By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Hanna got its offense going when it needed to, and the defense did the rest.
Hanna quarterback Andy Lopez threw three touchdown passes and the defense bothered Edinburg Economedes for four quarters in the Golden Eagles’ 21-14 victory over the Jaguars on Saturday in Week 1 at Sams Memorial Stadium.
“It was a big win,” Hanna coach Rene Medrano said. “(The defense) stepped up in the second half when we needed them, they didn’t bend in the first half, they kept us right there. We told (the offense) we were just a couple plays away from getting scores.
“We came back in the second half and scored on our first drive, and that was the difference right there.”
Lopez completed 19 of 33 passes for 237 yards and the three scores.
Economedes had plenty of backs to aid their rushing attack but only managed 101 yards on the ground as the Hanna defense stepped up early and often, getting stops on three drives on fourth down plays in the first half. The unit continued to step up during the second half with timely sacks and constant pressure.
“You have to give credit to the Hanna defense,” Edinburg Economedes coach Gabe Pena said. “They stopped us from really getting into any type of rhythm offensively, and that’s the difference in the ball game right there. We rely on that. Our style of football we need to get into that rhythm, and we just weren’t able to do it.”
Hanna got on the board first. Midway through the first quarter, Lopez hit receiver Jorge Cisneros on an 11-yard strike for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Economedes answered, scoring with less than one minute left in the quarter. Quarterback Jesse Gonzalez connected with Michael Medellin on a 25-yard touchdown pass to even the game at 7.
The teams traded possessions during the second quarter, but the game remained tied at 7 at the half.
In the third quarter, Lopez hit Joe Cavazos for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 14-7 lead.
On the ensuing Economedes drive, Matthew Garcia intercepted a Gonzalez pass to give Hanna the ball right back. But this time, the Eagles were forced to punt after Lopez was sacked for a huge loss. After a short punt gave Economedes good field position, the Jaguars didn’t waste the opportunity.
Medellin scored his second touchdown of the game, this one on the ground from 5 yards out to even the game at 14 in the third.
During the fourth quarter, once again the Eagles’ defense made the difference and gave the offense excellent field position. Lopez made it count, as he connected with Reshawn Rivera for a 6-yard touchdown to give Hanna a 21-14 lead.
That proved to be the game-winner.
“It’s a tough one, it’s disappointing. But I was proud of our boys’ effort, that’s all a coach can ask for to start the season,” Pena said. “You have to be able to run the football to win ballgames. The battle up front went their way. The battle on the line of scrimmage just went their way.
“I’m proud of the attitude, the effort and I’m confident we’ll come back Monday and improve.”
Medrano was proud of the way his defense played in the opener.
“The defense came up with the plays when they needed to. That was big, that was really big,” he said. “They made the plays when they had to (Saturday), so that’s what’s important.
“We’ll enjoy it (Saturday) and see what happens next week.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.