NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — With 2:50 to play and their season on the line, the PSJA High Bears were given new life. A pass interference against visiting Eagle Pass gave PSJA a first down, and less than a minute later wide receiver senior Miguel Flores caught a ball in stride thrown by fellow senior Trey Guajardo for a 50-yard score. The two-point conversion was good, the game was knotted at 28.
The 30-6A district champion Bears had momentum heading into overtime but the visiting Eagles were composed, resilient and a 21-yard touchdown pass from Ricardo Luna to Oscar Castillon became the game-winning points.
Eagle Pass prevailed 34-28 in overtime to advance to the area round against bi-district victors Brownsville Hanna.
“It hurts a little bit but I’m just proud of the way we came out and fought toward the end,” Guajardo said. “They never gave up toward the end. I gave them a little motivation at halftime that ‘We’re in this game, we’re here for a reason, there’s no doubt.’ Hats off to Eagle Pass, they played a great game.”
Guajardo was not at 100 percent all night; neither were many of his teammates.
The Bears lost a lineman and Marco Guajardo battled through an obvious ankle injury that was limiting his mobility. Miguel Flores played hurt until he had to leave the game during PSJA’s overtime drive.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t want to be part of another team,” Trey Guajardo said. “Here with coach Lupe (Rodriguez) and here with the Bears, I’ve had a great four years. It’s been a great ride.”
Eagle Pass jumped out to an early lead after stopping PSJA on a fourth-down attempt on its own side of the field.
Even after the Bears tied the game and took a 10-7 lead on a 42-yard Jared DeLeon field goal, Eagle Pass kept coming in the first half.
“It was a tough game, we knew PSJA is a district champion, they’re a very strong football team,” Eagle Pass coach Tom Gonzalez said. “We knew we had to play one of our best games of the year. I think our kids came out on fire in the first half.”
Eagle Pass quarterback Ricardo Luna was a difference maker all night. In the first half, he hit Rey Mendoza on similar fade routes from 29 yards in the first quarter and 22 in the second.
He finished the night with four touchdown passes, including the winner.
Junior running back J.R. Vasquez was important for the Bears. He scored the first two touchdowns for PSJA, including one in the final minutes of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 21-17 at the break.
“The way we rebounded from the first half, we knew we were struggling a little bit,” Guajardo said. “We knew that’s an opportunity. For us seniors, we knew this was an important game not only for us but for our families. With my family right now, it really hit me a little bit.”
Trey Guajardo was knocked out of the game for one drive in the fourth, but returned the next series with under five minutes to play.
“He was cramping real bad and that last drive he told me ‘Coach no, the team needs us, let’s go – let’s score,’” Rodriguez said of his quarterback. “I had no doubt he was going to come back, no matter how hurt he was. I knew he didn’t want to end his career on the sideline.”
The late game-tying drive was set up by Jared DeLeon’s second field goal of the night to make the score 28-20. PSJA defensive back Andrew Listz gave the Bears a huge lift with their first takeaway, an interception near midfield.
Guajardo had 357 passing yards. Not surprisingly both Flores and Marco Guajardo each had over 100 receiving yards, Marco led the way with 184.
Marco was his cousin Trey’s go-to target most of the night and frequently got the ball when the Bears needed a first.
“That’s the bond that few teams have,” Trey Guajardo said. “There’s no doubt that I’m going to miss playing with these guys, Marco especially. The bond that we had on and off the field was amazing, we knew each other like the back of our hand.”
Unfortunately for PSJA the season ended on a rare missed connection between the pair. Trey had Marco available on a slant route but the ball was behind the speedy receiver.
“It’s been a very special year and year long our kids have stepped up to the challenge,” Rodriguez said. “Tonight was a challenge. I told them it was going to be a battle. It’s the playoffs and everybody is going to come ready to play. I’m real proud of them. I’m not proud of the outcome but I am proud of their performance tonight.”