MISSION – In the midst of Sharyland’s Class 5A Division I football playoff run, senior quarterback and pitcher/catcher Tres Barrera signed a letter of intent to play baseball at The University of Texas-Austin next year.

“It’s incredible, all my friends, family, coaches and teachers, they’ve backed me up all the way,” said Barrera after the signing at Sharyland’s Main Gym. “It’s been a great experience.”

Read more: Sharyland baseball standout Tres Barrera signs with UT-Austin

Sharyland’s Christian Martinez breaks into the open field after making a reception during the first quarter of the Rattlers’ 72-30 bi-district playoff game victory over Laredo United. Progess Times photo by Bill LeidnerMISSION – All season long Sharyland dreamed of getting some payback against Laredo United for their quick exit from the playoffs last season, and they got what they wanted.

The Rattlers crushed the Longhorns 72-30 in their Class 5A Division I bi-district playoff game to advance to the area round of the postseason against Harlingen on Friday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Rattler Stadium.

Read more: Rattlers get redemption; Crush Laredo United in bi-district, ready for Harlingen in area round

Significance of Game: 5A Division I Area Football Play-Off Game
Teams Involved: Sharyland Rattlers vs Harlingen Cardinals
Home Team: Sharyland Rattlers
Date of Game: Friday November 23rd, 2012
Site of Game: Weslaco ISD “Bobby Lackey Stadium”
Start Time of Game: 7:30 p.m.
Gates will Open at: 5:45 p.m.

Read more: Sharyland Div. 1 Area Playoff Game tickets and details

Palmview cross country runner Jose Jaime overtakes the field en route to winning the District 30-5A cross country championship. Progress Times photo by Luciano Guerra.At Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, Saturday, 107 of the best high school long distance runners from across the Lone Star State were off and running at the sound of the starter’s pistol signaling the start of the class 5A boys varsity cross country state championship race. Sixteen minutes, thirty-one and one tenth seconds later, Jose Jaime of Palmview High School crossed the finish line as the 39th best 5A runner in the state.

Having just completed his third year of running cross country for Palmview High School, Jaime has already attained a level of success that few high school athletes ever attain. Inspired by his sister and her coach, Jaime’s success began the very first year he ran cross country.

Read more: Palmview’s Jose Jaime among best in state

A Mercedes defender breaks up a pass intended for Mission's Robert Veliz during the first half of the Eagles 23-14 loss to the Tigers. Progress Times photo by Luciano GuerraCoach Mario Peña entered the 2012 season with three goals for his Mission Eagles football team. The first was to make the playoffs. The second was to win the district championship. The third was to have an undefeated season.

Coming off of a 2-8 2011 season, those goals might have seemed to be nothing more than pipe dreams in some peoples’ eyes, but with only one game left in District 32-4A play last week the Eagles were within one win of achieving all three goals. Enter the Mercedes Tigers.

Read more: Eagles open playoffs against C.C. Ray tonight

Both Mission CISD (Consolidated Independent School District) high school football teams are advancing to the playoffs this week. Tickets for the games are on sale. Season ticket holders can purchase tickets from 8 a.m.-noon. General ticket sales will be held 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Mission CISD Athletic Department located at the Central Administration building, 1201 Bryce Drive, Mission. These will be reserved seats at $8. General admission tickets will be available prior to each game at the gate for $7.

Veterans Memorial High School will take on Corpus Christi Flour Bluff on Thursday, November, 15, at Tom Landry Stadium. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.

Mission High School will play Corpus Christi Ray on Friday, November 16, at Tom Landry Stadium. Kick-off will be at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket sales at the athletic office will continue through the rest of the week leading into the games, ending at 12 p.m. on the individual game day.

For more information, contact the Mission CISD athletic department at 323-5684.