BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Veterans Memorial senior quarterback Reece Sampayo aired it out during the opening two quarters of the RGVSports.com Week 6 Game of the Week on Friday at Brownsville Veterans.
The senior finished the first half with 176 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns as the Chargers built a 36-7 halftime lead.
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers (4-1, 1-0) ended up defeating the Donna High Redskins (5-1, 1-1) 60-7 in a District 16-5A DI meeting.
“I think we started a little slow, but once we got going we rolled,” Brownsville Veterans head coach Kelley Lee said. “I am proud of our defense taking away a good offense and what they wanted to do. Offensively, we were able to execute really well tonight.”
Sampayo started strong with a deep pass on the run. The senior found receiver Sergio Sosa along the sideline for a big gain. The Chargers fumbled the promising opening drive. Brownsville Veterans finished with three first-half turnovers, despite the big lead.
“That was pretty awesome,” Sampayo said. “It was a free play, rolled out and tried to make something happen.”
The quarterback gained confidence in his arm after that play, he said.
Sampayo scored the Chargers’ first two touchdowns with runs from inside the 10-yard-line after long drives behind the strong running of Bryan Chavez and Jay Valdez.
With the Donna High defense loading the box, Sampayo found Gerry Gomez for a 49-yard touchdown and then again for a 41-yard touchdown. Both of the deep bombs came on the same play-action passing play.
“I think the coach’s game plan and plays set us up for that, to be wide open,” Gomez said.
Sampayo again found Gomez for 31 yards to set up the final touchdown of the half when Eroz Pineda punched it in from 2 yards.
“Honestly, before the game, during the warmups, everyone said they felt great,” Gomez said. “I felt my best by far.”
Donna High scored its lone touchdown with a 4-yard touchdown run by senior Jake Garcia.
Chavez put the Chargers up 43-7 on a 26-yard touchdown run. Jay Valdez rushed for a 24-yard touchdown and Gilbert Trillo found the end zone from 11 yards to put Brownsville Veterans up 57-7 before the fourth quarter.
Brownsville Veterans kicker Tyler Achleitner’s 26-yard field goal tacked on three more points to make it 60-7.
“It feels great to start district with a win,” Sampayo said. “Hopefully we win more games and district.”
Brownsville Veterans heads to Weslaco East at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bobby Lackey Stadium. Donna High will have its bye week before taking on Weslaco East at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at Benny LaPrade Stadium.