RGVSports.com
McAllen Rowe is headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2012 after picking up a 30-12 win against La Joya High on Friday at La Joya ISD Stadium.
The Warriors moved to 3-2 in District 30-6A and could still potentially finish in a four-way tie for second place at 3-3. Still, Rowe would hold the positive points tiebreaker in every scenario.
“It means a whole lot for the program and for our kids. For our coaching staff. Community. School. It’s awesome,” first-year Rowe coach Bobby Flores said. “The kids have worked extremely hard. They’re the ones who ultimately deserve the credit.”
On Friday, Flores said Rowe continued to ride the strong play of running back Raudel Garcia, plus sweepers Hector Ramirez and Horacio Moronta.
Frank Delgado, Lalo Bosquez, Jose Barrera and Brandon Leal were the defensive standouts, while William Savage continued to shine in place of injured starter Jesus Sanchez.
“I have to take my hat off to our quarterback,” Flores said. “He went in there and made some great throws at some crucial times. He did awesome tonight.”
La Joya High falls to 2-3 in district, tied for the fourth and final playoff spot with McAllen High.
LA JOYA PALMVIEW 34, McALLEN HIGH 14: At McAllen, the Lobos picked up a bounce-back win to punch their ticket to the playoffs.
A week after losing 38-13 to last-place Mission High, Palmview put on a dominating performance against McHi to reach the postseason for the third straight season — the first three trips in the program’s history.
“It’s great,” coach Margarito Requenez said. “I keep telling the kids, they keep making history year after year. This will be the third consecutive time, and I told this group that they’re a special bunch. All they had to do was keep fighting, keep working hard, and everything will pay off.”
Jonathan Zieske had an efficient game passing the ball, connecting on 10 of 14 attempts for 147 yards and two scores. Joel Piña was the Lobos’ most productive player, gaining 193 yards with two rushing touchdowns.
“We just kept pounding it,” Requenez said. “We went back to the drawing board. I think every time that we lose, we get pass happy, and that’s because we can’t move the ball. We just had to rethink our game plan, and we stuck with what has taken us to the playoffs: the running game.”
McAllen High drops to 2-3 in district, tied with La Joya High for fourth place in the district standings.
DISTRICT 31-6A
EDINBURG NORTH 42, PSJA MEMORIAL 22: At Edinburg, quarterback Cristian Espinoza ran for three touchdowns and passed for two as the Cougars kept alive their playoff hopes.
Edinburg North (3-6, 3-3) took a 35-16 lead at halftime and finished the game generating more than 400 yards of offense.
“It was a track meet,” Cougars coach Rene Saenz said. “Both offenses were up and down the field. But once we settled in defensively, we took care of business.”
Edinburg North sits in fifth place in the district standings, one shy of a playoff berth. The Cougars will reach the playoffs with a win and losses by PSJA North and Edinburg Economedes in Week 11, or with a win, a PSJA North win and an Edinburg Economedes loss.
“No matter what, if we want a shot of getting in, we have to win,” said Saenz, whose team is looking for its fourth trip to the playoffs in five years.
DISTRICT 31-5A
SHARYLAND PIONEER 33, LAREDO MARTIN 3: At Laredo, Pioneer secured the first postseason berth in the program’s third year of competing in varsity football.
For the fourth time this season, the Diamondbacks held an opponent scoreless during the second half after it led Martin 10-3 at halftime. Pioneer improved to 7-2 overall, 6-1 in District 31-5A, and is in line to earn at least a share of the district title.
LAREDO NIXON 56, VALLEY VIEW 10: At Pharr, the Mustangs remained neck in neck with Sharyland Pioneer for the 31-5A title. Pioneer and Nixon is each 6-1 in district play.
Nixon improved to 8-1 overall. Valley View fell to 2-7, 1-6 in district.
DISTRICT 32-5A
MERCEDES 42, BROWNSVILLE PORTER 14: At Mercedes, the Tigers clinched at least a share of the 32-5A title with a big win over Porter.
Mercedes improved to 5-4, 5-1 in district. Brownsville Veterans Memorial is also 5-1 in district play. Mercedes beat Brownsville Vets earlier this season.
EDCOUCH-ELSA 33, BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ 6: At Elsa, the Yellowjackets made a big statement by dominating 32-5A’s top defensive unit. Lopez entered the night allowing just 13.5 points per game.
Edcouch-Elsa improved to 6-3, 4-2 in district. Lopez fell to 6-3, 4-2.
BROWNSVILLE PACE 20, DONNA HIGH 14: At Donna, the Redskins saw their slim playoff hopes go away with a loss to the Vikings.
Donna High, which had won two straight games to keep its postseason chances afloat, fell to 3-6, 2-4 in 32-5A. Pace improved to 3-6, 3-3.
DISTRICT 16-4A DIVISION I
GRULLA 46, HIDALGO 0: At Rio Grande City, Dillen Salinas scored three touchdowns on the ground and the Pirates remained in the hunt for their first district title in program history.
Fabian Anzaldua, Miguel Flores and Diego Mata also scored on the run to help the Gators (5-4, 3-0) build a 37-0 lead at halftime. Next week, they close out the regular season against La Feria, which is also undefeated in district.
“It’s an exciting time for us,” said Grulla coach Abel Gonzalez III, whose program was last in the running for a district title in 2013 before losing to Kingsville. “Our kids are looking forward to the challenge. They’ve worked extremely hard to get to this position, and we’re going to get ready for next week and get at it.”
DISTRICT 16-2A DIVISION I
LA VILLA 24, SANTA MARIA 17: At Santa Maria, the Cardinals snapped an eight-game losing streak to start the year and secured a playoff berth.
La Villa (1-8, 1-2) punched in a 20-yard run in the fourth quarter to secure the win. It takes on Three Rivers next week.
“It’s been a long season adjusting for us,” first-year La Villa coach Alex Guerra said. “Had a lot of ups and downs, kids not wanting to finish the season, making the adjustments with different guys. We’re down to 23 players now, but we’re with a group of guys who want to be here and want to set the foundation.
“I’m just really proud of the guys.”