By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
It took a half, but Los Fresnos found its offensive stride when it counted.
Falcons running back Isaac Moreno scored two rushing touchdowns during the second half as Los Fresnos broke a scoreless tie and went on to defeat Brownsville Veterans Memorial 21-0 in District 32-6A action Friday night at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium in Los Fresnos.
The defenses for both Brownsville Veterans and Los Fresnos were stout during the first half, but the Falcons finally got going behind Morenoafter halftime.
The junior running back broke free for a 40-yard touchdown run to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead, and, on the next Los Fresnos drive, Pierce Ruiz found the end zone after a 13-yard run to give Los Fresnos a 14-0 lead.
Later, Morenofound paydirt again after a 1-yard plunge during the fourth quarter to give the Falcons a 21-0 advantage.
“Isaac has grown up a lot since the beginning of the year,” Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said. “He had a little fumble-itis there early on, but he’s matured, he understands what to do, he’s focused. I think the game has slowed down for him. He’s been able to go out there and focus on what’s important, and that’s to take care of the football, he’s always run hard. It’s just a matter of taking care of that ball, and he’s been doing it ever since then.”
Morenofinished with 105 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Ruiz gained 84 yards and one score on 19 carries and connected on 4 of 8 throws for 35 yards and an interception for the Falcons.
Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said the Falcons made the necessary changes at halftime.
“Los Fresnos went to a power-type run game and were really effective, getting 5, 6 yards at a time,” he said. “And they were able to break it (for a touchdown). We had a couple of turnovers that made it difficult to overcome because it put us in bad field position.”
Finley said the Falcons’ halftime adjustments were minor but ultimately the key to the game.
“We moved a guy around here and there. It gave us the confidence and the strength to do what we needed to do,” he said. “We did it, it was working and we rode it to the end.”
The Falcons’ defense was tough all night, forcing three Chargers turnovers — two fumbles and an interception — all in the second half. The defense also kept the Chargers’offense out of the end zone with a goal-line stand late in the third quarter after Brownsville Veterans had a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line.
Los Fresnos’ Fabian Rodriguez intercepted the Chargers pass that set up the second Falcons’ touchdown and blocked a field goal during the first half to help preserve the shutout.
With the loss, the third straight in district play for Brownsville Veterans (5-4, 3-3), the Chargers need to get a win next week for a chance at the postseason.
“We knew it was going to be tough, both our kids and their kids played extremely hard, I’m proud of our effort,” Cantu said. “We struggled to finish off drives tonight, but that’s part of football.
“It’s time for us to regroup. Our playoff chances are still alive. We have to put a plan together and go out and have fun next week.”
Derrik Rodriguez led the Chargers with 100 yards on 21 carries and completed 1 of 2 passes for 9 yards.
The victory should wrap up a postseason berth for the Falcons (6-3, 4-2), but Finley has no plans to relax in the season finale.
“Hanna has a good football team, and we’re going to have our hands full,” he said. “We’re going over there, and if you’re not ready to go you’ll get embarrassed. Just like we did last week.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.