BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — PSJA North entered Thursday’s game against Edinburg Economedes riding high on the power of reserve players. During two consecutive wins, backups like center Roy Palacios filled in for their injured teammates with gusto and ease.
But this was the Jaguars, a tough and physical bunch that entered Cats Stadium with the best statistical defense in District 31-6A, allowing 238 yards per game. For North coach Jorge Peña, it was time for the Raiders to bite the bullet.
“It’s hard times right now,” Peña said. “I’ve got a different center, a different guard, a different tackle. My inside linemen were limping around, my defensive ends couldn’t go at full speed, but they found a way to win.”
Despite key athletes like linebackers Jacob Rodriguez and Edward Peña playing at less than 100 percent, North did as it is accustomed to doing this season: gobbling 428 yards on offense and lighting up the scoreboard en route to a 31-15 victory.
But while the box score indicates another high-scoring affair built on quickness and nimble athleticism, the Raiders bullied their way to a win by employing a double-tight set for the first time this season.
“I knew we didn’t have to speed to compete with (Econ’s) defense,” Peña said. “So we went big, and I knew it would force them to balance up. And I knew that we were going to be able to get helmets on them, and when we got helmets on them, we wore them out.”
North (4-4, 3-1) gained 276 rushing yards on the ground, and were led by Bo Adams with 129 yards and a pair of scores on 17 carries. Adams, who splits time between receiver and running back, moved to quarterback during the second half after starter Darren Fuentes left the game with a bum shoulder.
“He got his hand hurt, and at one point he couldn’t feel his shoulder anymore,” Peña said. “So we went with Bo, who has been making plays for us all season. He’s a fantastic athlete.”
But Fuentes was effective in his own right before succumbing to injuries. During the first three quarters, the junior ran for 93 yards and a touchdown while completing 4-of-5 passing attempts for 37 yards.
The Jaguars (3-4, 1-2), scored first, going 67 yards in 12 plays before running back Allen Arredondo walked into the end zone from 4 yards out to put Econ up 7-0 with 4:45 left in the first quarter.
From there, however, it was all North. Tight end Bear Estrada punched it in from the 1-yard line to tie the game with 41 seconds left in the opening quarter. Kicker Raul Jerez broke the tie with 33-yard field goal to put the Raiders up 10-7 in the second quarter. Later, a bad snap on a punt attempt in North’s end zone resulted in a safety for Econ, but that would be the last major hiccup for the Raiders.
In the second half, Fuentes ran in from the 2-yard line to make it 17-9, before a pair of Bo Adams scores in the fourth quarter put the Raiders’ victory on ice.
THE NUMBERS GAME
Bear Estrada changed jersey numbers, going from 54 to 93 due to his position move from linebacker to tight end. While Estrada’s sizable frame is traditionally used on goal-and-short situations, he spent part of Thursday’s game running sweep routs, catching two passes for 29 yards and picking a key first down when the game was still close.
“We came up with a new formation,” Estrada said. “I don’t think they were ready for it. We executed it well…. It’s the first time this season we’ve ever run that play for me. We ran this last year though, so I’m pretty comfortable with it.”
Estrada finished the game with eight rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries.
FUMBLING IT AWAY
Econ’s offense played to mixed results throughout the night. Of their 10 possessions, the Jaguars were forced to punt five times, including a trio of three-and-outs.
On the occasions where Econ’s run game was able to move the ball, they were plagued by turnovers. Of the Jaguars’ three fumbles, two of them occurred in the red zone, including an unforced turnover by running back Allen Arredondo on North’s 4-yard line.
Arredondo finished the game with 139 rushing yards and a score on 21 carries, but fumbled the ball twice. He was not the lone perpetrator for Econ, however. The Jaguars wide receivers dropped two passes when they were wide open for would-be scores.
Econ running back Charlie Vela, who ran the ball twice for 20 yards, suffered an apparent leg injury during the fourth quarter and did not return.
UP NEXT
PSJA North has a short week entering Week 9, when they host Weslaco East (5-1, 3-0) at PSJA Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 22. The Wildcats are on their bye this week.
Economedes will play Edinburg High (1-6, 1-2) on Friday, Oct. 23 at Cats Stadium.