KEVIN LU | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela ran all over Roma en route to a 49-10 win Friday night at Cats Stadium.
Vela (5-1, 1-1 31-5A) got all the offense it needed from its two-headed rushing attack. Sophomore Robert Guerra ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns in the first half; he finished with a game-high 196 yards. Senior Anthony Arredondo ran for 98 yards and three touchdowns in the second half; his total was 124 yards.
It was all against a defense that, statistically, is the best in the Valley.
“We stayed with the hot hand while they were in there,” Vela coachMichael Salinas said of the split in carries. “They got us all the way down there, so we let them get us in the end zone.”
Vela scored on its opening possession as Guerra’s 11-yard score capped an eight-play, 66-yard drive. The rushing attack helped Vela sustain long drives all game. With the score tied at 7, the SaberCats finished a 70-yard drive with another 11-yard touchdown by Guerra.
Vela’s next possession began at the Roma 14 and ended with a Guerra 1-yard touchdown. The SaberCats took a 21-10 lead into halftime.
Roma (3-2-1, 1-1) got on the board following an interception by defensive back Juan Pena. Roman Espinoza’s 6-yard touchdown run capped a nine-play, 81 yard drive that tied the game at 7. Espinoza had a team-high 115 rushing yards to go with the one touchdown.
“Defensively, our kids knew they had to stop the run,” Salinas said. “They did a good job tonight, holding these kids to 10 points.”