The Santa Maria Cougars have not hosted a game the last two seasons. Friday night the fans were back to witness the Cougars’ first win of the season, a 47-21 drumming of Monte Alto.
“It felt great,” Cougars coach Israel Gracia said. “We have been waiting for it, the kids played well. Every win is going to help us. Hopefully now we can get on a role and gain confidence.”
Gracia praised the performances of linebacker Jordan Ramirez, running back Esiah Gracia and quarterback Chris Ibarra. The Cougars (1-1) will be on the road to face Agua Dulce at 6 p.m. next Friday. Santa Maria spent the whole year on the road last year because of stadium renovations.
EDCOUCH-ELSA 13, RAYMONDVILLE 6: The Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets also won their first game of the season and first win under alum Victor Cardenas. The Yellowjackets scored both of their touchdowns in the fourth quarter against a strong Raymondville Bearkats team to come out with the win.
Edcouch-Elsa (1-1) will have another stern test when District 32-6A’s Brownsville Rivera (1-1) comes to town next at 7 p.m. Friday at Benny Layton Stadium. The Bearkats (1-1) face Lyford (1-1) in the Cotton Bowl at 7 p.m. Friday at Burnett Stadium.
DONNA NORTH 14, LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN 9: The Donna North Chiefs are 2-0 for the first time in the school’s short history. The Chiefs outlasted Juarez-Lincoln this week and took care of Edinburg Economedes last week.
Next week, The Chiefs will host Brownsville Porter (2-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Benny LaPrade Stadium in Donna. Juarez-Lincoln (0-2) will face Mission High at 7 p.m. Friday at Tom Landry Stadium.
EDINBURG VELA 55, EDINBURG HIGH 13: At Edinburg, the SaberCats used a strong second half to run past the crosstown rival Bobcats at Richard R. Flores Stadium.
Junior running back Jamal Polley rushed for four touchdowns, Dimas De Leon added two more out of the Edinburg Vela backfield and quarterback Bobby Garcia punched one in on the ground as well.
Edinburg Vela has scored 50 points or more in their first two games of the season.
The No. 1-ranked SaberCats (2-0) move on to face Weslaco East (1-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco. Edinburg High (1-1) is slated to host Weslaco High (2-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.