MERCEDES – The Mercedes Tigers escaped with a 41-34 victory in a nail-biter against the Floresville Tigers on Friday night at Tiger Stadium.
Following a Floresville touchdown, Mercedes took possession at the 32-yard line with 5:38 left in the game. On the first play of the drive, junior quarterback Michael Cisneros broke loose for a 40-yard run to set his team up in enemy territory.
Four plays later, facing a fourth-and-one, junior running back Miguel Jimenez broke free for what would be the game-winning 19-yard touchdown run.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Mercedes head coach Roger Adame said. “They have an explosive offense with playmakers all over the field. We knew we were going to go punch-for-punch. We knew it was going to be a tough task slowing down number five. So, we just told them, ‘You have two quarters to be a champion for the rest of your life.’. Last week we fell short of district. But bi-district is a lot sweeter than a district championship.”
Early in the game the Mercedes defense had a hard time containing Floresville running back Dareion Murphy, who exploded for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half.
Despite its struggles slowing down Murphy, the Mercedes defense made key opportunistic plays in the first half, including a huge goal line stance which saw them strip the stud running back at the 2-yard line before sophomore safety Allan Gonzalez returned the ball 85 yards to the 13-yard line.
The Mercedes offense capitalized off the turnover two plays later as Cisneros punched it in from 2-yards out to give his team a 13-10 lead with 6:32 left in the half. The teams would exchange touchdowns on the two ensuing drives as Murphy broke off a 56-yard touchdown run for Floresville and sophomore wide receiver Tyrell Trevino made his way to the endzone on a 6-yard run.
With Floresville driving late in the half to take the lead, it was once again the Mercedes defense coming up big as junior defensive back went up and snagged the ball out of the air at the 4-yard line to end the drive and sending his team with a 20-17 lead at the half.
The offensive explosion continued into the second half as the teams exchanged touchdowns in the third including a 16-yard scamper by Mercedes senior wide receiver Josiah Cantu.
With Floresville taking the lead late in third following a 2-yard touchdown run by Murphy, Mercedes answered early in the fourth as Cisneros led his team down the field with his leg before Jimenez capped off the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run.
Floresville added a field goal with 5:38 left in the game to tie the game before Cisneros went to work on offense to give his team the lead. In the end, it was Mercedes defense coming up with the huge stop.
Facing a third and fifteen, Floresville attempted to get the ball to their stud running back on a screen pass. Once again it was Salas coming up huge stopping Murphy for no gain. Following an incomplete pass, Mercedes took over and lined up in victory formation for the final play of the game.
Up next for Mercedes (6-1, 3-1) is Leander Rouse (8-1, 7-0) in a time and date to be determined.