The Edinburg Vela SaberCats remained perfect on the year with a 51-13 win over PSJA High on Friday night at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
SaberCats senior quarterback Chase Campbell threw three touchdown passes and sophomore running back Jamal Polley diced up the Bears defense for two rushing touchdowns.
Justin Vega was the recipient of two of Campbell’s touchdown throws, while Carlos Tamez hauled in the other. Ryan Clough also punched in another rushing touchdown for the SaberCats.
Despite the loss, Bears senior receiver Viggo Lopez produced one of the plays of the year. PSJA sophomore quarterback Jaime Lopez tossed a deep ball in Viggo Lopez’s direction with two Vela defenders in the area. Viggo Lopez attacked the ball with his hands, pinned it to the back of his helmet and ran into the end zone to complete the highlight reel play for a 46-yard touchdown. Jaime Lopez scored PSJA’s second touchdown of the night late during the fourth quarter on a short run.
Edinburg Vela improved to 7-0 overall and sit alone at the top of District 31-6A at 5-0. The SaberCats take on La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
Meanwhile, the Bears (3-3, 2-2) will look to bounce back against the rival PSJA North Raiders at 7:30 p.m. Friday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
LA JOYA 24, EDINBURG NORTH 21: At Edinburg, the Coyotes stunned the Cougars on the road to earn their first district win of the season.
The Coyotes marched down the field to score the game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds left on the scoreboard on a three-yard throw by Tristen Treviño.
La Joya scored 21 points during the second half to overcome a 7-3 halftime deficit.
“It’s a big win for our kids and our community. We’re going to continue to build on this for our season,” La Joya head coach Reuben Farias said. “We faced adversity and our boys kept on working, playing hard and finding ways to make plays and finish drives.
The Coyotes (2-4, 1-3) will be in search of their second consecutive victory when they face Edinburg High (3-4, 3-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at La Joya ISD Stadium.
Edinburg North enters its bye week on a four-game losing streak. The Cougars will resume District 31-6A play Oct. 22 against crosstown rival Edinburg High.
DISTRICT 16-5A DI
McALLEN ROWE 21, DONNA HIGH 17: At McAllen, the Warriors bounced back from a Week 5 loss to McAllen Memorial behind a pair of rushing touchdowns by running back Chris Zavala.
The Warriors improve to 4-1 in district play, placing them in a three-way tie with Brownsville Veterans and McAllen High.
Up next, McAllen Rowe (4-2, 4-1) hits the road for a pivotal district matchup against the Chargers (4-2, 4-1) on Thursday at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville.
McALLEN MEMORIAL 34, BROWNSVILLE PACE 20: At Brownsville, the Mustangs shook off some first half rust, holding the Vikings to six second-half points en route to their fifth straight win.
Next for the Mustangs (5-1, 5-0) is an away game against Donna High (1-4, 1-4) on Friday at Bennie La Prade Stadium in Donna.
DISTRICT 16-5A DI
EDCOUCH-ELSA 42, SHARYLAND PIONEER 21: At Mission, the Yellow Jackets used a 28-point second half to roll past the Diamondbacks, handing them their first district loss of the season.
With that, the Yellow Jackets keep their playoff hopes alive, sitting tied for fifth place with the Roma Gladiators, each holding a 2-3 district record.
Next for Edcouch-Elsa (2-5, 2-3) is a home contest against PSJA Memorial (1-5, 1-3) on Friday at Benny Layton Stadium in Edcouch.
DISTRICT 14-5A DI:
RIO GRANDE CITY 35, LAREDO CIGARROA 10: At Laredo, Rattlers running back Victor Cardenas scored a pair of touchdowns, as Rio Grande City snapped a three-game losing streak, while improving to 1-1 in district play.
The Rattlers’ defense added a pair of touchdowns, while CJ Garcia scored another on the ground.
The Rattlers (3-3, 1-1) return home Friday against San Antonio Southside at Joe R. Sanchez Stadium in Rio Grande City.