KRISTIAN LIMAS | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
EDINBURG — For the second week in a row the Edinburg North Cougars needed a field goal to deliver them a victory as the Cougars defeated Brownsville Rivera 24-21 in overtime Thursday at Cats Stadium.
Diego Sanchez made a 49-yard field goal at the end of overtime to help North avoid the upset. Sanchez kick the game-winning field goal against Los Fresnos last week as well.
“It’s scary, I have a lot of pressure on me and my team depends on me,” Sanchez said. “I’m lucky that I have their trust to go out there and get the win.”
Early on, it looked as if the game would be a shootout with each team scoring on their opening drives. Rivera marched down the field on a 20 play drive capped by a Danny Elizondo 1-yard sneak to make it 7-0.
The Cougars answered right as Martin Rodriguez found Michael Cantu on a 76-yard touchdown pass to it at 7.
Rodriguez was 13-of-21 passing for 246 yards. It was an impressive performance despite having to play with an injured ankle.
“I tell you what he showed up tonight,” Cougars coach Rene Saenz said. “He’s been working that sprained ankle all week but he got his treatment, put on the pads, and played tough especially considering he had to get rid of the ball fast all night.”
Rivera took the lead midway through the second quarter off a nine-play drive. Rivera quarterback Danny Elizondo connected on a 50-yard pass to Sammy Orive to get the Raiders down the field and let Edward Rubio cap off the drive with a 2-yard run to make it 14-7.
Edinburg North answered before the end of the half when Rodriguez found Frank Zeferino in the end zone to tie the game at 14.
The Cougars, on their second drive of the half, again got their spark off a big pass from Rodriguez, who hooked up with Cantu once more on a 68-yard bomb. Matt Whitesides scored from four yards out.
Rivera answered with a 12-play drive to tie it at 21.
Overtime came down to the kickers with Rivera’s Chelin Martinez failing to make an attempt after a bad snap. With the door open, Sanchez connected on a 49-yard attempt.
“That’s Texas football, Rivera came out here to win,” Saenz said. “We made some plays and I’m glad we did but we still have some growing up to do.”