MISSION — Mission Veterans quarterback Ricky Reyna accounted for three first-half touchdowns, as the Patriots cruised past the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks 35-0 on Thursday at Richard Thompson Stadium.
Reyna opened the scoring for the Patriots using his legs, finding pay dirt from one yard out twice during the first quarter.
He added a touchdown through the air with 6:16left during the half, connecting with senior wideout Marckopolo Cavazos for a 20-yard strike.
Reyna finished with 219 yards and one touchdown through the air, adding three scores on the ground.
Cavazos paced the Patriots’ passing attack, hauling in eight receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown.
The Patriots’ defense held the Diamondbacks’ offense in check all night, limiting them to less than 100 total yards, while coming away with six turnovers.
Senior Mark Champion and linebacker Luis De Hoyos terrorized the Diamondbacks’ backfield, swarming to ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage.
With that, the Patriots improve to 6-1 in district play, needing one more win to lock up a share of the district crown and the No. 1 seed in District 16-5A DII.
The Patriots (6-3, 6-1) close out the regular season next Thursday, traveling to PSJA ISD Stadium in Pharr for a contest against PSJA Memorial (1-7, 1-5). Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks (5-4, 4-3) wrap up their 2021 campaign Friday, Nov. 5, hosting the Mercedes Tigers (8-1, 6-1) at Richard Thompson Stadium.