By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
In his first game handling No. 1 running back duties, Brownsville Pace junior Andrew Gonzalez was downright unstoppable.
The reformed defensive back was thrust into the role because of a season-ending injury suffered by Ivan Gonzalez last week. Andrew Gonzalez shined as he led the Vikings (3-6, 3-5 in District 16-5A Division I) to a 41-21 victory over La Joya Palmview (3-6, 2-6), scoring four rushing touchdowns.
“It was just heart. Honestly, it was just running hard and playing hard, putting the pedal to the metal,” Andrew Gonzalez said. “It was a little tough. I had to learn the offense really quick. But the line stepped up tremendously. Good blocking from receivers and the O-line, and the quarterback would open it up because he’d get yards and they’d sleep on me so I could get some plays.”
Both halves started in similar ways, with Pace getting off to a fast start and Palmview responding.
The Vikings took their first two possessions to the end zone. Gonzalez slipped tackles and kept his legs pumping to carry defenders with him for extra yards, pacing the offense all game.
Junior quarterback Brandon Narvaez and senior receiver Alexander Agado connected twice for 36 yards to set up the first score, a 4-yard rush by Gonzalez. Gonzalez extended Pace’s lead with a tough 24-yard rushing touchdown early in the second, escaping a shoestring tackle before pounding his way to the end zone.
“The offense had some continuity. They actually kept drives alive,” Pace coach Danny Pardo said. “At halftime, that’s all I preached, just take care of the little things and let the offense keep moving, and we’ll go from there.”
The Lobos moved slowly and methodically downfield behind the efforts of junior quarterback Christian Reyna and a trio of playmakers. Senior running back A.J. Chapa carried the load and used his own tough running for consistent gains. Junior running back Eddie Pena and junior receiver Tony Villarreal contributed to the comeback.
On fourth down, Reyna handled a low snap and stayed composed with Pace’s Ricardo Alvarez in pursuit. He heaved the ball downfield, and Villarreal made the catch at the 25. After a Pace penalty on fourth down gave them new life, the Lobos scored on a 4-yard rush by Chapa late in the second.
Shortly after, junior Cristian Quitanilla recovered a fumble to give Palmview the ball deep in Pace territory with two minutes to play. Reyna hit big tight end Julian Sepulveda for a 23-yard touchdown to tie.
Pace drove downfield quickly, looking to retake the lead before the break, but Palmview senior Gino Ibarra wrecked those plans with an interception, keeping it tied at 14.
The Vikings again scored on their first two possessions of the third quarter, making it 28-14.
Agado took the opening kick approximately 90 yards for a touchdown. Gonzalez then scored his third touchdown on a 7-yard carry, racing to the edge then cutting inside a lane created by receiver Nathan Herrera’s block.
Palmview responded well, going on another time-consuming drive paced by consistent runs. Reyna and Sepulveda connected for a 17-yard touchdown as the big target beat the defense midfield.
Determined to end a five-game losing streak, the Vikings’ defense didn’t let Palmview maintain its momentum, coming up with timely stops during the fourth quarter. Senior Emilio Cahuiche had a huge game, racking up tackles and going 5-for-6 in PATs. Jonathan Lerma, Jorge Rodriguez and Alvarez played well to help the defense. Jesus Coello snagged an interception late in the game.
“I almost forgot what it felt like (to win),” Pardo said. “It’s been a while. Pace Vikings are not used to having a losing streak. Not a good taste in our mouth. They feed off that defense, and the defense made a couple plays there to get them cranking up. … These kids are coming together. As we go, we’re trying to finish up the year strong. Hopefully it carries into next week.”
Pace scored twice during the fourth quarter as Gonzalez continued to slice through the Lobos’ defense like a knife. He zig-zagged through lanes and juked defenders with ease, and capped his tremendous night with a 33-yard rushing touchdown. Agado scored on a fake field goal, taking the snap as the holder and running 15 yards to the end zone.
Quitanilla, Ezquiel De Hoyos and Jan Garcia contributed to Palmview’s defensive effort. Junior DB Bryan Garces notched an interception during the third quarter.
Both teams will close their seasons next week. Pace faces Brownsville Veterans Memorial, and Palmview will battle Brownsville Lopez.
“It was good to catch a win,” Gonzalez said. “It was tough losing those games. We look forward to taking on Vets with a win under our belt.”