By Mike Gonzalez | STAFF WRITER
DONNA — In time the “Battle at the reservation” may be more exciting than its first edition in which Donna High defeated Donna North 56-14 on Friday at Bennie La Prade Stadium.
One day, the annual matchup between the Donna ISD schools will be for a playoff spot or a district title. On Friday the Redskins did what they were supposed to do and that was dominate the Chiefs in every phase of the game.
Donna didn’t officially secure a playoff spot but are in third place, one game ahead of PSJA High and PSJA Southwest. If the Redskins lose to Edcouch-Elsa next week a positive points tiebreaker would come into affect. The Redskins (4-2 District 32-5A, 5-3 overall) can avoid that mess if they simply win next week or if Southwest loses.
In Friday’s game, Donna’s lineman on both sides of the ball controlled the game. Riding behind the massive and strong offensive line of Brandon Cardenas, Jonathan Grimaldo, Bernie Salas and Troy Billman, the ’Skins rushed for 503 yards led by Mike Tamez’s 186 and Paul Guerra’s 174 along with young sophomore Edson Alvarado, who put up 107 in mop-up time of the second half.
It marked the second-straight week Donna has had three backs rush for more than 100 yards in a game. The philosophy has been simple — ride the offensive line while the backs just follow. The result is a three-game winning-streak.
For Cardenas, the night couldn’t have been written better. The senior had plenty of pancakes, his squad won the first battle and was also named homecoming king at halftime.
“I think we’re clicking at a perfect time,” Cardenas said. “I feel like we’ve got a lot of momentum.”
The points came quickly as Guerra scored on a 64-yard scamper on the first play from scrimmage for a 7-0 lead.
Then the defense took the spotlight. Efrain Tijerina’s 23-yard interception return put Donna up 14-0. After another interception, Guerra scored from 57 yards out and later added a three-yarder and it was 28-0 by the end of the first quarter. Quarterback Edward Dougherty entered the game as the squad’s leading rusher and was third in district, but as of late Guerra has come on strong, providing another weapon in the offense.
“It’s mostly all the (offensive) line,” Guerra said. “It’s real awesome to play with this line. Without them, I’m nothing.”
Donna North (0-6, 0-9) came out with a lot of emotion, but was fighting an uphill battle. The young squad had some flashes. Sophomore quarterback Manny Ramirez connected on passes down the field, but had four interceptions. The team had six turnovers overall.
The Chiefs’ one memorable hightlight was a halfback pass from Julius Diaz to Arturo Marroquin, who made a remarkable juggling catch for the squad’s first score in the second quarter.
“Everybody has a dream to make the playoffs and win a district title, “North coach Tommy Sauceda said. “But right now, it’s about our next game with PSJA Bears and end the season on a good note.”