DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — For the second consecutive week, Sharyland Pioneer’s defense stole the show against a District 31-5A playoff contender.
After producing a second-half shutout of Mission Veterans Memorial in a 30-14 win last week, Pioneer enjoyed a riveting encore, blanking upstart Rio Grande City in the second half of Friday’s 27-10 win at Richard Thompson Stadium.
Trailing 10-7 at halftime, Pioneer (4-2, 3-1 31-5A) forced four Rio Grande City (5-2, 3-2) turnovers in the second half, five in all. The Rattlers mustered just seven second-half yards on 19 plays.
“We thought they’d run the ball a little bit more to start, but they threw,” Pioneer coach Jason Wheeler said. “So we had to hit them up more, be aggressive, play some man and not play soft coverage. The bottom line is we were able to get to the quarterback.
“They were picking us apart in the zones and we just had to come at them.”
Rio Grande City indeed played well offensively in the first half, compiling 176 yards via nice balance of run and pass. Quarterback Jason Perez picked and chose his spots with ease, completing 11 of 17 passes to six different receivers.
But the second half was a totally different story. Perez threw an interception on the opening drive, setting up a tying field goal for Pioneer’s Edgar Lozano. After two straight RGC three-and-outs sandwiched a Pioneer touchdown that gave it the lead for good, Perez threw another interception that led to another Lozano field goal and a 20-10 Pioneer lead.
Pioneer defensive back Anthony Jimenez, who collected one of three interceptions for the Diamondbacks, said “stemming” was big for the defense. “Stemming” is a pre-snap defensive motion when the defense changes from one formation to another to confuse the quarterback.
It worked. Perez rushed throws and the offense never had time for anything to develop after the snap.
“We had to come out fast and bring the pressure,” Jimenez said. “We played as fast as possible. We did a better job disguising coverage and we did a better job making open-field tackles.”
The Rattlers completed just 2 of 12 passes in the second half, one fewer completion than interceptions. The running game was non-existent as well. Rio Grande City amassed negative-8 yards on seven carries in the second half, and had just 37 on 26, respectively, overall.
“They brought a lot of pressure,” RGC coach Aaron Garcia said. “There was no timing for us. The quarterbacks were pretty much on the ropes the whole time.”
Garcia used two quarterbacks in the second half, removing Perez for Armando Gonzalez in the fourth quarter. Nothing worked, and the defense, which played well all night, eventually wore down.
The Diamondbacks’ 5.1 yards per play were fine, but because they had more possessions, it was only a matter of time before an athletic, quick offense capitalized — like on a 38-yard scoring catch by William Proctor and 63-yard score by Alec Garcia, both in the second half.
“Our goals are still in front of us,” Aaron Garcia said. “We’re not out of it by any means. We just have to get ready for Nixon and go one game at a time like we’ve been doing all season.”
The Diamondbacks now get Sharyland High. The Rattlers are 4-0 in 31-5A, 5-1 overall, and on a five game winning streak after taking care of Laredo Cigarroa on Friday.
“We’re super hyped for that game,” Pioneer defensive end Luis Castillo said. “We love that school and we’re happy they’re doing good, too. But we really want it. It’s our time right now. It’s just time.”
Pioneer is hoping it can get into the district title conversation with a win over its big brother next week.
“This win wasn’t make-or-break, but I told our kids if we win this game our percentages of making the playoffs just went up dramatically,” Wheeler said. “Now if we beat Martin and Valley View, we’re in. Now we can relax against Sharyland and go after them because it won’t break or make us.
“That’s going to be a show and we’re looking forward to it.”