RGVSports.com
Justin Guerra scored on a 32-yard run late to help Edinburg North pull out its first win of the season 28-18 against PSJA Southwest on Thursday in Edinburg.
Guerra shouldered the rushing load for the Cougars (1-4, 1-1 in district), which had lost their first three non-district games in addition to their 31-6A opener against Edinburg Vela last week. Guerra had a couple big runs Thursday, including a carry for 50 yards on a reverse.
What’s more, the Cougars won without starting quarterback Cristian Espinoza, who was recovering from a concussion. He is expected back next week against PSJA North. In his absence, sophomore Frankie Zuniga stepped up with a couple of big third-down completions.
“It’s a big one, and I’ll tell you why,” Edinburg North coach Rene Saenz said. “We felt like we should’ve won a couple of those games. You don’t want to get to a point where the kids are pressing or thinking, ‘Here we go again,’ especially with it being close in the fourth quarter (21-18). But they got together, hung in and pulled it out.”
EDINBURG ECONOMEDES 42, PSJA MEMORIAL 6: At Pharr, the Jaguars bounced back from a loss to Edinburg High in Week 5 with a win against the Wolverines.
Econ (4-1, 1-1 in district) gave up two field goals on the night, leading 28-3 at halftime.
PSJA Memorial (0-5, 0-2) remained winless on the year.
DISTRICT 32-5A
BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ 31, DONNA NORTH 0: At Donna, the Chiefs were shut out for the second time in three games, falling to 0-2 in district play and 1-4 overall.
Lopez improves to 4-1 and 2-0 in district games, having not lost since its season opener against Port Isabel.
NON-DISTRICT
McALLEN ROWE 28, GRULLA 7: At Rio Grande City, the Warriors took down the Gators to remain undefeated at 5-0 in their non-district finale.
Jesus Sanchez and Raudel Garcia converted long rushing touchdowns for Rowe, and Sanchez found Adrian Bernal and Mark Hernandez for scores through the air.
“We fought hard the whole way through,” Rowe coach Bobby Flores said. “We had to make some big plays, and we hit them at the right time. Defensively, we got some stops at the right times, and offensively, we got some key first downs at the right times.”
Flores said Rowe ran the ball well early to establish a 14-0 lead at halftime, then used play-action to extend the lead down the stretch. Facing a spread team for the first time, Rowe’s defense bent but didn’t break, Flores said.
The Warriors have won four consecutive games away from home.
“We did learn how to play on the road, and that’s important to us,” Flores said. “I think that was the No. 1 thing we got out of playing away.”