EDINBURG — The Edinburg Vela SaberCats shook off a sluggish start to take down the Rio Grande City Rattlers 70-27 in District 15-5A DI action Thursday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
The SaberCats improve to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in district, while the Rattlers fall to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in 15-5A DI.
“We didn’t do everything that we wanted to do defensively, but obviously, we scored 70 points, we’re doing something right on offense,” Edinburg Vela head coach John Campbell said. “Hats off to Rio Grande City and what they do offensively. They’re a scrappy bunch and run the Slot-T really well.”
The Rattlers took the fight to the SaberCats early on with two touchdowns on their first three drives. Javier Vallejo and Alexis Chapa scored on runs to put RGC ahead 14-7 during the first quarter.
Edinburg Vela’s passing attack was just getting started, however.
Vela senior quarterback Bobby Garcia threw four touchdowns and junior Myles Lopez added another through the air. Receiver Justin Navarro hauled in three touchdown receptions. Jaxson Shupe and Carlos Tamez both had one.
Victor Cardenas led Rio Grande City with 160 rushing yards, one touchdown run and one kickoff return for a touchdown.
“I think we did well for about a quarter. You can’t afford to give them 14 points off a fumble recovery and interception,” Rio Grande City head coach Jesus Lozano said. “Against a team like Vela, you got to be mistake free to stay in the game.”
Edinburg Vela capitalized on two Rio Grande City offensive errors as defensive lineman Christian Rios scooped and scored for a 44-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Then, after an interception by Luis Garcia, Rolando De Leon punched in a one yard touchdown. Dimas De Leon also broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run during the fourth.
Rio Grande City moves on to face La Joya Palmview (4-1, 1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Joe R. Sanchez Stadium in Rio Grande City.
Next for Edinburg Vela is a road test against McAllen High (3-3, 2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen.