NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — La Joya High quietly won its first two games with lopsided scores against La Joya Palmview and Roma. But nothing was quiet about the Coyotes’ 31-7 road win over Sharyland High on Friday night at Richard Thompson Stadium.
The Coyotes defense was loud with three takeaways. Two fumble recoveries and an interception suffocated the Rattlers’ attempts to bounce back from their overtime loss at McAllen Memorial a week prior.
“I feel like we shocked a lot of people tonight. I feel like people shouldn’t doubt us anymore,” Coyotes senior quarterback J.R. Rodriguez said after the game. “I feel like we made a statement for ourselves and for our team and for our city.”
The first time the Rattlers offense had a chance to field the ball, they muffed the punt return and gave away possession deep on their own side of the field.
Irvin Zamora, who plays on both sides of the ball for La Joya, said early turnovers are crucial.
“If we put a team completely down, it puts our offense in a great spot to score and makes us better as a whole team,” Zamora said. “We have to set the tone every time we put the defense out there and give our offense a good chance to score.”
Eddie Villarreal ran in La Joya’s first score from 15 yards out, and he did it again from 13 yards, refusing to be brought down. Before the night was through, he went over 160 rushing yards and became accustomed to dragging defenders with him for extra yardage.
“We’re just blessed to have him,” Coyotes coach Reuben Farias said. “(He’s) a great athlete — great young man. He works hard every day. A lot of time, people don’t give him the credit that he deserves. He knows he’s going to get hit.”
Villarreal was helped in the run game by A.J. Gonzalez, who had 47 yards and earned multiple first downs with his outside runs. Anselmo Davila picked up carries when Villarreal was on the bench and muscled for another 33 yards.
Rodriguez was involved with his arm again, finding a receiver for a touchdown for the third straight game.
After missing a few throws in the early moments, Rodriguez found his targets three times on eight attempts. Two of those completions went for six points.
Jacob Gonzalez scored on a 16-yard reception. So did Zamora, catching the ball near the 15-yard line and juking his way into the end zone.
By halftime, the lead was 24-0 for La Joya.
“I believe that they’re so united and together,” Farias said. “It’s not who gets the glory. It’s just all of them working together and trusting one another and playing hard to have a win.”
Even La Joya’s kicker was strong. Sergio Jimenez’s 33-yard field goal soared through the uprights and might have been good from another 20 yards back.
Sharyland continued to use a two-quarterback approach. Oscar Valdez got the start and played for most of the game. Edgar Longoria also got snaps, but not until the second half.
The lone score for the Rattlers was a pass from Valdez to receiver Ruben Davila.