NATHANIEL MATA | THE MONITOR
McALLEN — McAllen Rowe never led against Mission High until it absolutely needed to. Adrian Bernal scored a walk-off touchdown in overtime to lift the Warriors (6-1, 3-0) to a 28-21 win over the Eagles.
The senior wide receiver suffered an injury while playing defense but didn’t miss much time and remained effective.
In the late stages of the game, Bernal took direct snaps, including the 7-yard score that clinched the game. While he’s emerged as the district’s top receiver, he keeps quarterback experience in his back pocket.
“In previous years, I’ve played quarterback, and I can’t say it’s the same thing as the varsity quarterback, but it’s very similar,” Bernal said. “Our offensive scheme, I know it. The line does a great job, and they tell me to find a hole and make it happen.”
Each team was fighting through injuries, both coming into the game and throughout the course of the 48-plus minute contest.
Mission (3-5, 1-3) lost both all-around playmaker Steven De Leon and promising quarterback Damian Gomez for the game. Both players were on crutches by night’s end.
Bernal knew injuries played a role, but in Week 8, it’s part of the nature of the game.
“Those are two tough teams out there,” Bernal said. “They had a tough team wanting to win. And that’s what you got to do. If you want to win, you have to grind through it.”
Mission took the lead on three separate occasions. First, with Luis Valdez punching it in from the goal line. Then, De Leon scored from 3 yards out in the second quarter after being helped up off the turf once.
Horacio “Tito” Moronta V, a first-year transfer from Rowe to Mission High, continued his impressive sophomore campaign. He scored in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles their final lead.
The theme of the game was Rowe’s ability to respond to adversity.
Jonas Ortiz hit Ruben Saenz III for a 54-yard TD pass to tie the game at 7. Then, one of the biggest swings of fortune came from Rowe’s defense. Josiah Alonzo recovered a fumble and scored after Sergio Hernandez knocked the ball free during a De Leon run.
Alonzo took the ball 47 yards to the house to tie the game at 14, marking the Warriors’ third game in a row with a defensive touchdown.
“It comes down to practice,” Alonzo said. “There’s one drill that we do scoop and score, and it’s why we have the feeling for the ball. If the ball is loose, you have to be angry and get that ball and score.”
Raudel Garcia scored from 3 yards out to tie the game at 21 with 8:18 to play.
Despite an opportunity to win late in regulation, Rowe needed extra time to prevail.
Mission’s Moronta V threw his first pass of the game on the first possession of the first overtime, and Rowe intercepted his attempt.
Then, it was Bernal’s offense to run, with Ortiz passing the reins to the senior.
Rowe coach Bobby Flores was complimentary of his entire team’s effort and was happy with Bernal’s fight.
“When you talk about toughness, that guy defines toughness,” Flores said. “In this profession, you teach them, and you want to coach them up to the best of your ability. But his inner toughness and will is just unbelievable, man. We’re lucky to have him.”
Alonzo said there was joy, but not much surprise on the Warriors sideline when Bernal got in for six.
“It comes down to character. That guy has a lot of character,” Alonzo said. “When Adrian goes in that wildcat, we know we’re getting in that end zone.”
Rowe will be challenged again next week when it goes up against McAllen High in a rivalry that rarely disappoints.