By EDWARD SEVERN, Special to RGVSports.com
HARLINGEN — The PSJA North Raiders defeated the Harlingen South Hawks 56-26, winning the bi-district matchup and advancing to the area round of the playoffs.
The Hawks entered the playoffs undefeated and as District 32-6A champions, their best season since 2007. Hosting a playoff game at Boggus Stadium was a reward for their success.
The 8-2 PSJA North Raiders, boasting one of the best defenses in the Rio Grande Valley and a solid running game, came to play.
The Raiders started quick and struck often during the first half with four big touchdowns by senior running back Jack Lugo. A 32-yard touchdown run only a couple minutes into the game was answered with a 2-yard running touchdown by South’s Carlos Mossboss.
Isaac Gonzalez scored the next touchdown for the Raiders, smoking South for a 46-yard touchdown run. South tied it at 14 when quarterback Xander Casarez hit Elias Ledesma on a slant for a 10-yard touchdown.
The Raiders’ defense came up with a big interception as Leroy Palacios jumped the route, and then Lugo tallied another big touchdown run, this one from 42 yards out. The Raiders got slick on the kickoff and recovered the onside kick.
PSJA North quarterback Alejandro Aparacio ran hard all night. Good runs from him and Gonzalez set up two more Lugo touchdown runs before halftime, one from 10 yards out and the other for 28 yards, giving the Raiders a 35-14 lead at halftime.
“It was great to come into a bi-district game and get the win, perform and do what my team needed to do,” Lugo said. “A running back is nothing without his offensive line, and they came to play. They are dogs.”
South quickly cut into the Raiders’ lead. Casarez found a wide open Ernesto Garcia for a 57-yard touchdown, reducing the lead to 15. South could not capitalize on a fumble recovery on the next drive.
Lugo was fantastic all night, and so was his blocking. Lugo put the game out of reach with two more long touchdown runs, the first from 30 yards out and the second from 45 yards to give PSJA North a 49-20 lead during the fourth quarter.
The game finished 56-26 thanks to a couple of late touchdowns.
“They played hard,” PSJA North coach Marcus Kaufmann said. “It was all-around an intense game. Even though we were up, we never felt like we had it solidified because they are such a good team. We ended up making the plays when we needed to.
“And then Jack (Lugo), Jack broke some tackles, he had some big plays and some big holes. It was a lot of fun.”
It was a disappointing end to the season for South, but a lot was accomplished.
“We are extremely proud of our boys,” South coach Israel Gonzalez said. “We give all praise, glory and honor to God in the good times and bad ones. He blessed us with a tremendous season. We are grateful and joyful for what we got to accomplish. This team will be special to my heart no matter how much time goes by.”