By ROY HESS | The Brownsville Herald
It took a comeback effort by the Edinburg Economedes Jaguars to win their season opener 19-14 against the Hanna Golden Eagles on Friday night at Brownsville’s Sams Memorial Stadium.
Economedes running back Sonny Castillo bulled his way up the middle for 3 yards to get into the end zone with 7:41 remaining to put his team back into the lead for good by five points, 19-14, and give the Jaguars their second straight season-opening victory over the Eagles.
Economedes defeated Hanna 41-10 a year ago in Edinburg to open the season en route to a 7-4 campaign that included a trip to the playoffs. Hanna is coming off a 3-7 season.
“This was a great win for us and we can keep on going if we just believe in each other,” Economedes quarterback Albert Guerra said. “It feels very good to get this one. Our linemen were getting their blocks and our running backs were behind them and finding the holes. And as far as passing, our receivers did all they could do (to help us get the win).
“We received great competition from Brownsville and we have a lot of respect for them,” Guerra added. “They played with all they had. They’re a good team.”
Hanna took the lead 14-7 at the 6:45 mark of the third quarter when reserve sophomore QB Victor Campos scored on a 6-yard run and then threw a two-point conversion pass to running back Cesar Mancias.
Mancias led all rushers in the game with 139 yards.
Economedes closed the gap to 14-13 with 2:21 showing in the third quarter as Guerra went in on a 1-yard keeper. But the extra point sailed wide, leaving the Jaguars trailing by a point.
Both teams moved into scoring position in the final period and the Jaguars were the ones to eventually prevail on Castillo’s 3-yard run up the middle with 7:41 left. A try for two points failed, but Economedes was still in the lead to stay.
“The first thing I told these guys after the ballgame was that I was so proud of their effort,” Hanna coach Mark Guess said. “I think that’s where we’re turning the corner from last year to this year is our effort across the board.
“Yes, we made some mistakes, but those mistakes came when the guys were going 100 miles per hour and giving it their all,” he added. “Giving that type of effort is all you can ask.”
Wide receiver Pete Segura, who finished with six receptions for 104 yards, caught a 21-yard scoring pass from Guerra at the 10:49 mark of the second quarter as the Jaguars took a 7-0 advantage. Hanna got to within 7-6 on a 77-yard interception return of a Guerra pass by Eagles’ free safety Matthew Garcia with 1:12 left before halftime. The extra point failed, leaving Hanna down a point at intermission.
Campos’ 6-yard TD run and two-point conversion pass with 6:45 to go in the third quarter gave the Eagles their 14-7 edge before the Jaguars’ comeback.
Hanna starting quarterback Joe Cavazos III missed the game due to an injury.