BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
PHARR — Coming into Friday’s game, La Joya High junior JR Rodriguez had practiced at quarterback only four times this year.
“It was the last four days,” Rodriguez said. “Last year, I switched from quarterback to receiver, so this year, I was focused on receiver. But, when coached asked me to practice at quarterback this week, I felt good.”
Despite the lack of preparation, Rodriguez shined as the perfect complement to sophomore running back Eddie Villarreal on Friday. La Joya High beat PSJA North 21-20 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
“This win means a lot to us,” junior defensive back Irvin Zamora said. “It’s my dream to play for the Coyotes. And to come here under the Friday night lights and get this win, it was awesome.”
While it was La Joya’s offense that powered the Coyotes, that unit wasn’t on the field for the biggest plays of the game.
With 44 second left of the clock, La Joya lined up to punt.
“We took the delay of game,” La Joya coach Reuben Farias said. “I was kind of hesitant, because I knew it would put us in a situation where we were backed up.”
After the penalty, the Coyotes were punting from their own 21, and Farias’ worry proved to be warranted, as PSJA North got into the backfield and blocked the punt. North junior Marco Salinas recovered the ball in the end zone to make the score 21-20 La Joya.
“It was a crazy moment,” Villarreal, who ran 28 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns, said. “At that point, it was up to God on that (extra point). And he came through.”
North kicker Jose Alvarez lined up to take the extra point, but the kick went wide right.
“I got so excited when that kick went wide,” Rodriguez, who had nine carries for 77 yards and a touchdown, said. “My eyes opened up wide, and I got happy.”
La Joya junior Charlie Alvarez recovered the ensuing onside kick to stave off any final attempt at late-game heroics by PSJA North.
That ended the dramatics, but that’s hardly where they started.
La Joya had the ball with the lead late because of a great play by senior defensive back Carlos de Leon.
“We had seen them setting that play up on several plays before,” Farias said. “So when we saw number 17 drying his hands, I told the boys, ‘It’s coming now.’”
North senior running back Vonzell Griffin (17) got the ball on a sweep, but he slowed up and looked to pass downfield. Because of Farias’ instructions, the defense was ready, and with de Leon and Zamora both there, de Leon got the interception.
“We knew it was coming,” Zamora said. “Coach kept telling us to watch for that play, that it was going to come.”
The theatrics didn’t end there. North had the ball on that possession thanks to a La Joya turnover. Junior quarterback Aaron Martinez awaited the snap from the North 6. When it came, it sailed right over his head.
“I wanted to get under center,” Farias said. “I was upset, but I told the defense, ‘You are going to have to step up.’”
Sophomore defensive back John Sanchez recovered the fumble and ran the ball to the North 44.
Despite all the drama, La Joya was in control for much of the game and was on the verge of coasting to an easy win before the red zone fumble.
Rodriguez and Villarreal played a big part in that.
Rodriguez and Martinez spelled each other at quarterback. Rodriguez exclusively ran from the formation, although he played the position on junior varsity and is considered a capable passer.
The Coyotes pounded the middle with Villarreal. Often, Villarreal would break loose for 10-12 yards per carry.
“It was all about the O-line” Villarreal said. “They opened up the holes, and I just read them.”
Villarreal is a powerful runner with a large frame. So, when the slimmer, more agile Rodriguez got the carry, it gave the Raiders nightmares.
This was old school, hard-nosed Valley football. Each team ran it straight up the gut for much of the game. The teams combined for 21 pass attempts.
North got production out of both running backs. Senior Juan Elizondo carried the ball 18 times for 79 yards and a touchdown, and Griffin carried it seven times for 19 yards and a score.
PSJA North started each half sluggish, and that allowed La Joya to pounce. After forcing the Raiders to punt in their own territory on the openiacng drive of the game, the Coyotes went on a seven-play, 71-yard drive punctuated with a 34-yard touchdown run from Villarreal.
To start the second half, the teams traded three-and-outs. On the third possession of the half, La Joya got great field position on a 52-yard punt return from Zamora. The Raiders held at first, but on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Villarreal punched it in to give the Coyotes a 14-7 lead.
In the end, the Coyotes never surrendered that lead. Despite the drama at the end, the Coyotes running attack of Villarreal and Rodriguez put them in a position to win.
“I’m happy for our boys, because they grinded all week,” Farias said. “Tonight, they played their hearts out, and we found a way to win.”