By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Porter Cowboys saw their season abruptly come to an end Thursday after a positive COVID-19 test forced them to forfeit a play-in game.
Porter (3-2, 2-2, third in East Zone) was scheduled to face the McAllen Rowe Warriors (3-3, 3-1, second in West Zone) on Saturday at Sams Memorial Stadium in a District 16-5A Division I zone crossover, with the winner advancing to the playoffs. Instead, Cowboys coach Carlos Uresti had to deliver the news of the forfeit to his team virtually, bringing the careers of a big senior class to a close.
“We won’t be able to play the game, per district administration. We had a kid test positive, so we won’t be able to participate,” Uresti said. “It’s very unfortunate and it was tough for the kids, and it was tough for me to have that conversation with them on the screen instead of in person. I feel robbed of a lot of things, more importantly I feel the kids got robbed of a lot. But it’s the times we’re in. It was a tough conversation to have, but the beautiful thing about football is it teaches lessons about life, and this is one of them.”
Four-year starting quarterback Kevin Garcia headlines a senior class that started its Porter career as Uresti took over the program. Running back Brian Franco, defensive back/receiver Gabriel Gonzalez, receiver Brandon Reta, offensive lineman Victor Ramos and defensive back Jose Charles are other key seniors Uresti felt had the Cowboys “knocking on the door” to elevate the program.
Every Porter touchdown scored this season was tied to Garcia. He threw for 749 yards and six touchdowns. and rushed for a team-high 461 yards and all seven of the team’s rushing scores. Franco rushed for 205 yards on 51 carries, Gonzalez tabbed 21 receptions for 224 yards and one touchdown, and Reta hauled in 16 catches for 200 yards and two scores.
“You always look forward to giving that final hug to your seniors and things like that,” Uresti said. “Especially for these seniors that have gone through a lot with me, from my first season going 0-10 to being .500 last year to trying to stay above .500 this year. It’s very unfortunate and it’s the worst time it could have happened to us, when we’re trying to fight for a spot in the playoffs.”