DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
After losing two of three games in an intense Pool H field on Friday, Mercedes completed its stint at the state 7 on 7 football tournament in College Station with one of the best finishes for a Rio Grande Valley program.
The Tigers went 3-1 in the consolation bracket on Saturday, topping McAllen Memorial (39-25), Mesquite (26-13) and Sharyland Pioneer (32-13) before falling to consolation runner-up A&M Consolidated, 48-6.
Mercedes’ run was the best for a Valley team at the state 7-on-7 tournament since Weslaco High reached the consolation semis in 2013. The best run by a Valley team came in 2007, when San Benito upended McAllen Rowe in the consolation championship game.
The Tigers finished 4-3 at state this year.
“We knew we were going to play some big dogs and we were excited to show the state what Mercedes is all about,” junior quarterback Zach Gomez said. “Our goal when this all started in March was to make it here and do well. For it to all fold out like it did, it was a great experience and I know these guys will die for one another.”
Gomez and junior linebacker Roger Adame III credited a 21-20 loss to DeSoto on Friday for their success on Saturday. The Tigers came a two-point conversion short of upsetting the north Texas powerhouse.
“We played two close games Friday,” Adame said. “DeSoto could’ve gone either way and we just fell short. It didn’t go our way. Today, we played with a lot of confidence after that game.”
Added Gomez: “I feel like it boosted our confidence and it showed us we can hang with the big dogs. It was on me, honestly. I was trying to call a play that would get one of my guys open and it came up short. Held the ball too long. That’s how it goes sometimes.”
After the DeSoto game, Gomez said the team gathered at its hotel to discuss routes and what was working and what wasn’t. Saturday, that was the difference. The chemistry on the field was stronger. Routes were run sharper and Gomez’s timing was on point.
“We just have to be a bit quicker and faster, and I have to make reads faster,” Gomez said. “If we do that, we’ll be OK.”
This was Mercedes’ fifth appearance at the state tournament. Once two-a-days start in August, the Tigers will likely be contenders for the District 32-5A championship, which they fell a win shy of last season.
With 12 sophomores seeing significant playing time last season, Mercedes has the core, and now the experience, to compete for its second district title in three years.
“There are a lot of guys out here that can ball,” Adame said. “It’s going to take a lot to get there and compete with them. We wanted all five games to get to the championship, but it didn’t happen. Once we found out we’re in consolation, we just wanted to do the best we could. We’re proud of the accomplishment, but it’s just more motivation going forward.”
In consolation play Saturday, McAllen Memorial’s loss to Mercedes finished its state stay. The Mustangs went 1-3 at the tournament in their first state appearance since 2002.
Sharyland Pioneer, making its debut at the state tournament, went 2-1 in consolation Saturday, beating El Paso Eastwood 41-20 and Clear Brook 41-38 before losing to the Tigers. The Diamondbacks went 2-4 at state.