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Down two scores with 8 minutes remaining in the third quarter, McAllen High’s hopes of qualifying for the postseason were over if they didn’t overcome La Joya Palmview. McHi did just that to pull off the 32-29 come-from-behind win on the road.
“It feels real good. We lost three in a row — a lot of frustration,” McHi coach Kevin Brewer said. “We just persevered and kept fighting and believing, and we finally got one in the win column.”
Gunnar Henderson caught seven passes for 129 yards and three scores. The connection between him and quarterback Aaron Nixon seems to be getting stronger with time.
“They’re getting a better and better feel for each other,” Brewer said. “We’re starting to see that translate into some good production.”
McHi improves to 2-3 in the district, same as three other teams in 30-6A.
McAllen is in a familiar position heading into Week 11. Last year, the Bulldogs needed a win to get into the postseason and didn’t get the job done. Now, they’ll have another chance when they face Mission High.
LA JOYA HIGH 17, McALLEN ROWE 14: At McAllen, La Joya High used defense to beat a strong offense for the second consecutive week. This time, the Coyotes spoiled Rowe’s homecoming but more importantly ended their perfect district record and snapped their six-game win streak.
Most of the scoring took place in the first half. Eddie Villarreal and Irvin Zamora got on the board, as did Rowe’s Raudel Garcia and Adrian Bernal.
In the end, La Joya set up kicker Sergio Jimenez for the winning field goal in the final minute.
“We were fortunate enough to slow them down a little bit,” Coyotes coach Reuben Farias said. “I’ve always told our guys, ‘If we can avoid the big plays, you give yourself a chance.’”
DISTRICT 31-6A
EDINBURG HIGH 28, PSJA SOUTHWEST 0: At Edinburg, the Bobcats (5-4, 4-2) earned a spot in the postseason with Friday’s win. Southwest (0-9, 0-6) was held scoreless for the first time in three games.
DISTRICT 31-5A
ROMA 21, LAREDO CIGARROA 17: At Laredo, Roma took its final road trip of 2017 and left Shirley Field with its first win of the season.
After Cigarroa (1-9, 1-7) took a 17-14 lead on a field goal in the fourth quarter, Roma (1-8, 1-6) orchestrated a drive that was capped by a 9-yard touchdown run by Adrian Maldonado to give the Gladiators a 21-17 lead with 1:04 remaining in regulation.
“We were finally able to get some drives going and convert some crucial third and fourth downs,” Roma coach Frank Villanueva said. “I’m excited for the team, for the staff, everybody. The kids never gave up. They kept on fighting.”
The win was the first as a head coach for Villanueva, who was promoted to the position in July.
SHARYLAND PIONEER 20, LAREDO MARTIN 13: At Mission, Sharyland Pioneer and Laredo Martin entered Week 10 tied in the district standings at 3-3. Pioneer came away with a win that eliminated Martin (4-5, 3-4) from playoff contention.
The Diamondbacks (5-4, 4-3) can get into the playoffs with a win against Roma or a loss by Rio Grande City to Sharyland High next week.
DISTRICT 16-4A DI
GRULLA 24, HIDALGO 9: At Hidalgo, Grulla (5-4, 2-1) clinched a playoff berth with a win. Hidalgo (0-9, 0-3) remains winless on the year.
DISTRICT 16-4A DII
WEST OSO 47, PROGRESO 7: At Corpus Christi, Progreso (1-7, 0-4) is eliminated from playoff contention with a loss. West Oso (5-4, 1-3) gets its first district win of the year.
DISTRICT 16-3A DII
BANQUETE 49, MONTE ALTO 28: At Banquete, Monte Alto (2-7, 0-4) is guaranteed to miss the playoffs after a loss. Banquete (3-6, 1-3) picks up its first win in the district season.
DISTRICT 16-2A DI
LA VILLA 34, SANTA MARIA 20: At La Villa, coming off a week that saw him win the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week award and the Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week award, senior quarterback Zach Gomez helped lead his team to a win that clinched a playoff berth.
“The boys were excited to seal a playoff spot,” La Villa coach Daniel Perez said. “Three Rivers won their game tonight, so we will both be undefeated entering next week’s game for the district title. It should be a great game.”
Gomez passed for two touchdowns to open the scoring. He also ran for one late to seal the game.
“They were keying in on him,” Perez said. “Zach had an OK game, but he did what he needed to do to help us get the win.”
La Villa’s ground game was the difference. Junior running back Rey Felix and several other players helped La Villa chew clock and dominate the time of possession.
“We were able to score and move the ball,” Perez said. “In the second half, once we got up, we stayed there.”
Gomez found out about the Mr. Texas award earlier Friday.
“Everybody was excited,” Perez said. “We found out at noon today. It’s good for Zach and everybody here.”