Sharyland Times

08/29/2026

The Sharyland Rattlers scored 43 points as an offense but it wasn’t enough to outlast the McAllen Memorial Mustangs as they fell 55-43 tonight in a shootout at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.

For the Mustangs, their rushing attack was nigh unstoppable, rushing for 527 yards in the first half alone. Senior RB’s Braxton Speights (4 TDs) and Oscar Jasso (3 TDs) both found the end zone multiple times tonight.

Wide receiver Austelio Mendoza made his varsity debut tonight as a sophomore, and had a 36-yard touchdown catch to make it a one-possession game late in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a different feeling starting JV and [starting] now,” Mendoza told the Progress Times after the game. “We just gotta keep pushing and working [next week].”

Rattlers’ head coach Craig Krell spoke with the Progress Times after the game, stating that the Mustangs “caused us some problems” tonight.

“Offensively, I thought we moved the ball well,” Krell said. “I thought we shot ourselves in the foot a few times… We gotta look at where to improve and make sure that we’re working on it hard.”

After winning the opening toss and receiving, the Rattlers established the run early, with Alaniz recording three runs, a catch and converting two first downs. The opening drive ended on a long Francisco Gomez touchdown catch.

Memorial responded with a touchdown of its own on its opening drive. Aided by a powerful running game, it was ultimately Speights who ran into the end zone. Game tied 7-7 after the extra point.

The Mustangs forced a mid-field stop the following drive. A special teams error by Sharyland placed the ball inside the five-yard line, with Speights running in for an easy six to give McAllen-Memorial a 14-7 lead in the first quarter.

The second quarter began much the same way the first ended. The Rattlers did not get past midfield. Once the Mustangs got the ball, Speights broke out for an 80-yard touchdown run to put Memorial up 20-7. Extra point, was no good.

Sharyland brought themselves right back into the game. Aided by great running from Alaniz, the Rattlers marched up and later scored on a QB scramble by Taylor. After a blocked field goal, it remained a one possession game, 20-13 Mustangs.

The Rattlers later suffered another gut punch on the ground the next drive. This time it was Jasso who ran it long into the end zone, his first of the season. The field goal was good, putting the Mustangs up 27-13.

Sharyland brought it to a six point game after Alaniz scored his first touchdown of the night from the outer edge of the red zone. Taylor later ran it in off the sneak for a two-point conversion. The first half ended with Memorial up 27-21.

Unable to do anything with their opening possession, the Rattlers failed to convert on fourth down in Memorial territory. After getting the ball back, the Mustangs ground game picked up where they left off. Jasso ran 49 yards to the end zone. Speights picked up the 2-point conversion to extend Memorial’s lead 35-21.

Alaniz then brought it right back to within a touchdown by way of a 58-yard touchdown rush, his second of the game. The extra point was good, making it 35-28 Mustangs.

The third quarter ended with some defensive chaos. The Mustangs fumbled the ball, putting the Rattlers into the end zone. Later, Taylor threw an interception which senior DB Jason Martinez returned to Memorial’s 29.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Speights ran into the end zone for what appeared to be his fourth touchdown of the game. It was overturned after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The Mustangs eventually scored on a trick play, as junior WR Vicente Valdez would run it in and extend Memorial’s lead 42-28 after the extra point. The Rattlers hit back and made it 42-35 after Taylor threw a 53 yard TD pass to Oscar Cantu.

Speights would eventually get his fourth touchdown of the game, rushing five yards to extend the Mustangs’ lead 49-35. Mendoza’s debut touchdown brought it to a one score game again.

Eventually, the Mustang’s galloped back into the end zone, this time with Jasso’s third rushing TD of the game. The game ended in a 55-43 victory for McAllen Memorial.

The Rattler’s will face off against McAllen High at home on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Here are some photos from tonight's game. To view more, click here:

https://progresstimes.smugmug.com/Sports/Sharyland/August-28-2026-Football-SHS-McMemorial-JV

Progress Times photos by Joe Vela.

06/09/2026

Photos from the Sharyland Rattlers' 5A DII Baseball State Championship game versus Lucas Lovejoy are now available for viewing in our SmugMug Gallery. There are plenty of action photos from the game as well as photos of the Rattlers' coaches and of fans in the stands. Be sure to check them out by clicking here:

https://progresstimes.smugmug.com/Sports/Sharyland/April-6-2026-Baseball-Sharyland-vs-LucasLovejoy-AG

Progress Times photos by Alex Garza.

Your hometown newspaper serving Mission and Western Hidalgo County since 1972   The Progress Times is the hometown newspaper for the local communities of Mission, Sharyland, Alton, Palmview, La Joya and surrounding areas in Western Hidalgo County. We have a staff of veteran reporters who work dilig...

06/06/2026

The Sharyland Rattlers came up short this morning from becoming the first baseball team from the Rio Grande Valley to claim a state title, losing the UIL Class 5A D2 title game 7 - 2 to Lucas Lovejoy at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Lovejoy scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st, added two more in the 4th and one each in the 5th and 6th to earn their first state title. Lovejoy finished with nine hits on the day. Tyler Scarborough pitched a complete game for the winners.

Sharyland got on the board with single runs in the 2nd and the 6th thanks to run scoring hits from Diego Chapa and IJ Garza. Chapa had another hit in the 5th. Luis Balderas, Edgar Quintanilla and Omar Cantu also recorded hits.

Sergio Ibarra pitched 4 plus innings for the Rattlers before Milo Villarreal came on in the bottom of the 5th.

Despite the loss both Ibarra and Coach Austin Bickerton spoke on the experience of being the first Valley baseball team since 2007 to reach the title game.

“I’m thankful for the experience” , said Ibarra. “It was an amazing experience to be here.”

Bickerton had similar feelings and added how the support shown by both the Sharyland faithful and others from the Valley who came to watch affected him. “It was awesome . . . just the support from the Rio Grande Valley I couldn’t be more proud of where I’m from.”

The Rattlers finished the season with a record of 38 -6, taking the storied program to the state title game for the first time in school history.

Here are some photos from today's game.

Progress Times photos by Alex Garza.

06/06/2026

Latest game update with tomorrow’s schedule from the UIL:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EvLbGmQpA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Due to inclement weather, the 5A-D2 baseball championship game originally scheduled for 7pm Friday will be postponed to Saturday. The currently planned schedule for Saturday, June 6th is:
9am – 5A-D2 Lucas Lovejoy vs. Mission Sharyland
12pm – 1A Gordon vs Groveton Centerville
3pm – 6A-D1 Austin Lake Travis vs Keller
6pm – 6A-D2 Tomball vs Houston Memorial

All games will be played at Dell Diamond. Tickets and parking for the 5A-D2 game will be honored on Saturday but are non-refundable.

This plan is contingent on overnight weather patterns. Continue to monitor our social media for more information as it comes available.

06/06/2026

UPDATE: Sharyland vs. Lovejoy state championship game rescheduled for tomorrow morning following a weather-filled day, pushing back tonight's highly anticipated matchup until tomorrow morning.

06/05/2026

Here’s the latest update on the Rattlers’ game.

06/05/2026

Rattler fans be careful on the road. If you’re thinking you might be late, slow down. Game time is now scheduled for 7 p.m.

06/05/2026

IT’S GAME DAY!!!

The Sharyland Rattlers face off against Lucas Lovejoy tonight at Dell Diamond in Round Rock tonight at 7 pm for the UIL Class 5A D2 State Title. Can the Rattlers become the first prep baseball team from the RGV to bring back a state title or will Lovejoy claim one after falling just short in 2024?

The Leopards come in with a 33-6-1 record (10-1in the postseason). The Rattlers are 38-5 (10-2). Lovejoy has scored 67 runs this postseason while conceding just 22. Sharyland has plated 72 and given up 35.

Lovejoy is led by senior pitchers Tyler Scarborough (46 K’s this postseason) and Logan Corley (43 K’s). Juniors Lucas Smith and Brady Sommers have recorded 18 and 17 hits respectively during the team’s 11 playoff games.

Sophomore Emilio Villarreal has struck out 31 batters for the Rattlers during the postseason with an impressive 0.79 ERA. Nick Valdez (Sr.) and Luis Balderas (Jr.) have each recorded 17 hits so far in the Rattlers 12 postseason contests. Senior Santiago Soto has 16 along with 12 RBI’s.

It’s a one game winner-take-all showdown so expect the unexpected and don’t forget to keep checking in throughout the day today and tonight on either of our pages, Progress Times or Sharyland Times, as we bring you live updates from the park as well as photos and a game recap afterwards.

Also, be sure to pick up a copy or two of today’s Progress Times newspaper as we feature the Rattlers and their historic playoff run. This includes a story in which we feature the Rattlers’ assistant coaches, a story in which legendary RGV coaches Eliseo P***a, Manuel “Ricky” Garcia and Richard “Dickie” Thompson share their thoughts about the Rattlers’ unprecedented success and a story recapping last week’s impressive sweep of Kingwood Park and previewing tonight’s State Championship game against Lucas Lovejoy.

Free copies are available at area banks and libraries, Whataburgers, El Patos, Mission Hospital, Ranch House Burgers and at the Progress Times office located at 1217 N. Conway Ave. in Mission.

GO RATTLERS!!!

(Information and statistics are from the UIL and Texas High School Baseball.)

Progress Times photos by Tricia Darcy.

06/05/2026

Team work makes the dream work. Let the Rattlers know why you’re a fan and share a personal message to your favorite player or players by commenting here. Be sure to tag your friends. Go Rattlers!!!

06/04/2026

Get ready for an electrifying showdown at the upcoming state championship baseball game! The unstoppable Sharyland Rattlers will clash with the determined Lucas Lovejoy team in Round Rock on Friday evening. Stay tuned for thrilling updates, captivating photos, and play-by-play coverage. For now, take a moment to relive the excitement of last week's game with a few unforgettable shots. Go Big Red!

Your hometown newspaper serving Mission and Western Hidalgo County since 1972 The Progress Times is the hometown newspaper for the local communities of Mission, Sharyland, Alton, Palmview, La Joya and surrounding areas in Western Hidalgo County. We have a staff of veteran reporters who work dilig....