By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Within a moment’s notice, Manny Campos can go from leading the Sharyland High rushing attack to leading their offense entirely.
It’s happened in every game this season, to varying degrees, though none was bigger than Friday. With the Rattlers’ playoff hopes on the line, coach Ron Adame plugged in Campos, and the move paid dividends. The senior led two scoring drives, including an insurance touchdown inside of two minutes to play, as Sharyland High beat Sharyland Pioneer 19-10 at Richard Thompson Stadium.
With starting quarterback Seth Carter gassed, Adame plucked in Campos, who advanced the Rattlers to within field-goal range before halftime. Sharyland hung on to that 13-10 lead until Campos connected with Carter on a 29-yard strike that move the Rattlers (4-4, 2-2) to the .500 mark with two games left in the regular season.
“Me and Seth, we’re a deadly duo,” Campos said, smiling. “We’re the (only two) returning starters (on offense), so we try to connect as much as possible.
“We’re great teammates and we’re great friends, and we try to put that on the field, as well.”
Coming off an 18-7 loss to Roma in Week 8, Sharyland desperately needed a win to keep alive its playoffs hopes against Pioneer (6-3, 2-3). The Diamondbacks were in a similar situation, given it has only one district game left. But if it beats Roma next week, Pioneer could keep alive its hopes.
“Every game from here on in is huge,” Adame said. “Like we told our boys, the reality of our situation is that from here on in, this is our playoffs. We started with three games remaining in our season, and we can’t afford to have any hiccups. So we’re just fortunate that we got the ‘W’ tonight.”
Sharyland hadn’t lost consecutive district games since Oct. 26, 2008, when they finished with a 2-4 record in district and 5-5 overall. But in winning Friday, the Rattlers remained in the running for their eighth consecutive playoff berth.
They did it with Manny Campos completing 13 of 19 passes for 152 yards in two and a half quarters of play. He led a nine-play scoring sequence with 1:54 remaining in the half, moving the Rattlers from the 22-yard line to opposing 2, before converting a field goal as time expired.
After two lackluster quarters, filled with penalties, Campos helped pad their lead when he found Carter with 1:46 to play.
Carter, who completed 4 of 10 passes for 68 yards and an interception, had 35 yards in the air and 48 on the ground to hand Pioneer its third consecutive district loss.
CONTINUED GROWTH
A year ago, Pioneer lost to Sharyland 58-6. In closing the gap Friday, Diamondbacks coach Jason Wheeler took solace in the Rattlers’ approach with the margin close. Sharyland went for a field goal as the half expired, giving them a much-needed 13-10 cushion.
“With them kicking a field goal (to take the lead), I don’t think they would’ve done that last year,” Wheeler said, laughing. “They would’ve punched it in. So I told the kids, we have the respect (from the Rattlers). Now we just have to find a way to win the second half.”
Freshman Jacob Rosales, starting his first game under center, completed 13 of 21 passes for 136 yards, while splitting time with Tyler Bulthuis (4 of 8 for 32 yards). Rosales scored on a 10-yard run before the Diamondbacks converted a field goal to even it at 10 with 1:54 left in the second quarter.
But the Diamondbacks, playing without starting QB Alejandro Ramirez (torn ACL, MCL), struggled to score the rest of the way as Sharyland controlled possession.
UP NEXT
Sharyland Pioneer will close out district against Roma next week. Sharyland has two games remaining, against Valley View (0-8, 0-4) and Rio Grande City (3-5, 1-3),