MERCEDES — Mercedes and La Feria played under a blanket of rain Friday night at the newly renovated Tiger Stadium.
The Tigers (1-2) took advantage of the wet weather and ran straight at the Lions (2-1) defense for a 21-6 victory — their first of the 2015 season.
Mercedes quarterback Zack Gomez gave the the Tigers an early 7-0 lead. With 17 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Gomez tucked the ball under his arm and punched his way into the end zone on a quarterback keeper.
However that wouldn’t be the last of him. After a 35-yard punt return, Gomez found pay dirt again with 5:50 remaining on the clock to put Mercedes up 14-0 heading into the half.
In the third quarter it was more of the same for Mercedes. With rain continuing to wreak havoc, La Feria quaterback Isaac Galpin misshandled a punt return and was brought down at his own 35-yard line, giving the Tigers a short field.
D.J. Saenz and Fabian Ledesma marched down the field and extended the lead to 21-0 Tigers.
The pass-happy Lions’ offense sputtered all evening as the wet conditions gave receivers nightmares. However that did not stop the Lions from getting on the board.
Next week the Lions travel to Mission and take on undefeated Sharyland Pioneer.
The Tigers are off next Friday, but take on Brownsville Pace on Sept. 24 in their District 32-5A opener.