STAFF REPORTS
Santa Rosa running back Jose Diaz-Mendez rushed for 141 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown during the Warriors’ 32-7 loss Friday at Taft.
Mike Bermea was Santa Rosa’s leading receiver with one catch for 51 yards on a pass from Bobby Saldivar.
The Warriors (5-4 overall, 2-3 district) are on the outside looking in at a District 16-3A Division II playoff berth, behind Hebbronville at 2-2 in district and 4-4 overall. The Warriors conclude the regular season when they play host to district co-leader Corpus Christi London at 7:30 p.m. Friday. London is sharing the top spot with Odem, the only other unbeaten team in 16-3A DI.
In District 16-3A Division I, Lyford saw its three-game win streak come to an end at the hands of Mathis in a 29-7 road defeat. Osmar Martinez was Lyford’s leading rusher, with 84 yards on 23 carries. Devon Mendoza had two catches for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs moved to 3-2 in district play and maintained possession of the final 16-3A Division I playoff spot due to Lyford’s earlier win over Falfurrias, which is also 3-2. The Bulldogs conclude their home schedule with a matchup against Santa Gertrudis Academy at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Santa Maria also suffered a setback with a 59-13 loss to District 16-2A Division I, allowing a season-high 460 yards on defense. The Cougars (5-2, 1-2 16-3A Division II) are clinging to the fourth seed in the district playoff picture.
Quarterback Nathaniel Rodriguez led Santa Maria through the air with 134 passing yards and on the ground with 33 rushing yards on six carries. Rodriguez tossed two touchdown passes and completed eight of his 18 attempts.
Bernie Castellanos was the leading receiver for the Cougars with two touchdown receptions and four total catches for 114 yards.
Santa Maria plays host to Kaufer at 7:30 p.m. Friday, before visiting Freer the following week at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Cougars’ regular-season finale. Santa Maria is one game behind third-place Freer.
TIGHTENING UP
The District 32-6A race is starting to take shape with two weeks left in the regular season.
Harlingen High remains atop the district with a 3-0 record after a road win at Los Fresnos in Week 9.
Despite the chilly and windy conditions, Cardinals QB Jaime Galvan picked up where he left off. Galvan ran for 139 yards on 17 attempts and one score, and the lefty threw for 148 yards and two scores, going 12-for-16.
Galvan hit his brother Justin Galvan on five passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Rayden Berry ran for 75 yards on 12 carries.
Harlingen High will meet crosstown rival Harlingen South at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
San Benito picked up its second straight win and did it with a bang. The Greyhounds avenged last year’s loss to Hanna and leaned on senior QB Smiley Silva, who ran for 221 yards on 16 carries and found paydirt four times.
Silva’s 221 yards and four scores are season-highs. Junior running back Kyler Castilleja checked in a 14-carry, 58-yard, two-score performance in the win.
San Benito is 2-1 in district and in a comfortable spot for a postseason berth. The ’Hounds play host to Brownsville Rivera on Friday.
Harlingen South kept its playoff hopes alive with a win against Rivera last Friday. South is 1-2 and tied with Rivera, Hanna and Los Fresnos, who all have 1-2 records.
Sophomore running back Marcos Gonzales continued to roll in Week 9. Gonzales ran for 132 yards on 26 carries and three scores. He has eight touchdowns during the past three games and has provided the Hawks with a strong option out of the backfield.
“(Marcos) is a very strong runner,” South coach Brian Ricci said following Friday’s game. “He runs hard and is hard to tackle, and I wouldn’t wanna tackle him, I’ll tell you that.”
The Hawks’ defense forced four turnovers and pitched a shutout during the second half.
South seeks its second straight win Friday when it meets Harlingen High. The Hawks are looking to snap a 10-year skid against their crosstown rival.
GOOD TO GO
As the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers put the bow on a 29-0 shutout of PSJA Southwest and a third straight win, quarterback Liam Longoria watched from the sidelines after sitting out the second half with an ankle injury.
The senior quarterback had been battling some bumps and bruises, but coach David Cantu said it isn’t a long-term worry and Longoria should be back near full strength for Friday night’s game against Pace.
“He’s definitely going to start the football game, and he’ll be near 100 percent,” Cantu said. “And he’ll do all the things he can do. He has played through some pain, and we admire him and we’re proud of him for that. He really sets the example by being a tough kid.”
Cantu said Longoria has steadily gotten better after every day this week.
Longoria’s absence during the second half was mostly precautionary as the Chargers were in control of PSJA Southwest throughout.
Running back and backup quarterback Marlon Montelongo took the second-half snaps and was 2 for 2 for 18 yards through the air and one touchdown. He also rushed for 165 yards and two more scores to lead the way.