Lake View Begins Pursuit of First District Title in 21 Years at Pecos

PECOS, TX — The Lake View Chiefs will begin their pursuit of their first district title in 21 years when they travel to play the Pecos Eagles at 7 p.m. Thursday.

While district play is just starting for the Chiefs, they have proven this year is different. The Pride of the Northside started off the season on fire, winning four straight to open the year. They did drop two in a row in closes losses to Levelland and Burnet but followed it up with a convincing win over the Brownfield Cubs before resting on a much-needed bye week.

This year, District 3-4A Division I could be theirs for the taking. Andrews is usually the “big bad” team, but the Mustangs are having a down season and are 2-5. Do not let the record fool you, however. The Mustangs have lost to Canyon (4-3), Midland Greenwood (7-0), Wichita Falls Memorial (5-2), Lubbock Estacado (6-2), and Bushland (3-4).

Big Spring is second in this district right now at (4-2-1).

One game at a time. Because if the Chiefs take care of business this Thursday, they’ll do something else that hasn’t been done in the last 21 seasons — finish with a winning record.

Pecos (3-4) has done most of its damage on the ground, putting up 1,522 yards. Through the air, the Eagles seem to have trouble getting off the ground. Michael Garcia has gone 37-of-61 for 368 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Defensively, Pecos has five sacks and eight interceptions. Juan Ornelas is someone the Chiefs will have to watch. He currently has racked up 22 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three sacks and one fumble recovery. Mateo Fernandez has picked off opposing quarterbacks three times and has forced one fumble. Joel Aguilar is Fernandez’s counterpart in the secondary with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

As for the Pride of the Northside, Chris Alvizo is getting it done at quarterback. So far, Alvizo is 165-of-234 for 1,889 yards with 25 TDs and six interceptions. His rushing numbers leave a little to be desired, but why have your quarterback take unnecessary hits when Izaiah Rios is the running back?

Rios has been great with 104 carries for 1,005 yards (a 9.7-yard per carry average) and has crossed the goal line 14 times this season.

The Chiefs receivers have been eating well this year as Lake View has eight with over 100 yards, and they all have at least a touchdown. Braylon White has been the main pass catcher with 39 receptions for 515 yards and eight TDs. Nick Leyva is second in yards with 392 yards and two scores, while Chris Rodela is second in receptions with 30 for 248 yards and five scores.

The Lake View defense needs to hold the Eagles out of the end zone and preferably force three-and-outs. The War Party has had trouble keeping opposing offenses from turning the game into a track meet. Since they played Lubbock, the Chiefs have given up 49 (Lubbock), 33 (Levelland), 36 (Burnet), and 26 (Brownfield). In their first three games, they held Fort Stockton to seven points, Snyder to 28, and Lamesa to 27.

Scoring hasn’t been an issue with the Chiefs this year as they average 44.6 points a game.

Conner Williams leads the team in tackles with 44 and is closing followed by Isaac Monreal with 43. Williams also leads the Chiefs in sacks with four of the team’s nine.

Three players, DJ Munoz, Kentrell Johnson and Roman Garcia have two interceptions each and Monreal, White, and Cristian Esparza all have one each.

The Chiefs don’t need to worry about winning district. That won’t happen in their first district game. Let’s not even worry about “the first winning season in 21 years." They just need to focus on the Pecos Eagles, playing Lake View football, and beating them.

One game at a time.