The 2019 Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks football team entered the season focused on unfinished business. They even had the letters D – U – B printed on the backs of their practice gear to remind them. The letters stand for “Diamondbacks Unfinished Business”, a reference to the way their 2018 campaign went.
The 2018 season, in particular two games from last year stand out. A one point, last play loss to Sharyland in a game that eventually determined the District 16-5A Div. II championship and another one point defeat in the bi-district round of the playoffs to Port Lavaca Calhoun which ended their season.
A large group of returning players was there to greet Lee when Pioneer opened their fall workouts and expectations were high for a big year.
Another one point loss, to Harlingen High, to open 2019 might have had some of the Diamondbacks faithful wondering if they were snake bit.
“That game was a learning experience,” said Lee. The team has certainly responded. For the last nine games, the Diamondbacks have been T – C – B. That’s “Taking Care of Business” for those of you who have never heard of Elvis.
The numbers since the Harlingen loss are impressive. The Diamondbacks have scored an averaged 51 points a game and have allowed only 24 per game. That’s an average victory margin of 27 per game.
Of course what really matters has been the results. Nine straight wins following the season opener has led to a few of the unfinished business boxes from 2018 checked for 2019. A win over Sharyland in the Snakeskin Classic took care of one item and the Diamondbacks 48-36 over Edcouch-Elsa last week took care of another: an outright district championship for the first time in school history.
Lee sees the results as a tribute to the kids for their efforts and to the coaches for getting those kids in the right situations to be successful.
Next on the list, if completed, will be another first for Pioneer. Since the school opened in 2014 the Diamondbacks have now been in the postseason five straight years but have no victories to show for it. Lee cited a playoff win as the team’s main goal in 2019.
Getting it will not be easy. San Antonio Southside (7-3), finished fourth in District 15-5A Div. II, but according to Lee could be a district champion in many other districts. The Cardinals come into town tonight with a four year playoff streak of their own and have won three of their last four this year.
“We’ve got a big task ... Click here to read full article
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