BY KEVIN NARRO | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
DONNA — Coming off a heartbreaking loss earlier in the week to Donna North, Donna High needed a win in regulation and a Donna North loss in regulation to clinch a playoff berth in District 32-5A.
Brownsville Pace overcame the rain and kept its postseason hopes alive with a 2-0 win against Donna High on Friday night at Bennie LaPrade Stadium.
Donna High sits on the outside looking in with one game remaining in the regular season. The Redskins fell to 6-7 holding steady at 17 points.
Pace is now in fourth place with a 6-7 record and 19 points. Meanwhile, Donna North lost in penalty kicks against district leading Brownsville Veterans but gained a point, putting the team at 17 points and tied with Donna for fifth place.
The playoff race will come down to the final week of the regular season. Donna North plays Mercedes, Pace will face Brownsville Lopez and Donna will square off against Brownsville Veterans. It’s a three-horse race with one playoff spot left.
“I feel we have the talent to compete,” Donna coach Mario Hernandez said. “Tonight we out-shot them, we just failed to put points on the board. The weather had nothing to do with the way we played. It was the same for both teams. Next week, everything is on the line for us. Anything can happen. It’s a playoff game for us. I don’t plan on changing anything. I just need to prepare these kids for next week and put everything on the line.”
The last time Pace and Donna High hooked up, Donna escaped 4-2 in double overtime in Brownsville. This time around, Pace not only overcame mother nature, but dampened the Redskins’ parents night.
Pace wasted no time, with Juan Zapata taking advantage on a free kick to give the Vikings an early 1-0 advantage. Eduardo Ramirez would give Pace a 2-0 lead in the 24th minute of the first half. The two first-half goals would prove to be enough, as the Vikings defense completed the shutout.