BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
PHARR — PSJA High senior Orlando Huerta played offensive tackle last year on a Bears team that went 3-7 overall and 1-6 in District 31-6A.
When PSJA coach Lupe Rodriguez took over, he moved assistant coach Tommy Sauceda from the offensive side to the defensive side, and Sauceda took Huerta with him.
“It kind of was a big loss, losing him,” junior quarterback Trey Guajardo said. “But you can tell that his love was on the defensive side. And he is playing lights out this season. He is going to keep it going.”
Huerta has been proving that the move was the correct one all year, and PSJA High’s 41-22 win over Edinburg Economedes on Thursday at PSJA Stadium was no different. Huerta came up with an interception in the third quarter to help the Bears steal the momentum.
“They ran that play earlier, in the first half,” Huerta said. “I felt like it was my fault that they converted it on the third down. So the second time, I felt the instinct that he was going to go back to that play. So I read it, and I rolled out, and took off to my right side, and I picked it off. I just felt like I did something for my team, and I feel like that kick-started us to get back on track.”
He also had a fumble recovery and was all over the field making tackles, even picking up a few sacks.
“He’s been great for our defense,” Rodriguez said. “Orly Huerta has been great all year long.”
Economedes came ready to play and, despite PSJA’s opening-drive touchdown, Economedes dominated the first half.
The Jaguars controlled the time of possession with their run-heavy offense. Economedes attempted just five passes in the first half, two of which came on the final drive in the Jaguars’ two-minute offense.
The Jaguars picked up two touchdowns and a field goal in the first half, but the Bears defense held firm on a Jaguars drive late in the second quarter, and Econ was forced to attempt another field goal that missed the mark.
In the second half, Guajardo found his rhythm and got the team rolling.
“This was the first time we have been behind going into half all season,” Rodriguez said. “I said, ‘Find a way.’ Those are the things we preach to them, and they came back and responded. They found a way. We clamped down on defense. Offensively, we got some sparks here and there, some big plays by Nate Sanchez and Trey, a couple hookups there. It all went well after that.”
Guajardo finished with 294 passing yards and four touchdowns. Sanchez caught six passes for 137 yards and a score. Guajardo also found Nathaniel Miranda three times for 67 yards and two touchdowns. Miranda has been coming on as of late as one of Guajardo’s favorite targets in the red zone.
“He has put in a lot of hard work during the summer,” Guajardo said of Miranda. “It is paying off for him. The connection that we have, we are trying to get that chemistry there. It was a little slow during the preseason. But I feel that if we keep at it, we will be tough to stop.”
Economedes’ ground game was almost unstoppable early in the first half. The Jaguars got rushing touchdowns from seniors Lee Maldonado and Gabriel Ornelas. Maldonado finished with 56 yards, and Ornelas ended up with 55.
“Econ is a great football team,” Rodriguez said. “Their record doesn’t indicate the type of team they are. They have a lot of great athletes. They have nothing to lose. They are going to come out and give you their all.”