DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — It’s quite a ride La Joya Palmview has been on, and now it has a headliner in Joel Pina.
After a program-best 2014 that resulted in their first playoff appearance and win, the Lobos have kept the momentum going. Behind Pina, a junior running back who has emerged out of nowhere, Palmview toppled PSJA Southwest 50-26 on Thursday at PSJA ISD Stadium, improving to 2-0.
“We wanted to make a statement that we’re here to play ball,” Palmview coach Margarito Requenez Jr. said. “We know they’re a tough team and we just had to execute. I loved what I saw tonight.”
The Lobos produced 12.9 yards per carry and 504 rushing yards, 261 coming from Pina. Pina scored four touchdowns, and in two games this season he has 498 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
“The holes were there and I took advantage,” Pina said. “I’m making the right cuts, I’m making the right reads. All the work I’ve put in, it’s paying off.
“The No. 1 thing on our mind is doing something special. Last year was last year. This year is a new year and we’re just trying to do something with it.”
PSJA Southwest (1-1) trailed 14-7 early in the second quarter and had an opportunity to cut into it. But Hugo Pena missed a 32-yard field goal, and two plays later Pina broke a 76-yard run that was essentially the backbreaker.
“I always knew he was special,” Requenez said of Pina. “It was just about letting him loose. We’re just letting him play football.”
The Lobos got contributions from everywhere. Misal Guerra had 144 rushing yards, and Jorge Flores, Miguel Gama and Arturo Gutierrez, a lineman, also found the end zone.
“We’re sticking to our running game,” Gutierrez said. “We know what works for us. Whoever is in the backfield, they do whatever it takes to score. It’s a lot of fun.”
It was enough to overcome a strong night by Southwest senior running back Jesus Acosta, who had 200 yards and four touchdowns. But other than quarterback Darren Estrada, who had 106 yards on six carries, Acosta did not have enough help in a game Southwest coach Jesus Reyes said would be a good test of where his team stands.
“I saw we need a lot of work,” Reyes said. “But we had a great opponent, and I wouldn’t doubt if they came out district champs (in 30-6A). We had a great opportunity playing against an opponent that will get us ready for teams like Donna, Mercedes and Edcouch-Elsa in our district, and they just executed real well.”
POSITIVE SIGNS
Reyes said he liked what he saw from his team in play-action offense, particularly with Estrada’s ability to make plays on the run.
Estrada, who hasn’t played quarterback since the eighth grade, consistently broke contain.
“He now knows he can run it, and he’s a real threat,” Reyes said. “That confidence will go a long way.”
TOUGH COVER
Southwest totaled 442 yards, and for good reason. Requenez said the Javelinas are a difficult cover with their nasty slot-T offense.
“When we needed the stops, we got them,” Requenez said. “You have to give them credit. That’s a hard team to prepare for on a short week. They do all the multiple formations and shifting. We just tried our best.”
UP NEXT
PSJA Southwest hosts Grulla at 7 Thursday night in the Javelinas’ final non-district game of the season.
La Joya Palmview hosts Rio Grande City at 7:30 Friday night.