BY GREG SELBER

For the kickoff week of a new football season, the schedule is a tad light upon first glance, but there are some compelling matchups to be had nonetheless.

Among them is the Hanna-Sharyland game, mainly to see the Rattlers start their defense of the district title with a revamped attack. Last year the Rattlers pounded the Eagles unmercifully, 46-0. Hanna has some weapons but will have to work overtime to stay with one of the Valley’s most consistent winners.

Also worth keeping an eye on is the Edinburg North-Pace match between a couple of teams that will probably be prominent in their league races in 2011. North is walking somewhat of a tightrope, with a talented group short on depth. The Coogs will score some points in 2011; the question is, Can they stop the other offenses? The Vikings have been one of the best buzz generators in the early going with a strong start. Pace is very balanced and explosive on offense, with defensive stars Ubaldo Encinia and Kyle Carter looking every bit as awesome as they did last year.

It’s one thing to perform well in scrimmages, another to transfer that to the regular season. But Pace looks to be the class of the Brownsvilles heading into 2011.

In past years the Edcouch-Elsa versus Port Isabel contest has been a barnburner, but this time around the Tarpons are going to have to hustle to keep up with the terribly tough Yellowjackets. PI will end up competing for a playoff spot in 32-3A, and starting off with a solid effort against a favored club on the road is a must. The young Tarps seek to avoid the crummy start that put them behind the eight ball a bit in 2010 before a superb finishing run salvaged the campaign.

The season actually gets going Thursday at P-SJ-A Stadium with the Raiders of North taking on Donna. This fall marks the 50^th anniversary of the Redskin state title run, and Coach Manny Moreno and his club want desperately to make the grade, and frankly, a lot is riding on the season for Donna besides history. North has some question marks but one can always count on the program to be competitive. How competitive, it remains to be seen, making this kickoff game a definitely intriguing one.

Rio Hondo begins the slate with a fight against Robstown; last year the Bobcats lost a bunch early, including to the Cottonpickers, and much like PI turned it on late to gain a playoff berth. This time, the talent-rich club has been picked to win the league, and should be able to take care of a Robstown unit that suffered big-time graduation losses.

One of the most even-Steven matches pits Hidalgo and La Feria, two old buddies from the 32-3A days of old. The Pirates will try and establish the running game while the Lions under new coach Oscar Salinas have one of the most exciting receivers in the Valley, Gilbert Jimenez.

US AGAINST THE WORLD

The Valley sends a number of its contingents into battle against upstate outfits, including Mission Vets against Somerset, Los Fresnos against Del Valle, Lyford against Hebbronville, Harlingen South against Victoria East, and Mission against San Antonio Holy Cross.

Former Mission coach Sonny Detmer makes his return to the area guiding a Somerset team that went 10-3 last year but will take the field minus great QB Stevie Dorman, who moved on to college. The Bulldogs are picked second in 27-3A behind Devine and ahead of Hondo.

The Del Valle team that Los Fresnos takes on was 2-8 last year and is picked fifth in 15-5A. But last season the Cards blasted the Falcons to bits. In 2011, it is imperative for Los Fresnos to make a better showing, and by all accounts, they appear prepared to do so.

Hebbronville is selected fifth in 16-2A this season after a decent 6-4 season a year ago. Lyford, after a somewhat disappointing effort last year, wants to get back into the mix, and prove that that the program is still a threat. Says here that it is that, and will be better than people think.

In 2010, Harlingen South got simply pulverized by Victoria East, allowing 76 points. The Titans, 11-2 last year, are still tough but expect the improved Hawks to compete way better than they did last time. This is the season for South to show progress, for sure.

Mission has not had the greatest beginning in 2011, and faces a difficult task against perennial TAPPS power Holy Cross, which had seven wins last year and should gain more this fall. It’s always tricky to work against a private school; you beat them and folks say you should have. You lose and people say, How could that happen?

Tags: economedes, edinburg north, la feria, mission vets