Football Preview: Mercedes Tigers vs. Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets
Mercedes is 9-1 against Edcouch-Elsa since October of 2014, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. After each having a week off, the two teams will dust off their jerseys to take on one another at 7:00 p.m. Mercedes is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 28.4 points per game this season.
Mercedes is probably headed into the match with a chip on their shoulder considering Sharyland just ended the team's three-game winning streak last Friday. They received a blow as they fell 56-40 to the Rattlers. One positive for the Tigers, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.
Mercedes might have lost, but man, Robert Sanchez was a machine: he rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns while picking up 7.9 yards per carry, and also caught a touchdown. Diego Bravo was another key player, rushing for 115 yards on only 15 carries.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Mercedes was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 356 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 193 rushing yards in five consecutive games.
Meanwhile, Edcouch-Elsa came up short against Port Isabel last Friday and fell 28-21. The loss continues a trend for the Yellowjackets in their matchups with the Tarpons: they've now lost three in a row.
Edcouch-Elsa wouldn't let Port Isabel keep a hold of the ball as they managed to force five fumbles. Matthew Cano and Matthew Enriquez were the leaders of the group effort as each produced two apiece. Enriquez also set a new season high mark in total tackles with 13. Troy Barco was another major factor on D, making 18 total tackles (2.0 for loss).
Mercedes' defeat dropped their record down to 3-2. As for Edcouch-Elsa, their loss dropped their record down to an identical 3-2.
Friday's matchup might be decided in the on the ground. Mercedes has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 290.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Edcouch-Elsa struggles in that department as they've been averaging 178.8. It's looking like Friday's contest might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Mercedes came up short against Edcouch-Elsa in their previous matchup back in October of 2023, falling 28-19. Can Mercedes avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
