NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
McALLEN — McAllen Rowe made every yard a battle and shut down crosstown rival McAllen High on Friday night at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The Warriors weathered four turnovers and a 35-minute lightning delay to top the Bulldogs 36-3 in the district opener for both teams, marking two straight wins in the rivalry series after historic dominance from McHi.
Rowe put up 336 yards of total offense while limiting McHi to 143.
Senior running back Lalo Bosquez, who played defense prior to this season, said the Warriors owned the game physically and psychologically.
“I don’t know how to explain this, man, but they were scared,” Bosquez said. “McHi, they didn’t want to hit us anymore, both ways. They didn’t know what to do. They were scared. It feels good. I’m just so happy. I knew we were going to come out. We like contact. That’s what we are.”
Bosquez started the scoring with a 27-yard run that he bounced to the outside. He added another run from the goal line and finished with an even 100 yards, plus the pair of touchdowns.
The contrast of the power back Bosquez and speedy sophomore Lorenzo Lopez worked, with both players scoring on the ground. Lopez’s touchdown went 22 yards through a large gap up the middle.
“He’s more quick with it,” Lalo Bosquez said of his fellow running back. “They get tired and stuff. I get in there and just pound it pound, it pound. Our O-line is dominating now. They’re not going to stop us no more. They’re scared of us.”
Aside from just the pregame delay, the game never found a comfortable pace. Rowe had nine penalties accepted for 85 yards, including negating a punt return that would have resulted in points. McHi had eight penalties for 59 yards.
“They could bark all they want, but Rowe got this,” Bosquez said.
The Warriors’ defensive line, led by Jesse Garza, Omar Villarreal and Jacob Karr, caused 11 negative run plays.
“It’s amazing to only let up three points. We worked hard these two weeks,” Garza, a senior defensive tackle, said. “It starts us on a high point. Everyone’s going to be afraid of us now, especially with the score.”
McHi was limited to three points after being shut out in its last game against Harlingen South. Gerardo Cadena kicked in the only points on the evening, from 29 yards out, for the purple and gold who fall to 1-4 on the season.
Bulldogs quarterback Brian Garza was 6 for 19 with two interceptions. He completed his first four passes, all to Mason Nava, before hitting a rough patch of pressure and incompletions. He made his final two connections during the fourth quarter.
“Our defensive line, all together, we have a rotation, did a good job today up front limiting the middle runs, and on the outside our guys were flowing,” Rowe coach Bobby Flores said. “I’m proud of the group. We have some work to do, because our district is tough, but we did a good job tonight.”
Josiah Alonzo and Emilio Topete came up with interceptions for Rowe.
Flores wasn’t completely happy with his team’s performance. The Warriors fumbled three times and lost two, and two passes from quarterback Jonas Ortiz were snagged by Bulldogs defenders.
Tripp Potter and Daniel Chiquito were the ball hawks with picks for McHi.
“It took us a little while to get going. We were a little hesitant. We were off with the bye week to get back,” Flores said. “We just regrouped, and I think our guys settled in on the second half and focused on not hurting us.”
Ortiz had two passing touchdowns: first Angel Rodriguez for a sweep pass of 12 yards, and then to Ruben Saenz, who made a catch in traffic for a 35-yard score.