By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
The Rivera Raiders are running like a well-oiled machine.
After jumping out to a hot start against the Hanna Golden Eagles, the Raiders won 36-0 behind five touchdowns from quarterback Danny Elizondo on Saturday night at Sams Memorial Stadium.
The win extends the Raiders’ winning streak to four games, earning them a chance to play for a share of the District 32-6A title next week against San Benito.
“This was a big win,” Rivera coach Tom Chavez said. “Our boys got us here. We struggled in the beginning (of the season), but we kept hanging in there. Now we’ve got a big chance against San Benitonext week.”
The tone of this game was set early. After Elizondo ran 8 yards to cap a 10-play opening drive, Hanna (3-5, 2-4) botched the ensuing kick return, giving Rivera (4-5, 4-2) prime field position.
Elizondo quickly ran the ball into the end zone again, and the Raiders led 15-0 before the Eagles took their first offensive snap.
The Eagles’ Lucas Olivares — one of the district’s top receivers — injured his ankle early in the game and was unable to return. His absence only added to a night in which nothing seemed to go Hanna’s way.
“We came out flat, but (Rivera) played well,” Hanna coach Rene Medrano said. “Obviously the game plan changed after we lost our best receiver. We tried to piece it together, but when that happens other people have to step up, and we didn’t step up tonight.”
The remainder of the first half, and the game, was the Danny Elizondo Show. He found Edward Rubio from 19 yards out to round out the first quarter, and came right back to open the second quarter with his fourth touchdown of the night on a 1-yard sneak.
Elizondo added his fifth and final touchdown the night during the third quarter with a 3-yard pass to Sammy Orive.
The Raiders’ district-leading defense also put together another strong performance. Two interceptions by Edward Velasquez and a fumble recovery by Bryan Gonzalez aided Rivera in its shutout of the Eagles.
Rivera will travel to San Benitoto play the Greyhounds at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, and the Eagles play host to the Los Fresnos Falcons at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Sams Memorial Stadium.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.