Saturday, September 18, 2010
09.14.2010: Volleyball: United 3, Cigarroa 1
The Lady Longhorns won, 25-19, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21. United improved to 5-1 in District 29-5A, 12-11 overall. Cigarroa fell to 4-2, 18-9. Leading the way for United was Sammie Garcia (six points, nine digs), Valerie Gutierrez (seven kills) and Ali Sanchez (13 kills). Leading the way for Cigarroa was Raquel Martinez (15 assists) and Sandra Ambriz (five kills, five digs).
Monday, September 13, 2010
Week 2 Football: United 61, Martin 13
All week long, the question on the lips of high school football fans across Laredo was whether or not United senior quarterback Tony Salas, injured in the season opener against Smithson Valley last week, would be healthy enough to start against Martin on Thursday.
The answer proved to be no, Salas didn't start. Surprisingly, it didn't matter.
District play kicked off for 29-5A with a dominant performance by the United Longhorns over the Martin Tigers, 61-13, at the SAC.
Martin scored first on a 40-yard touchdown run by Rudy Castillo, but United scored the next 61, including 16 points within the following two minutes of play, and the route was on.
The game was highlighted by a number of short, single play possessions.
The two teams combined for seven single play drives.
United’s four drives all resulted in touchdowns and accounted for 210 yards of quick strike offense. Martin’s three single play drives resulted in two interceptions and a safety.
It was possessions like those which had United coach David Sanchez beaming and excited about the direction of his program at the end of the night.
No two Longhorns had bigger nights than junior running back Billy Williams III and wide receiver Nick Fuentes.
Sanchez had heaped high expectations on Williams in the weeks leading up to the season and Williams proved he was worthy of the hype.
In what was only his second varsity start, Williams tore up the Martin defense for nearly 200 yards.
In the first half alone, Williams rushed for 187 yards, highlighted by a 96-yard jaunt down the middle of the field for a score. He sat the second half out to allow backups game-time experience
Fuentes had five catches for 136 yards in the first two quarters before joining Williams on the sideline after halftime. Four of Fuentes' five catches went for touchdowns, and several of the catches were displays of exceptional athleticism.
The answer proved to be no, Salas didn't start. Surprisingly, it didn't matter.
District play kicked off for 29-5A with a dominant performance by the United Longhorns over the Martin Tigers, 61-13, at the SAC.
Martin scored first on a 40-yard touchdown run by Rudy Castillo, but United scored the next 61, including 16 points within the following two minutes of play, and the route was on.
The game was highlighted by a number of short, single play possessions.
The two teams combined for seven single play drives.
United’s four drives all resulted in touchdowns and accounted for 210 yards of quick strike offense. Martin’s three single play drives resulted in two interceptions and a safety.
It was possessions like those which had United coach David Sanchez beaming and excited about the direction of his program at the end of the night.
No two Longhorns had bigger nights than junior running back Billy Williams III and wide receiver Nick Fuentes.
Sanchez had heaped high expectations on Williams in the weeks leading up to the season and Williams proved he was worthy of the hype.
In what was only his second varsity start, Williams tore up the Martin defense for nearly 200 yards.
In the first half alone, Williams rushed for 187 yards, highlighted by a 96-yard jaunt down the middle of the field for a score. He sat the second half out to allow backups game-time experience
Fuentes had five catches for 136 yards in the first two quarters before joining Williams on the sideline after halftime. Four of Fuentes' five catches went for touchdowns, and several of the catches were displays of exceptional athleticism.
09.11.10: United 3, Nixon 2
The Lady Longhorns won 18-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-21 and 15-7. United improved to 4-1 in District 29-5A, 11-11. Nixon fell to 2-3, 12-13. leading the way for Nixon was Rosalynn Velasquez (14 kills, seven digs), Kassy Ladesma (15 assists, eight digs) and Sammie Garcia (17 kills). Leading the way for United was Natalie Chavez (14 kills, 13 assists, seven digs), Karina de Anda (16 digs, nine points), Ashley Everett (11 kills, six blocks), Kristen Ovalle (21 assists, nine points, seven digs).
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sept. 7: Volleyball: United 3, Del Rio 0
United dethroned the Del Rio Queens with a convincing victory Tuesday night to stay one game behind the District 29-5A leaders.
Behind the arms of seniors Natalie Chavez and Ashley Everett, United controlled the net on both ends and cruised to a 25-8, 25-13 and 25-21 victory at the United gymnasium.
United (3-1 29-5A, 10-11) rebounded from its heartbreaking loss at the hands of Eagle Pass Saturday afternoon.
Chavez and Everett were monsters at the net, recording 10 blocks on defense while exploding for 16 kills on offense to keep the Del Rio defense busy all night long.
Del Rio (2-2, 7-5) could not find an answer to the United defense.
UNITED STATS: Valeria Gutierrez (seven kills, one dig), Ali Sanchez (two kills), Natalie Chavez (eight kills, 15 assist, two block), Ashley Everett (eight kills, three blocks), Kristen Ovalle (12 assists, four digs).
Behind the arms of seniors Natalie Chavez and Ashley Everett, United controlled the net on both ends and cruised to a 25-8, 25-13 and 25-21 victory at the United gymnasium.
United (3-1 29-5A, 10-11) rebounded from its heartbreaking loss at the hands of Eagle Pass Saturday afternoon.
Chavez and Everett were monsters at the net, recording 10 blocks on defense while exploding for 16 kills on offense to keep the Del Rio defense busy all night long.
Del Rio (2-2, 7-5) could not find an answer to the United defense.
UNITED STATS: Valeria Gutierrez (seven kills, one dig), Ali Sanchez (two kills), Natalie Chavez (eight kills, 15 assist, two block), Ashley Everett (eight kills, three blocks), Kristen Ovalle (12 assists, four digs).
Sunday, September 5, 2010
09.04.10: Eagle Pass 3, United 2
The Lady Eagles (16-5, 3-0 29-5A) snuck by the Lady Longhorns (9-11, 2-1), 23-25, 25-14, 25-14, 22-25, 15-10. Leading the way for United was Karina de Anda (30 digs, five points), Natalie Chavez (nine kills, 13 assists, five digs) and Ashley Everett (13 kills, five blocks).
Week 1: Smithson Valley 31, United 3
The United Longhorns had hoped the return of quarterback Tony Salas would be marked with a victory over the No. 7 ranked Smithson Valley Rangers.
Instead, Salas left the lineup with an injury at halftime and didn't finish the game, which the Rangers dominated 31-3 on Friday night at the SAC by scoring 31 unanswered points.
"He hurt his shoulder," said United head football coach David Sanchez. "We hope everything's going to be okay. We're trying to be smart and take care of him."
Before an injury forced him out of the game, Salas, a senior, was able to lead the Longhorns (0-1) to an early 3-0 lead which held for much of the first half.
It was the first points scored on Smithson Valley this season after the Rangers, ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 4A by the Associated Press, held Permian scoreless in Week 0.
In Sanchez's opinion, the three points should have been joined by more.
"We just left too many points out on the field," he said. "Got to the red zone too many times and didn't come away with anything. Doesn't help morale, doesn't help the enthusiasm of the team.
"Those are things we've got to work on and hopefully get better at."
Salas finished the game with 56 yards in the air on 9-of-17 passing and added 63 rushing yards on eight carries.
Zepeda threw for 80 yards on 11-of-21 passing. Junior Billy Williams led the running backs with 49 yards on eight carries.
Sergio Ramos and Nick Fuentes contributed 35 receiving yards each; Ramos contributed three catches and Fuentes did it with seven.
Smithson Valley finished the game with 411 total yards, 274 on the ground and 137 through the air.
United completed the game with 240 yards, 104 on the ground and 136 through the air.
Instead, Salas left the lineup with an injury at halftime and didn't finish the game, which the Rangers dominated 31-3 on Friday night at the SAC by scoring 31 unanswered points.
"He hurt his shoulder," said United head football coach David Sanchez. "We hope everything's going to be okay. We're trying to be smart and take care of him."
Before an injury forced him out of the game, Salas, a senior, was able to lead the Longhorns (0-1) to an early 3-0 lead which held for much of the first half.
It was the first points scored on Smithson Valley this season after the Rangers, ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 4A by the Associated Press, held Permian scoreless in Week 0.
In Sanchez's opinion, the three points should have been joined by more.
"We just left too many points out on the field," he said. "Got to the red zone too many times and didn't come away with anything. Doesn't help morale, doesn't help the enthusiasm of the team.
"Those are things we've got to work on and hopefully get better at."
Salas finished the game with 56 yards in the air on 9-of-17 passing and added 63 rushing yards on eight carries.
Zepeda threw for 80 yards on 11-of-21 passing. Junior Billy Williams led the running backs with 49 yards on eight carries.
Sergio Ramos and Nick Fuentes contributed 35 receiving yards each; Ramos contributed three catches and Fuentes did it with seven.
Smithson Valley finished the game with 411 total yards, 274 on the ground and 137 through the air.
United completed the game with 240 yards, 104 on the ground and 136 through the air.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Best / Worst Case United
In 2009 injuries which kept United's starting quarterback Tony Salas and #2 receiver Sergio Ramos out of the lineup for the end of the season were enough to keep the Longhorns out of the playoffs. This year, Ramos and Salas are back and joined by the young electrifying tailback Billie Williams to form one of the most potent offensive attacks in Laredo. The Longhorns traditionally have one of the more reliable defenses in town and the combination of great offense and strong defense make the sky the limit for the Longhorns this year.
BEST CASE SCENARIO
The hardest contest of the season comes up front and center for the United Longhorns when Smithson Valley comes to town. The Smithson Valley Rangers are one of the top ten 4A teams in the state, and United head football coach David Sanchez said they would easily still be in the top 25 if they were classified as a 5A school. The Rangers are making the more than three-hour drive to Laredo for the game, and boast a defense which shut out Permian in week zero. Despite the low scoring nature of the Rangers win over Permian (6-0), Sanchez said he hopes for a shootout at the SAC to deliver the win. United has the weapons on offense to make it happen and if they can execute flawlessly a win IS possible and would happen to mark the start of a dream season with a 1-0 record.
The rest of United's schedule plays out well, without any prolonged stretches of tough opponents. Week two will feature a game against the Martin Tigers, and in a dream season scenario, United would win this one in a blowout to advance to 2-0.
Week three witnesses United squaring off against their South side cousins at United South. The Panthers will put up some points on United, but not enough to challenge the Longhorns. 3-0.
Week four sends United on the road for a game against Eagle Pass. This road trip is probably the single hardest district game for the Longhorns, but after being tested by Smithson Valley in week one, Eagle Pass should make for a challenging, but winnable, contest. Longhorns win a tough one for a 4-0 record.
The Longhorns return home in week five to face one of 29-5A's top teams from a season ago. Del Rio will be looking to put the hurt on the Horns, but a dream season would feature a big win in the SAC for United in week five to put United at 5-0.
After Del Rio the Longhorns face a very winnable month of October but would be entering it with a big target on their back. Nixon, Cigarroa, Eagle Pass Winn (on the road), and LBJ will all give United their best showing at a chance for glory. One of two of these opponents may rise to the occasion and keep the game close, but the dream would stay alive if United swept them all to put the Longhorn's record at 9-0.
Sitting at 9-0 going into rivalry week against the Alexander Bulldogs will make for one heck of a season finale. No dream season is complete, however, without a win over the bulldogs.
United's dream season would be one where the defense improved upon its 2009 numbers (when it gave up only 20 points a game) and delivered the kinds of performances which would cement it as the elite of 29-5A. If the offensive monster lives up to its potential, United could be one of the most complete football teams Laredo has seen in years. A perfect 10-0 season is a possibility, and the real question then would be how far the Horns could make it into the playoffs.
WORST CASE SCENARIO
The worst case scenario would be a repeat of 2009. Injuries to key players derailing an otherwise promising season, losses to the bigger teams fromout-of-town, it's not an ugly picture but one's memory doesn’t need to go far back to remember what a distinct possibility it is.
The nightmare season would begin with a blowout loss to Smithson Valley at the start of the year and a 0-1 record.
Even if crushed by the Rangers, United should still be able to earn a win over the Martin Tigers in week two. Week three's match up with United South, however, is one of several games which could potentially take a turn for the worst and end as a loss in a worst case scenario.
Weeks four and five against Eagle Pass and Del Rio would both be losses in a nightmare season to put the Horns at either 1-3 or 0-4.
Of the next four game stretch both Nixon and LBJ are teams who, like United South, might nip the Horns in a worst case scenario. Eagle Pass Winn comes on the road, and could join those teams as well. Cigarroa is a big bodied strong team, but it probably lacks the scoring power to keep up with United in even a worst case scenario.
The nightmare would be complete with a season ending loss to rival Alexander for the second year in a row.
This worst case scenario would witness the Longhorns going 5-5. Losses to Smithson Valley, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and LBJ. The horns would also have gone 3-1 against United South, Nixon, Eagle Pass Winn, and LBJ but will have won against Martin and Cigarroa.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
Coach Sanchez is a traditional winner at almost every stop he makes. I think that last years 5-5 mark, missing the playoffs by a single game, is a fluke that won't be repeated. I think the Horns will lose to Smithson Valley, but will gain valuable knowledge from the experience which will help them go 2-1 against the three biggest threats, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and United. I'm predicting the Longhorns go 8-2 on the season and finish no worse than second in district before launching into the playoffs.
BEST CASE SCENARIO
The hardest contest of the season comes up front and center for the United Longhorns when Smithson Valley comes to town. The Smithson Valley Rangers are one of the top ten 4A teams in the state, and United head football coach David Sanchez said they would easily still be in the top 25 if they were classified as a 5A school. The Rangers are making the more than three-hour drive to Laredo for the game, and boast a defense which shut out Permian in week zero. Despite the low scoring nature of the Rangers win over Permian (6-0), Sanchez said he hopes for a shootout at the SAC to deliver the win. United has the weapons on offense to make it happen and if they can execute flawlessly a win IS possible and would happen to mark the start of a dream season with a 1-0 record.
The rest of United's schedule plays out well, without any prolonged stretches of tough opponents. Week two will feature a game against the Martin Tigers, and in a dream season scenario, United would win this one in a blowout to advance to 2-0.
Week three witnesses United squaring off against their South side cousins at United South. The Panthers will put up some points on United, but not enough to challenge the Longhorns. 3-0.
Week four sends United on the road for a game against Eagle Pass. This road trip is probably the single hardest district game for the Longhorns, but after being tested by Smithson Valley in week one, Eagle Pass should make for a challenging, but winnable, contest. Longhorns win a tough one for a 4-0 record.
The Longhorns return home in week five to face one of 29-5A's top teams from a season ago. Del Rio will be looking to put the hurt on the Horns, but a dream season would feature a big win in the SAC for United in week five to put United at 5-0.
After Del Rio the Longhorns face a very winnable month of October but would be entering it with a big target on their back. Nixon, Cigarroa, Eagle Pass Winn (on the road), and LBJ will all give United their best showing at a chance for glory. One of two of these opponents may rise to the occasion and keep the game close, but the dream would stay alive if United swept them all to put the Longhorn's record at 9-0.
Sitting at 9-0 going into rivalry week against the Alexander Bulldogs will make for one heck of a season finale. No dream season is complete, however, without a win over the bulldogs.
United's dream season would be one where the defense improved upon its 2009 numbers (when it gave up only 20 points a game) and delivered the kinds of performances which would cement it as the elite of 29-5A. If the offensive monster lives up to its potential, United could be one of the most complete football teams Laredo has seen in years. A perfect 10-0 season is a possibility, and the real question then would be how far the Horns could make it into the playoffs.
WORST CASE SCENARIO
The worst case scenario would be a repeat of 2009. Injuries to key players derailing an otherwise promising season, losses to the bigger teams fromout-of-town, it's not an ugly picture but one's memory doesn’t need to go far back to remember what a distinct possibility it is.
The nightmare season would begin with a blowout loss to Smithson Valley at the start of the year and a 0-1 record.
Even if crushed by the Rangers, United should still be able to earn a win over the Martin Tigers in week two. Week three's match up with United South, however, is one of several games which could potentially take a turn for the worst and end as a loss in a worst case scenario.
Weeks four and five against Eagle Pass and Del Rio would both be losses in a nightmare season to put the Horns at either 1-3 or 0-4.
Of the next four game stretch both Nixon and LBJ are teams who, like United South, might nip the Horns in a worst case scenario. Eagle Pass Winn comes on the road, and could join those teams as well. Cigarroa is a big bodied strong team, but it probably lacks the scoring power to keep up with United in even a worst case scenario.
The nightmare would be complete with a season ending loss to rival Alexander for the second year in a row.
This worst case scenario would witness the Longhorns going 5-5. Losses to Smithson Valley, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and LBJ. The horns would also have gone 3-1 against United South, Nixon, Eagle Pass Winn, and LBJ but will have won against Martin and Cigarroa.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
Coach Sanchez is a traditional winner at almost every stop he makes. I think that last years 5-5 mark, missing the playoffs by a single game, is a fluke that won't be repeated. I think the Horns will lose to Smithson Valley, but will gain valuable knowledge from the experience which will help them go 2-1 against the three biggest threats, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and United. I'm predicting the Longhorns go 8-2 on the season and finish no worse than second in district before launching into the playoffs.
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