FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Santa Maria Cougars started the season just the way they wanted during a turnover-plagued contest against the Marine Military Academy Bulldogs.
Santa Maria scored twice during the first half and once in the second as the Cougars pulled out a 20-8 victory over the Bulldogs on Thursday evening at General George Bowman Stadium.
“Defensively, we played well,” Santa Maria coach Steve Flores said. “Of course, they have the numbers (squad size) and some speed, but our kids did about as well as I could have expected them to considering the situation, but it could have been a lot worse and it could have been a lot better.”
As early as the second quarter, squad size started to become a factor for the Cougars as injuries began piling up due to dehydration. By the fourth quarter, Flores had to sit as many as three key players due to cramps.
One of Flores’ key players who was forced out was fullback Edward Martinez. Martinez sat out for much of the second half, but not before putting the Cougars on the board first. On the play before, Eric Castellanos broke free for a 50-yard run, taking the ball deep into Leatherneck territory and setting the ball down at the 3.
“The backfield did well, but we just ran out of gas,” Flores said. “All of a sudden, your starting fullback runs out of gas and you have to start shifting people. But our offensive line came through, and they did what they were supposed to do so our backs could have the holes they needed.
Another Cougars player with night to remember was Giovanni Diaz. He had touchdown receptions of 10 and 53 yards on offense, and he added an interception and a forced fumble on defense.
“Gio is coming around,” Flores said. “He didn’t play last year and he didn’t play the year before so he is still learning the game a little bit, but he is talented. Hopefully as we’ll get better he will also get better.”