAllen Memorial, 7:30 p.m.
Harlingen South at Sharyland, 7:30 p.m.
La Joya Palmview at Mission Veterans, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Pace at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Lopez at PSJA High, 7:30 p.m.
Roma at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m.

Valley-Boys basketball schedule
Editor’s Note: Coaches are asked to e-mail their schedules to wbaker@themonitor.com or fax them to (956) 683-4401.
Nov. 16
Non-district
Weslaco High at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 17
Non-district
PSJA Memorial at McAllen Memorial, 7:30 p.m.
Harlingen South at Sharyland, 7:30 p.m.
La Joya Palmview at Mission Veterans, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Pace at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Lopez at PSJA High, 7:30 p.m.
Roma at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m.

With the state tournaments starting this weekend, here’s highlighting the top five playoff games followed by a rapid-fire look at the rest:

McALLEN HIGH VS. EAGLE PASS: This year Eagle Pass has been as erratic as Sally Field playing Sybil. They’re up and they’re down, they’re in then they’re out … a walking Katy Perry song. I the Bulldogs will begin the playoff season with a lot more focus than their opponent. McALLEN HIGH 28, Eagle Pass 14

With the state tournaments starting this weekend, here’s highlighting the top five playoff games followed by a rapid-fire look at the rest:

McALLEN HIGH VS. EAGLE PASS: This year Eagle Pass has been as erratic as Sally Field playing Sybil. They’re up and they’re down, they’re in then they’re out … a walking Katy Perry song. I the Bulldogs will begin the playoff season with a lot more focus than their opponent. McALLEN HIGH 28, Eagle Pass 14

HARLINGEN — The Valley's football postseason couldn't have kicked off with a better matchup.

In a rematch of the 80th Battle of the Arroyo, the Harlingen Cardinals will host the San Benito Greyhounds on Friday at Boggus Stadium in a Class 5A, Division I bi-district playoff game. Harlingen, which secured a playoff berth a couple of weeks ago, wrapped up a perfect regular season with a 66-7 win against Harlingen South on Friday.

HARLINGEN — The Valley's football postseason couldn't have kicked off with a better matchup.

In a rematch of the 80th Battle of the Arroyo, the Harlingen Cardinals will host the San Benito Greyhounds on Friday at Boggus Stadium in a Class 5A, Division I bi-district playoff game. Harlingen, which secured a playoff berth a couple of weeks ago, wrapped up a perfect regular season with a 66-7 win against Harlingen South on Friday.

Here it is, the last regular season game of high school football. There have been many ups, downs, surprises, happy endings (almost) and nightmarish seasons.

If you’re plotting your team’s first-round opponent, congratulations. If you’re looking at the freshmen and JV teams and predicting an incredible 2010 season, though, more power to you. Hopefully your ride hasn’t been too bumpy.

So to send the 2009 regular season off with style, here are five games that mean something in the standings, playoff bracket or just plain ol’ bragging rights.

Enjoy.

The final playoff spot in District 30-5A will come down to Week 10.

McAllen Memorial and Rio Grande City are tied for fourth with 3-3 league records. If both lose next week, RGC would be in because it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Rattlers beat the Mustangs 42-35 in Week 5 in what has turned out to be one of the key games in 30-5A this season.