By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — It was well worth the wait.
Los Fresnos had to wait an extra day to do battle with the PSJA North Raiders due to heavy rains that pushed back the game originally scheduled for Friday. The Falcons started slow but built a 14-point lead by halftime and used that advantage to defeat PSJA North 27-13 during a non-district game in Week 3 on Saturday at Leo Aguilar Stadium.
“It throws your rhythm off when you expected to play (Friday) night,” Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said. “Your emotions are high, (PSJA North) had to deal with that, too. I’m just glad our guys were able to respond enough to get the ‘W.’”
Los Fresnos took advantage of its scoring opportunities early, and the defense took care of the rest. The Falcons put pressure on the PSJA North offense constantly and gave the offensive unit good field position to work with.
Los Fresnos finally got the offense going late in the first quarter. Quarterback Rene Ortega found Pete Perez on a 19-yard touchdown pass, and Los Fresnos took a 7-0 lead.
With one minute left in the second quarter, Ortega found his target again. This time it was Tirso Cruz on a 9-yard pass for the touchdown, and the Falcons took a 14-0 lead into the half.
But it wasn’t without some tense moments. After playing under cloudy skies in the first half, the rain came out for the second half, causing handling issues. The Raiders fumbled five times, turning the ball over three times, and the Falcons fumbled four times, giving it away twice.
“We took turns making mistakes,” PSJA North coach Jorge Pena said. “The offensive line is pretty solid, but we need to eliminate the mistakes from our skill kids and be more consistent. On offense, once you make a mistake, it stalls your drive.”
The Raiders finally got on the board during the third quarter. Quarterback George Olivarez ran it in from 3 yards out for the touchdown, but the extra point was blocked.
The Falcons answered on their next drive. Ortega found Perez for another touchdown, this one a 53-yard catch and run to give Los Fresnos a 21-6 lead.
But PSJA North wasn’t finished. After the Falcons’ offense stalled, Raudel Alvarez returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown as the Raiders pulled within 21-13.
The Los Fresnos defense kept coming up big. PSJA North drove deep into Falcons territory only to fumble once again and halt the potential game-tying score. The Falcons took advantage as Ortega had a 15-yard keeper for a touchdown to put Los Fresnos up 27-13 late in the fourth quarter, sealing the victory.
“I was really happy with the way the boys came out and executed. Everything they got, they earned,” Finley said. “I’m happy with that. That’s a physical ball club that’s going to run right at you. I’m happy with the way the defense played, they showed improvement.”
Despite the loss, Pena was confident his team just needed to correct a few mistakes.
“We need to go back and iron out all those little things before district, because those are the games that count,” he said.
Finley was pleased with the team’s effort on both sides of the ball
“I’m happy with the boys,” he said. “They responded, they competed, they always came back. The defense rolled up and did their part; offense came back and did their part. It was kind of up and down, back and forth, but I’m happy with the effort from everybody.”
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.