Loboes Excited as District 1-3A Opens Friday at Pecos
    by Randy Hogan ~~ The Monahans News, October 5, 2007

After a grueling 2007 pre-district schedule, the Monahans Loboes approach Friday's District 1-3A opener at Pecos with anticipated optimism.

"Sure, we are ready to get it going,"  MHS football coach Mickey Owens said.  "This is what we are playing for, a shot at the District title."

Although the rest of District 1-3A opened conference play last week, the Loboes had an opportunity to fine tune their game against Graham at McMurray University in Abilene in the final non-district tilt of the season.

Monahans (1-3) continued to be their own worst enemy as turnovers once again plagued the Green in a game where mistakes were a contributing factor to the final score.  And though Coach Owens admits that his team competed better against the #6 ranked Steers a week ago, the Loboes are making too many mistakes.

"We did a lot more positive things but Graham was just better than we were," Owens said.  "The good thing is that our kids continued to play hard throughout the game.  Defensively we got severely three-and-out series against them.  We just have to get better on our overall game."

The Loboes have an opportunity to showcase their improvement with a road game at Pecos Friday.

Perhaps uncharacteristic of the 'Pecos River Shootout' both teams come into the game struggling to survive tough non-district schedules.  But don't let records fool you.

On the surface an 0-5 start by Pecos, compounded by a 1-3 record from Monahans doesn't have much eye appeal to football fans around the state, but tradition promises a great football game is in the making.

"Pecos will play their best game of the year simply because it's against Monahans," Owens said.  "You can throw all the records and statistics our, they are going to be ready to play."

Pecos opened the season with a 41-14 loss to  Shad Hanna's Alpine Fighting Bucks, before dropping pre-district games to Andrews, Kermit, and Denver City.  And to add insult to injury the Eagles opened the District 1-3A campaign with a 26-6  loss on the road at Anthony last week.

"Their record is not indicative of their play," Owens said.  "They played good against Andrews and Denver City, but didn't play well at Anthony.  They will be looking to get back on track against us."

PHS coach Chris Henson lost the District 1-3A rushing title-holder Luis Ortega to graduation, so the Eagles present a much different look in 2007.

"They are a lot more versatile this year than they have been in the past," Owens said.  "Coach Henson is getting good play from the fullback, and they get their quarterback back on the field.  They throw the ball really well."

Pecos will attack the green with a Wing-T set led by quarterback Paul Zubeldia and fullback Hector Ramirez in an attempt to exploit the defense out of double, pro, and trips formations.

Ramirez enters this week as the Permian Basin's fourth leading rusher with 525-yards on 88 carries.  He has averaged 6-yards per carry for the Eagles and has scored four touchdowns in that span.

Monahans will counter with 'battle hardened' heavy hitters on defense.

Clay Anthony continues to anchor the Wrecking Machine defense with 41 tackles, but MHS leading tackler Jorge Arriola (46 tackles) will miss the game due to a broken hand (spiral fracture).  Stepping into the lineup in place of Arriola will be Ivan Rios who has a sack and fumble recovery each to his name already this season.

"Jorge will be out for at least a week," Owens said.  "We hope to get him back next week, but Rios will play WLB for us this week, and he'll do a good job."

Perhaps a surprise on defense for MHS has been the play of Trevor Owens.

Owens has a total of 35 tackles on the season, and picked up 10 big tackles against the Graham Steers last week.

Despite a minus-7 in the turnover ratio this season, the Lobo offense will attempt to get back into a rhythm against the Eagles.

"It's been a weird year as far as turnovers," Owens said. "We just have to improve in that part of the game."

Owens welcomes back Stephen Neel to the Lobo backfield after being sidelined by an injury against Andrews two weeks ago.

Neel is the fifth leading rusher in the Permian Basin with 439 yards on 62 carries, for a 7.1 yard per carry average.

The Loboes know that the key to victory will be to control the line of scrimmage and establish the running game, and historically Monahans has had big offensive performances against Pecos.

Joining Neel in the offensive attack will once again be quarterback Steven Valles who enters the game having completed 19 of 48 passes for 317-yeard on the season.

Last week against Graham, Monahans alternated Valles and Quincy Titus at the quarterback position and each played admirably under tremendous pressure from the Steer defense.

The Green has endured a monster schedule leading into the District opener, and Coach Owens believes his team is ready for the challenge.

"We knew the first four games on the schedule would be the toughest of the year probably," Owens said.  "I know that being 1-3 right now makes us feel like we didn't do a lot, but I think we learned from the experience and got better as a team as a result.  These are the games (District 1-3A) that count from now on.  We need to be focused Friday night because Pecos will give us their best shot."

The Harris Rating system has tabbed the Loboes as a 35-point favorite on the road in Pecos Friday night.

Other teams around the District include Anthony in a pick'em game at Clint.  Ironically, Anthony is the only undefeated team remaining in District 1-3A posting a perfect 5-0 record on the season, and 1-0 in District after defeating Pecos last week.

Harris views the only other District game as Fabens a 25-point favorite at home against Tornillo.  Fort Stockton is open this week.

keyed by Laura Hinojos, Junior