MISSION — Tom Landry Stadium has felt like a different place this season. Unlike in recent years, there’s been a tense yet exciting feeling around this year’s Mission High Eagles team, with expectations moving from just a playoff berth to something more, something more memorable.

Perhaps no player symbolizes that excitement more than wide receiver/defensive back Joaquin Rios. On one of the Valley’s fastest teams, Rios’ speed and playmaking ability stands out.

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.

The flips are done. The maneuvering for home-field advantage the bi-district round is finished. And there’s still one week left in the regular season.

Mission High, which can clinch the district title outright with a win at Valley View, will play host to Alice next Friday night as 32-4A’s top seed in Division I. The Eagles having the home-field advantage was pre-determined because the two teams faced off in last year’s bi-district round at Alice, sending this year’s game to Tom Landry Stadium.

MISSION — After his team’s 31-14 win over Roma on Thursday night at Tom Landry Stadium, Mission Veterans Memorial coach David Gilpin said he thought about telling his kids to stop celebrating so much and act like they’d done what they just did. Gilpin, though, realized that he and his kids hadn’t ever clinched a playoff spot. Because, for only the second time in the school’s history, the Patriots are heading to the playoffs.

MISSION — Mission High’s stout defense helped provide another stunning blow to Edcouch-Elsa in a season filled with them.

After the 32-0 Eagles win on Saturday at Tom Landry Stadium, Edcouch-Elsa is in a battle for District 32-4A’s fourth and final playoff spot with the likes of La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Roma and Mission Veterans.

If the playoffs were to start next week, E-E would be preparing for an early offseason after six consecutive district championships.

MISSION — Mission High’s stout defense helped provide another stunning blow to Edcouch-Elsa in a season filled with them.

After the 32-0 Eagles win on Saturday at Tom Landry Stadium, Edcouch-Elsa is in a battle for District 32-4A’s fourth and final playoff spot with the likes of La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Roma and Mission Veterans.

If the playoffs were to start next week, E-E would be preparing for an early offseason after six consecutive district championships.

MISSION — A patriot is known for defending his territory and Mission Veterans Memorial’s Patriots defended theirs Friday night at Tom Landry Stadium.

The Patriots shut down La Joya Lincoln-Juarez, and didn’t let the Huskies cross the goal line until late in the fourth quarter in a convincing 34-15 rout in District 32-4A play. The win keeps the Patriots’ (4-3, 2-2) playoff hopes alive as they head to Edcouch-Elsa next week.

MISSION – Style points didn’t count for much Thursday night at Tom Landry Stadium, and that’s a good thing too for Mission Veterans, which defeated Valley View 12-0 in both teams’ District 32-4A opener.

Veterans relied on a stout defense and a couple of touchdowns to send the Tigers packing. The Patriots (3-1) allowed 86 total yards and three first downs.

Joe Tovar scored on a 13-yard end around in the second quarter, and running back Jose Hidrogo came up with a 47-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.