The Sharyland Rattlers Boys Cross Country Team: From left, René Guillén, Luis Núñez, Andrés Calderón, Alexis Guerrero, Javier Valdéz, Gabriel Rodríguez, José Alemán, and José Ángel González.MISSION – Sharyland’s boys cross country schedule this year is a tough one, and it was made to be that way on purpose.

Last year the Rattlers gave up the district crown they won two years ago. They want it back. That’s one of the main objectives of the tough schedule that Sharyland cross country head coach Joe González has put together.

“The season was created as a tough season, and as a hard schedule,” said González. “We’ve been traveling a lot this year, from the Rio Grande Valley Classic to the UTSA Invitational. This week we travel to Corpus Christi. It’s been real tough and we haven’t had one easy meet.”

Read more: Rattlers seek to reclaim district title in cross country

Sharyland junior fullback Michael Gonzalez scores the Rattlers’ seventh touchdown of the game during last week’s 63-6 Sharyland victory over the La Joya Coyotes. Progess Times photo by Luciano GuerraDepending on which Big 6 football team you’re a fan of, Week 3 was either good news or bad news for you and your team.

Two of the teams that fell into the good news column last week were Mission High and Veterans Memorial. That’s because both teams had Week 3 off to heal up from their previous games and to prepare for their initial district games of the year. Not only do both Mission teams face foes with records identical to their own this week but the Eagles and the Patriots will both find themselves lining up against Tigers tonight.

In a battle of two undefeated teams, Coach Mario Peña and his 3-0 Mission Eagles will be traveling to Valley View tonight to play the 3-0 Tigers. Valley View’s three wins this year have come against Progresso (42-0), Brownsville Lopez (42-17) and Hidalgo (16-14). The Eagles have victories over Palmview (21-19), Brownsville Hanna (13-7) and C.C. Tuloso Midway (31-24).

Read more: Big 6 football: Good news/bad news

After some early game lapses, the Rattler defense got stingy in the second half. Noel Coronado (#23) and Bradley Klein (#30) pull down a Laredo Alexander running back during Sharyland’s 59-21 win last Friday night. Progress Times photo by Doug YoungMISSION—Sharyland’s non-district season is over. Now, it gets real.

After the Rattlers’ Week Two dismantling of the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs 59-21 on Sept. 14 that improved their overall record to 2-0, Sharyland is set to host La Joya on Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in their District 30-5A home opener at Rattlers Stadium.

“We’re looking forward to district. It’s like I told the kids, we’re 0-0 in district and it’s important to get that first district win,” Sharyland head coach Ron Adame said. “George Espinoza is going to have that team ready to go. They’ve got some momentum and they’ve won their last two games. Anytime you win, that attitude, that atmosphere becomes contagious because it breeds confidence.”

Read more: Sharyland routs Laredo Alexander in Week 2, hosts La Joya in opener

La Joya’s Melissa Cienega (#6) goes up high for a spike. Progress Times photo by Luciano GuerraIn a District 30-5A matchup at La Joya High School gymnasium Tuesday evening, the Lady Coyotes brought their A game with them as they swept the Lady Lobos of Palmview High School in three sets 25-16, 25-10 and 25-18.

The Lady Coyotes were led by seniors Yisel Valdez (10 assists) and Lauren Moreno (7 kills and 9 digs) and junior Melissa Cienega (4 kills and 1 stuff). The Lady Lobos were led by Amber Garza (4 aces, 5 digs and 12 assists), Gabriela Rodriguez (6 digs and 3 kills) and Abigail Hernandez (4 kills and 1 dig).

Read more: Lady Coyotes sweep Lady Lobos

Sharyland team mates (l-r) Chelsea Saenz, Kiki Honrubia and Yamyo Monie celebrate a point during the Lady Rattlers the game sweep of the visiting Donna Bravettes Tuesday night. Progress Times photo by Doug YoungMISSION – Sharyland swept its fourth match in five attempts Tuesday, September 11 after the Lady Rattlers defeated an energetic Donna 25-20, 25-13, 25-16.

Senior outside hitter Elise Smith fired two shots for game points in the opening and second sets to give the Lady Rattlers a 2-0 lead. Smith finished the match with 11 kills, 22 digs, and five aces.

Read more: Lady Rattlers down Donna in three: Notch fourth sweep in five district matches

Juarez-Lincoln running back Martin Diaz clashes with a Rio Hondo defender during the Huskies’ 21-20 win over the Bobcats September 6th. Progress Times photo by Luciano GuerraThe La Joya Coyotes opened the Big Six schools’ Week 2 with their first District 30-5A game of the season against Edinburg Vela last night at La Joya I.S.D. Stadium. After a 20-14 loss to Brownsville Lopez and their 21-19 victory over Brownsville Porter, the Coyotes entered district play with a 1-1 record. In their inaugural year, the Vela Sabercats entered 30-5A play having lost both of their non-district games by scores of 38-7 to PSJA and 20-13 to PSJA Memorial.

Read more: Big Six Football: Local schools look to build momentum in Week 2