STAFF REPORT
McAllen Rowe’s Lalo Bosquez bruised his way into the end zone for the winning score in overtime at La Joya ISD Stadium Friday night.
The running score came in the bottom of the first overtime after La Joya had kicked a field goal. Rowe (5-4, 3-3) walked off the field winners 35-31 in overtime over La Joya High (6-3, 3-3).
“It was a battle from start to finish,” Rowe coach Bobby Flores said. “The Coyotes are a tough team, it could have gone either way, we’re happy it went our way.”
Sophomore James Gamez had a strong night at quarterback in for injured Warriors QB Jonas Ortiz. Ruben Salinas did what he does best, make a tough catch and score a touchdown. Ruben Saenz also had a receiving touchdown for Rowe.
Lorenzo Lopez also had a one-yard touchdown run.
“I had to give credit to my coaching staff,” Flores said. “They got these kids going after we had some kids go down. They worked extremely hard to get a game plan ready and a couple of our young kids stepped up. Gamez came in and started tonight, played the whole game and did a great job running our offense.”
Rowe’s defense did what they could to limit powerful Coyotes running back Eddie Villarreal. The defense made an impact earning extra possessions.
“I don’t want to forget about our defense,” Flores said. “They had several turnovers. They had an interception return to the house by Jorge Pena. Josiah Alonzo had an interception at middle linebacker.”
Rowe had a 28-14 lead but La Joya stormed back to tie the game. In the final minute, the Warriors had a chance to win in regulation but the Coyotes defense stopped the red zone opportunity.
La Joya took the lead in OT after a Sergio Jimenez kick but Rowe was able to manage more points in the extra period.
Both teams now have 3-3 records heading into Week 11. The Warriors play 4-2 McAllen Memorial while La Joya faces 4-2 Mission High.
District 30-6A
McAllen High 14, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 10: At McAllen: Only one team could emerge out of Friday’s contest between La Joya Juarez-Lincoln and McAllen High with their first district win.
McAllen High (2-7, 1-6) did everything in their power to make sure they were the team celebrating after their homecoming game at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“It was special for our kids,” McHi coach Kevin Brewer said. “We won the second game of the year and that was back in early September so it’s been a while. We’ve had so much adversity this year that the kids had to battle through.”
The Bulldogs won with defense and on offense, their run game finally propelled instead of hindered the unit. McHi rushed for 205 yards.
“Our defense actually has been playing very well all year and we just have been struggling on their other side of the ball. I was extremely proud we were able to limit them to 10 points,” Brewer said. “We’ve been very inconsistent running the football, really all through district. We just kept plugging away at it. We know for our offense to work we have to be able to run the football.”
Sadge Diaz and Franklin Arellano scored the rushing tallies for the Bulldogs. Joshua Briones had the lone touchdown for the Huskies (0-9, 0-7).
DISTRICT 31-6A
EDINBURG NORTH 23, EDINBURG ECONOMEDES 21: At Edinburg, the Cougars (2-7, 2-3) jumped out to a big lead on the Jaguars (4-6, 1-5), but Economedes wasn’t going to concede without a fight.
“The kids came out hot,” North coach Damien Gonzalez said. “Obviously having two weeks to prepare for a team really helps. The kids did a good job of understanding the game plan. We came out firing on all cylinders.”
All three North running backs, Jacob Peralez, Moises Maldonado and Mando Ramirez, got going early and helped to open things up for the passing attack.
The Cougars kicked things off with a field goal, before senior quarterback Maxanthony Aguilar completed touchdown passes to Tony Garcia and Roel de Leon. Despite the fast start, the Cougars’ halftime lead was just three, 17-14.
“We ate up a lot of the clock. We were able to run the ball, but we also came out throwing.” Gonzalez said. “We knew they were going to put a lot of pressure in the box, and we knew we had some favorable matchups outside. Max did a great job of getting the ball out to the receivers.”
Economedes took the lead on a touchdown from senior running back Abel Moreno, but a late field goal form senior kicker Jose Zamora sealed the game for the Cougars. Miguel Contreras had a huge kick return, and Econ shot themselves in the foot with poorly timed penalties to set up the go-ahead kick.
The winning kick came with plenty of time left, so ENHS needed a defensive stand to clinch the game.
“They made a big stop,” Gonalez said. “We put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. We flushed him out of the pocket. We defended a couple of passes extremely well.”
The win means the Cougars go into Week 11 with an outside shot to make the playoffs.
“It means a lot to the kids, and it means a lot to this program,” Gonzalez said. “We have been telling them all year, just keep doing the things that you are doing. We are doing things right, and we are headed in the right direction. It basically makes everything we have been telling them stand for something. It gives us something to play for. We have a chance, and that is all you can ask for.”
DISTRICT 16-5A DI
MISSION VETERANS 55, LA JOYA PALMVIEW 38: At Mission, sophomore wide receiver A.J. Gonzaque caught three touchdown passes in the Patriots’ victory over the Lobos (5-4, 5-3). Gonzaque’s three scores bumps his touchdown receptions to 12, which is most among any Class 5A receiver in the Valley.
In total, senior quarterback Landry Gilpin threw for six and ran in the other two. By virtue of Brownsville Pace’s loss to Brownsville Veterans, the Patriots (8-1, 8-0) locked down the outright district title on Friday night.
“We’re bringing home a gold ball which means we’re right where I think we should be at this point in the year,” Mission Veterans coach David Gilpin said. “I know we still have quite a bit of work to do to get where I think we could be, but (Brownsville) Pace has two losses, Brownsville Vets has two losses and we’re outright district champs with one game to go. That’s exciting. The kids are excited about it. I’m excited about it.”
La Joya Palmview is now tied in the loss column with Donna High, who plays its Week 10 game at Brownsville Porter this afternoon. If La Joya Palmview and Donna end the regular season with the same district record, Donna High would leapfrog the Lobos and into the playoffs.
RIO GRANDE CITY 44, PSJA SOUTHWEST 41: At Rio Grande City, the Rattlers never trailed against the Javelinas, but there were some nervous moments.
Rio Grande City (3-6, 3-5) had a 26-7 in the second quarter, but PSJA Southwest (3-6, 3-5) rallied to tie the score at 41 late in the fourth quarter.
“I remember telling our kids at halftime that they’ve (PSJA Southwest) been in a lot of games like these and won,” Rio Grande City coach Aaron Garcia said. “They’ve been in two overtime games and won one of them. We knew that they would play until the end and they did.”
Rattler kicker Joshua Vela knocked in a field goal attempt with under a minute to go in the game.
“I’m so proud of our kids,” Garcia said. “Josh had been having a little trouble after we lost our long snapper, but I told him earlier in the year that he was going to be in for a game-ending situation. The opportunity presented itself and he hit it right down the middle.”
DISTRICT 16-5A DII
SHARYLAND PIONEER 27, ROMA 7: At Mission, the Diamondbacks (6-3, 4-1) clinched the No. 2 seed for the upcoming playoffs after defeating the Gladiators (3-6, 2-3).
“Our kids came to play defensively,” Sharyland Pioneer coach Tommy Lee said. “We talked about not only securing a playoff spot, but also getting a home playoff game which we’ve never had before. We did enough to get it done on Homecoming.”
Roma, who remains in the playoff hunt, hosts Mercedes next week.
MERCEDES 21, LAREDO CIGARROA 0: At Mercedes, coach Roger Adame Jr. made a change at quarterback and it paid dividends for the Tigers (4-5, 3-2).
Horacio Pequeño got the start over Israel Alegria, the senior who began this season as the Tigers’ top quarterback on their depth chart.
“I felt Horacio gave us a better chance against their (Laredo Cigarroa) scheme,” Adame Jr. said. “Since he’s had his injuries, I don’t think Florida (Alegria) has been the same. He’s done a good job for us, but sometimes it acts up on him. Horacio had a good week of practice. He did some things we liked last week against Sharyland (High).”
Pequeño threw for a touchdown while running back Sonny Vela and wide receiver Josiah Cantu ran for a score each versus the winless Toros (0-9, 0-5).
DISTRICT 16-4A DI
LA FERIA 55, HIDALGO 21: At Hidalgo, the Lions (9-1, 4-0) remained perfect in district, handing the Pirates (2-7, 0-3) their third district loss of the year.
DISTRICT 16-4A DII
RAYMONDVILLE 42, PROGRESO 7: At Progreso, the Bearkats (8-1, 3-0) topped the Red Ants (3-8, 0-4) to continue a dominant season for Raymondville.
DISTRICT 16-2A DII
WOODSBORO 42, LA VILLA 38: At Woodsboro, the Eagles (9-0, 4-0) zoomed out to a large lead and led 28-14 at the half. The Cardinals (6-4, 3-1) did everything they could to come back, including a 16-point third quarter, but the comeback attempt fell just short on the road.