McAllen Rowe notched a huge win in The Monitor’s Game of the Week against Mercedes in Week 2, but the team also suffered a big loss.
Junior wideout David Savage — the team’s leading receiver with six catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns — injured his left ankle midway through the second quarter after he laid out for a deep pass and a Mercedes defensive back landed awkwardly on his leg.
Savage was held out the rest of the contest and was spotted with crutches on the Warriors’ sideline. He has been wearing a walking boot since then while awaiting further medical evaluation.
Expect some fresh faces to fill new roles in the passing game for Rowe during his absence. A trio of backs — Joey Partida (48 receiving yards), Alex Anzaldua (37 yards) and Lorenzo Lopez (34 yard, TD) — have proven to be effective pass catchers and could slide around to different spots on the field.
Junior tight end Gustavo Cruz will likely fill the void as the Warriors’ primary pass catcher for now after tallying four catches for 58 yards, and a touchdown against Weslaco High in Week 1. But don’t be surprised to see some defensive players start to take offensive reps as well.
Linebackers Josiah Alonzo and Derek Luna and defensive back James Gamez all filled in for Rowe during the second half of the team’s Week 2 victory and each have multiple catches on the season already.
MISSION HIGH MANHANDLING COMPETITION
The Mission High Eagles have been on a tear to start the season and look to be on of the early favorites to emerge as district champions.
In two weeks against Mission Veterans and Donna North, the Eagles have outscored their opponents 92-8. They’re one of just two teams so far two have scored 90 or more points and one of two squads that have surrendered less than 20.
Mission’s offense has put up staggering numbers in the early going. Six different players have found the end zone already this, not including sophomore quarterback Jeremy Duran who has completed 21-of-32 passes for 430 yards and four touchdowns through the air.
The Eagles’ defense has been nothing short of lights out, either. The unit has allowed an average of 97 yards per game, making it the only defense in 30-6A to have surrendered fewer than 200 total yards of offense. Mission’s defense has also held opponents to a 2-for-28 (7.1%) conversion rate on third and fourth downs, which also tops the district.
BEARS OFFENSE OFF AND RUNNING
After facing some struggles along the offensive line that limited its high-flying offense in Week 1, PSJA High responded in a big way thrashing Corpus Christi King 52-14 on the road in Week 2.
Head coach Lupe Rodriguez and his coaching staff juggled players around on the line — trying some players at different positions and injecting a few new starters — that paid huge dividends for the Bears’ offensive production.
Senior quarterback Justin Morales threw for 436 yards, four touchdowns and an interception on 31-of-51 passing, which marks nearly more than double his total pass attempts against Flour Bluff in the season opener.
He hit four different teammates — running back JR Vasquez and receivers Ethan Castillo, Miguel Flores and Marco Guajardo — on his four touchdown throws.
The Bears also tallied 216 rushing yards on a collective 24 carries. It’s the first time PSJA High has rushed for 9 or more yards per carry in the Rodriguez era.