RGVSPORTS.COM
For the first time in the program’s history, Mission Veterans Memorial recorded a win in the 7-on-7 state tournament on Friday.
Unfortunately for the Patriots, that momentum didn’t carry over into the rest of their games at College Station.
Mission Veterans beat Plano East 39-26 before losing to Katy 37-31 and Belton 25-19. As a result, the Patriots move into the consolation bracket, where they could play as many as five games today in trying to vie for the consolation trophy.
“I’m really proud of the guys,” quarterback Diego Hernandez said. “We stuck together and we played as a team. But we’re not necessarily satisfied.”
Hernandez was impressive in his debut in the 7-on-7 state tournament, scoring on his first six drives of the opening game. The junior, who is expected to start at quarterback this season, helped put an end to the Patriots’ stalemate at state, after the team went 0-4 in its first trip last year.
Mission Veterans needed only one other win Friday to move into the championship bracket today, but fell short after a couple of late gaffes in the latter two games.
Roland De Leon, who is coaching the Mission Vets 7-on-7 team this summer, said the team lost track of time down the stretch in the loss to Katy. The Patriots were moving into the red zone inside of two minutes to play, and got near the goal line before the buzzer sounded, ending any chance of forcing overtime.
“It was a killer loss, but that’s the way it goes,” he said.
The game came down to the wire against Belton, as well. Both teams traded touchdowns the whole way through, until Belton scored on a short pass after time had expired, moving Mission Vets into the consolation bracket.
“That was devastating,” De Leon said. “But like I told the boys, we played Katy — they’re a powerhouse — and we went toe-to-toe against them. Nothing to be ashamed about, scoring 31 points.
“It’s a good feeling to see what’s coming up in the fall (for Mission Vets). All in all, the boys played like a team. We’re going to refocus tonight and get after it tomorrow.”
Edcouch-Elsa went 0-3 in opening state play Friday. The Yellowjackets fell to Cy-Falls 57-40, College Station 33-32 in overtime, and Cedar Hill 46-26.
The Yellowjackets were dealt a blow when receiver J.J. Flores, who scored five touchdowns through the first game and midway through the second, suffered an injury during the game against College Station.
“The competition was good,” 7-on-7 assistant coach Isaias Martinez said. “We played some of the toughest teams in the tournament and a good look at teams that go to state, like Cy-Falls and Cedar Hill. Our guys gave their all and they didn’t back down or give up.”
Other standouts included receiver A.J. Rodriguez and outside linebacker Rigo Ayala.
Edcouch-Elsa, like Mission Veterans Memorial, is headed to the consolation bracket today. Despite losing their first two games, the Yellowjackets still had a chance to make the championship bracket if it scored at least 45 points in a win over Cedar Hill and Cy-Falls lost.
Instead, Edcouch-Elsa will play Round Rock McNeil at 8 a.m. today. A loss ends its stay at state.
“This is this team’s first time coming up here and it was amazing,” Martinez said. “Just the experience means a lot. The score doesn’t indicate how well we really played against some top teams.”
After going 0-3 in its opening day of the state tournament on Thursday, Hidalgo lost to Clyde 54-26 on Friday morning to close its stay at the state tournament.