McALLEN — The Mercedes Tigers rolled to their second straight victory Thursday night, a 27-14 defeat over the McAllen High Bulldogs at McAllen Memorial Stadium. The Tiger defense led the charge, ending the game with three interceptions of Bulldogs junior quarterback Hunter Curl.
McHi opened the first quarter with a promising drive fueled by the running of Curl. Facing a third-and-2, Curl forced a pass down the middle that was picked off by Mercedes linebacker Jonathan Alvarado.
Following the interception, the Bulldogs defense held forcing a turnover on downs with 7:14 left in the first. The Tigers’ defense answered on the ensuing drive forcing its own turnover on downs with 4:27 remaining in the quarter.
Taking over on their own 45-yard line, the Tigers looked poised to strike first led by the running of wide receiver Josiah Cantu and running back Miguel Jimenez. The drive came to an end following a fumble by Jimenez that was recovered by McHi defensive end Aiden Thalman.
The Bulldogs quickly capitalized on the turnover as Curl hit wide receiver Felipe Magana in stride for a 74-yard touchdown pass on the following play. The touchdown put the Bulldogs up 7-0 for their first and only lead of the game.
Mercedes wasted no time answering as it took the ensuing drive 56 yards down the field behind the running of Cantu and Jimenez. The Tigers finished the drive with an 8-yard quarterback keeper by Michael Cisneros tying the game at 7 with 7:59 in the half.
Following the touchdown drives, both defenses clamped down as the next four drives ended with the offenses coming off the field with no points. With 1:16 left in the half, the Tiger offense got the ball back looking to take the lead before the break.
Sparked by a 27-yard completion from Cisneros to Cantu on the first play of the drive, the Tigers drove down the field ending it with a 33-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead into the half.
Mercedes’ offense opened the second half with a 69-yard touchdown drive led by the running of Cisneros. Jimenez would finish the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run putting the Tigers up 17-7 with 7:40 seconds left in the third.
On the ensuing drive, the Tiger defense forced a quick three-and-out giving the ball right back to their offense. Facing third and seven, wide receiver Tyrell Treviño put his mark on the game taking a pass from Cisneros 26-yards for a touchdown putting Mercedes up 24-4 with 4:10 left in the third.
Following their second interception of Curl, the Tigers added another field goal with 9:31 left in the game giving them a 27-7 lead.
Curl led the team 65 yards down the field, finishing the drive with a 25-yard touchdown run cutting the deficit to 27-14 with 6:11 remaining.
After forcing a punt, McHi’s comeback attempt continued moving the ball all the way down to the Tigers 15-yard line. Looking at fourth and 13, Curl threw his third interception to safety Issac Gonzalez, ending any hope of a comeback.
Up next for the Tigers (2-0) is a road game against the PSJA Memorial Wolverines next Friday to open District 16-5A DII. The Bulldogs (0-1) face the McAllen Memorial Mustangs next Friday as well, kicking off district play in 16-5A DI.