GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Sharyland Pioneer is “little brother” no more. Now, the Diamondbacks are out to earn a new moniker: District 31-5A champion.
Pioneer knocked off sister school Sharyland High for the first time on Friday, riding a familiar formula of stout defense and second-half running to a 28-14 win at Richard Thompson Stadium.
“Our kids are tired of hearing about the little brother,” Pioneer coach Jason Wheeler said. “We have a lot of respect for them, but we didn’t see ourselves as a little brother, and I don’t think we played like a little brother tonight.”
The win, coupled with Rio Grande City’s 14-13 upset victory against Laredo Nixon, leaves Pioneer, Sharyland High and Nixon in a three-way tie at 4-1 in District 31-5A. Nixon owns a 24-10 win against Pioneer and will face Sharyland High next week.
“That throws everything into the shuffle,” Wheeler said. “If we keep winning, who knows?”
Christian Rivera led the way for the Diamondbacks, rushing 22 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Pioneer as a team picked up 278 yards on the ground, including 191 in the second half. Rivera also did his best work late, rushing 12 times for 101 yards and two scores after the break.
His 22-yard touchdown with 8:58 to play in the third quarter broke a 14-14 halftime tie, and his 57-yard scamper on the first play of the fourth quarter stretched the advantage to 28-14.
“I’ve been working hard,” Rivera said. “Every practice, I run extra sprints so I can get better and push myself harder. They had an awesome team. I just broke a couple tackles and that long run. The Lord was with me on my side, and I did good tonight.”
Diamondbacks quarterback Jacob Rosales threw the ball just three times after halftime, finishing the game 11 of 18 for 115 yards with a touchdown. He was also a major factor in the run game, toting the ball 12 times for 78 yards. Michael Benavides, the quicker back to complement Rivera’s power game, finished with 12 rushes for 48 yards.
Wheeler said he had hoped the Diamondbacks would be able to use their improved offensive line to wear down the Rattlers’ smaller defense, in the meantime keeping Sharyland High’s explosive offense off the field.
“The offensive line has done a great job, and it’s been a good formula for us,” Wheeler said. “Play defense, run the ball in the second half and try to get a win.”
Even with leading tackler Jesus Sanchez leaving the game in the first quarter due to a concussion, Pioneer’s defense held strong. Blake Klein scored two rushing touchdowns for the Rattlers and quarterback Alan Alvarez threw for 226 yards, but the Rattlers as a team picked up just 106 yards in the second half.
Once known as only a defensive unit, Pioneer has evolved into a “complete team,” Wheeler said. The offense amassed 393 total yards, and Bobby Acosta scored a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown.
Alec Garcia also had a big game, hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and later snagging an interception as he filled in for an injured cornerback.
“This means a lot to us,” Garcia said. “Just playing, as brothers. Our team is great. I love my team. They help me, and I help them. It’s all about that.”
Wheeler said he had to pick his team up after Sharyland High had tied the game heading into the break, reminding them of the battles they’d faced to this point in the season.
Before Friday, the third-year program had lost to Sharyland High 58-6 in 2014 and 18-10 last season.
“The kids just kept believing,” Wheeler said. “We have a great leadership, our senior class. We wanted to make history today.”