While the start for Rio Grande Valley high school football teams was a question for much of the past few months, Sharyland High had no problem with beginning its 2020 campaign.
In a battle between playoff teams from a season ago, the Rattlers rolled their way to a 34-24 win over McAllen Rowe (0-2) in what was Sharyland High’s season opener.
Sharyland’s dual-threat quarterback Benji Valdivia kept the Rattlers’ offense going steady, but running back Rolando Saenz was breaking things open. The senior ball-carrier ended with 15 carries for 213 yards and three touchdowns.
Valdivia also dished out two touchdown passes as he connected with Ricky Vasquez and Robert Mancha for scores, and added 47 yards on the ground. Sharyland High (1-0) will look to keep things rolling as it opens District 16-5A Division II action 7:30 p.m. Friday against Mission Veterans.
DONNA HIGH DEFEATED IN DEBUT
A new era officially kicked off Thursday night as first-year head coach Mike Gonzales led his Donna High team on the road for a District 16-5A Division I matchup with Brownsville Porter.
Even though Donna lost its leading rusher and passer over the summer due to a transfer, Gonzales saw two players have no problem stepping up to take the team in the right direction.
Senior running back Adan Reyes scored three touchdowns for Donna from 35, 5 and 16 yards out. He finished the day with 201 yards on 28 carries, and added 50 receiving yards on three grabs.
Donna High quarterback Luis Frias was on the delivering end of those passes and went 13 for 23 with 158 yards and one passing touchdown.
It wasn’t enough, however, as Porter quarterback Kevin Garcia led the Cowboys to a 27-20 victory over Donna in its debut.
PSJA MEMORIAL NEARLY ENDS SKID
The Wolverines went on the road to open their season and had a chance to steal one late from Brownsville Lopez.
PSJA Memorial played to an 8-0 halftime lead after running back Robert Balderas hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass on a screen from Michael Reyes for a score, followed by a successful two-point conversion.
But Lopez came roaring back during the second half to take a 14-8 lead, putting the Wolverines’ backs against the wall late in the fourth quarter.
In possession with 5:33 left in the game, PSJA Memorial needed to get into the end zone to tie.
The Wolverines methodically drove down to the Lopez 8-yard line, but a wide receiver reverse was stopped 4 yards shy of the end zone forcing a turnover on downs and preventing PSJA Memorial from a season-opening win.
PSJA SOUTHWEST STOPPED SHORT
The Javelinas hosted Brownsville Veterans for a non-district matchup Friday night at PSJA ISD Stadium. Although they’re not in the same district anymore, they’re plenty familiar with each other as Brownsville Veterans beat Southwest 29-0 in Pharr last season.
PSJA Southwest came close to serving up a plate of revenge, but fell one point short as the Javelinas lost 14-13 to the Chargers.
Angel Hernandez led the Javelinas with 95 yards on 12 carries, while Cesar Bocanegra added 89 yards in the PSJA Southwest rushing attack. Fullbacks Justin Hinojosa and Miguel Garza punched in short scores for the Hogs, who will look to build going forward.