BY MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers are playoff bound, but one thing was left to check off their list heading into their final regular-season game against the Donna High Redskins: An undefeated District 32-5A title.
The Chargers delivered just that as they defeated the Donna High Redskins, 27-0, Saturday afternoon, securing the program’s first-ever outright district championship at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville.
“I’m just so happy for all the kids and coaches that have been on an incredible journey this year,” said Chargers head coach David Cantu, who also notched his 50th career win. “People think going undefeated is all ups, it’s not. There is a lot of adversity. We have a great group of seniors … ever since they were freshmen, they have carried themselves with nothing but class.”
Brownsville Veterans finished the regular season 9-1 (7-0 32-5A) and heads into the playoffs riding a seven-game winning streak. The Chargers will face Laredo Nixon out of District 31-5A in the bi-district round at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Alice.
Donna High, meanwhile, finished 4-6 overall (2-5 32-5A) and will miss the postseason after finishing district play with two straight losses.
“Our playoff hopes were shattered last week and coming here is going to be tough,” Donna head coach Ramiro Leal said. “We just wanted to come out and fight. That’s all we can ask for. (Brownsville Veterans) is a very talented team and we wish them nothing but the best representing our district. They’re deserving of the district championship.”
The Chargers defense got after the Redskins early and often Saturday and gained the early momentum because of it.
Donna’s Carlos Bowen put the ball on the turf on the fourth play from scrimmage, leading to a recovery by BVM’s Ben White at midfield. Quarterback Alex Sanchez was picked off by the Chargers’ Aaron Recio on the next Redskins possession.
Charger quarterback Gustavo Vasquez turned the takeaways into points, scoring on runs of 14 and 4 yards to take a 14-0 first-quarter lead.
“The two early turnovers were really, really big and we were able to get some points out of that,” Cantu said. “Three straight shutouts, which is a school record. Our whole defensive staff puts our kids in position to make plays and our kids are making them.”
The Chargers have outscored opponents 146-0 in three straight shutouts, and Saturday, they held Donna High to 146 yards of total offense.
Late in the first half, Vasquez found Damian Maldonado on a 24-yard touchdown strike to make it three consecutive scoring drives to open the game for a 21-0 cushion at the half.
Brownsville Veterans continued its defensive onslaught late in the third quarter when defensive back Sammy Chapa picked off Sanchez and returned it 45 yards for the score, making it 27-0 after a missed conversion.
Sanchez struggled, going 9 of 16 for 37 yards and two interceptions.
“We felt great and we have a great defensive coordinator in Dave Evans and every game we are prepared,” Recio said. “Hats off to him and the entire staff.”
Vasquez had another strong day on the ground, rushing for 116 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for 98 yards on an 8-for-12 passing day.