Sharyland Pioneer quarterback Julian Valdez helped lift the Diamondbacks over Roma in a District 16-5A DII double-overtime thriller in Week 8 to earn RGVSports.com Player of the Week honors.
Valdez threw for 287 yards, four touchdowns and a two-point conversion, while also running for 112 yards and a score during the Diamondbacks’ 43-35 double overtime win.
Valdez threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Carrizales on 4th-and-8 during the first overtime, tying the game at 35 to keep Pioneer alive.
During the second overtime, he connected with Carrizales again for an 11-yard touchdown, which ended up being the game-winning score.
This season, Pioneer’s junior signal caller has thrown for 1,940 yards and 21 touchdowns. He’s also run for 501 yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
Valdez and the Diamondbacks (5-2, 2-0) are back in action against PSJA Southwest at 7:30 p.m. Friday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.