Has any team played a tougher non-district schedule than Waco La Vega?
Coach Don Hyde’s Pirates, who entered the season as the top-ranked team in 4A, Division I, rebuilt and already difficult schedule and made it even tougher when the pandemic changed things.
Where most teams may schedule themselves one non-district game against a ranked team before playing the games that determine playoff positioning, La Vega’s opening the season against four teams ranked in their respective top 10s, and doing with just one game in the friendly confines of Willie Williams Field. Stephenville, the week 5 opponent, started the season ranked No. 11.
When area health officials gave the okay to play, La Vega had to replace two opponents from its original schedule who couldn’t play on the original dates – Dumas, No. 8 in the DCTF preseason rankings, and Austin LBJ, No. 13. Hyde wasted no time finding games with teams as good or better – at least according to the rankings.
Instead of opening with Dumas, the Pirates traveled to Bastrop and beat 5th-ranked Port Lavaca Calhoun, then returned home to beat Waco Connally, ranked seventh in 4A, Division II. Instead of hosting Austin LBJ (preseason No. 13), La Vega headed south for another neutral site game in San Marcos against preseason No. 4 Calallen.
In winning the first three games, La Vega’s been sound on defense and has done just enough on offense to prevail, winning by an average score of 18-10.
This week the test gets a little tougher as La Vega renews its rivalry with current No. 1 ranked Argyle. The teams have met twice in each of the last two seasons with Argyle winning the regular season meeting only to see La Vega win the playoff game.
Argyle’s played a tough schedule itself as well. Friday will mark Argyle’s second 1vs2 matchup of the season. The Eagles have already played Texarkana Pleasant Grove, which was ranked No. 1 in 4A, Division 2 at the time.
Original Schedule
Dumas 4A-1 No. 8 in preseason rankings
Waco Connally 4A-2 No. 15
Austin LBJ 4A-1 No. 13
Argyle 4A-1 No. 2
WF Rider 5A-2 No. 6
New Schedule
Preseason rank (current rank)
PL Calhoun 4A-1 No. 5 (8)
Waco Connally 4A-2 No. 15 (7)
Calallen 4A-1 No. 4 (7)
Argyle 4A-1 No. 2 (1)
Stephenville 4A-1 No. 11 (NR)
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