DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
ELSA — Friday’s District 32-5A finale between Donna High and Edcouch-Elsa meant everything for the Redskins and nothing for the Yellowjackets.
It showed.
Needing a win to control their own destiny for a postseason berth, the Redskins dominated the Yellowjackets 34-7 at Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium. The reward is at least one game, as the Redskins play Mission Veterans Memorial in their 5A bi-district play-off next Friday at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission.
As if Donna High (6-3, 5-2 32-5A) needed any more motivation than a win-or-go-home conquest, the Redskins had additional inspiration with the return of junior quarterback Amonte Bowen. Bowen, returning from a broken collarbone suffered in August, entered the game in the second quarter and proceeded to burn the ‘Jackets with 121 yards and two touchdowns off 17 carries.
Donna High coach Ramiro Leal said Bowen didn’t want his first game of the season to be his last of the season. He played that way.
“Once I took the first hit, I knew I could do it,” Bowen said. “I was given a lot of encouragement during this entire process. I think we all had the spirit that we needed, to play for this community and come out with that ‘W.”
Edcouch-Elsa’s playoff fate was already set — an anticipated first-round affair with Sharyland High next week at Thompson Stadium in Mission. But it didn’t come away with the momentum coach Joe Marichalar desired heading into that game.
“Give credit to Donna,” Marichalar said. “Their backs were against the wall and they needed to win and that’s exactly what they did.”
A Redskins offense that was averaging 56 points and more than 400 rushing yards the last two games picked right up where it left off, compiling 350 rushing yards, with all five of its touchdowns via the ground game.
Donna High ran, ran and ran some more, and E-E had no answer, even with a formidable senior defensive front. The Redskins scored on their first three possessions of the game, while the Yellowjackets (6-4, 5-2) had turnovers on two of their first three possessions on a bitterly wet night.
“The weather was in our favor,” said Redskins defensive back Efrain Tijerina, who collected one of Donna’s two takeaways. “Their quarterback, the way he threw the ball, you could tell the weather had an affect. We were able to come up with big plays.”
The Redskins were led by Paul Guerra with 194 yards and three TDs. Donna High also didn’t hurt itself. It did not turn the ball over and had just three penalties to Edcouch-Elsa’s eight.
“The kids have paid the price,” Leal said. “We started 1-2 in district. They knew they’d have to win four straight. They knew they’d have to come here and win.
“I’m really happy for them.”
LOOKING AHEAD
By the numbers, E-E had a fine offensive night with 338 total yards. But false starts killed promising drives and the ‘Jackets looked out of sorts more often than not.
Marichalar said it’s possible his kids were looking ahead to Sharyland already.
“You don’t want to say that, but in the back of your mind you know it’s there,” said Marichalar, who stressed his team needs a lot of work in “the mental game.” “I thought we kept them focused all week long about the task at hand, and that was Donna. It didn’t turn out that way.”
AGUINAGA STANDS OUT
E-E sophomore quarterback Marco Aguinaga had trouble passing (7-for-15 for 78 yards and two picks), but helped E-E’s offense late.
He had the ‘Jackets’ only TD and finished with 156 yards on 21 carries.