BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
MERCEDES — Mercedes senior defensive back Roel Garcia was visibly emotional. His demeanor was subdued as he held back tears.
Yes, he and his teammates had just clinched a share of the District 32-5A championship after a convincing 48-34 victory against PSJA Southwest on Friday night at Tiger Stadium. Yes, he became the school’s all-time interceptions leader on a 45-yard return for a touchdown late in the second quarter.
But Garcia wasn’t moved by statistics or records, but rather by a heavy sense of finality. Friday’s contest marked the last Tigers regular season game in the team’s current stadium, and the final time Garcia took the field with his friends in front of a home crowd.
“I’m just proud to be with them,” Garcia said. “I love them.”
Such affectionate words were permissible after the fact, but Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. preached a message of focus and resolve in the days leading up to the game.
“He told us it was just another game for us,” Garcia said. “District stuff doesn’t matter until the playoffs anyways.”
And so it was the Tigers (9-1, 7-0 District 32-5A) took care of business with ruthless efficiency. The offense racked up 514 total yards, scoring on each of its first three drives, and never punted.
Senior quarterback Rene Presas accounted for most of Mercedes’ potency, completing 14-of-32 attempts for 465 yards and five scores in addition to a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Many of Presas’ completions came on short screen passes that became huge runs downfield.
“We literally run at least 20 minutes of screens each practice,” Presas said. “Guys keep getting better, we have to keep pushing.”
Daniel Martinez, a junior, led the Tigers with 192 receiving yards on eight catches, including a touchdown. Senior wideout Joshua Garza hauled in a 19-yard score of his own, and finished with five receptions for 109 yards.
“We run an empty (set)” Garcia said. “It makes it hard for all the defenders to cover us, and we have enough line that gives (Presas) enough time to throw to us.”
Garcia, who plays both sides of the ball, had four catches for 74 yards.
But for all off the offensive firepower that was put on display, it was Garcia’s historic takeaway that stole the show.
After a tipped pass bounced off the hands of Southwest tight end Luis Gutierrez, Garcia intercepted the ball at the 45-yard-line, and displayed his athleticism on an acrobatic return that saw him leap-frogging defenders and spinning in midair.
“He’s a ball hawk,” Adame Jr. said. “He has a nose for the ball and he goes and gets it.”
ACOSTA EFFECTIVE IN LOSS
Javelinas running back Jesus Acosta was effective despite the loss.
The senior carried the ball 25 times for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns. However, the second half saw a more stingy Tigers defense, which allowed Acosta just 60 yards on the ground.
“(Mercedes) was just more aggressive on defense,” Southwest coach Jesus Reyes said.
The loss puts PSJA Southwest at 4-5 with a 3-3 mark in District 32-5A. Southwest needs a win against Brownsville Pace next week and a Donna High loss to Edcouch-Elsa to get into the playoffs.