RGVSports.com
McAllen High missed a 44-yard field goal on the final play of the game, sealing a 24-21 loss to Mission High on Thursday at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission.
The loss eliminates McAllen High from playoff contention in District 30-6A, as the Bulldogs drop to 2-4 in district play, 3-7 overall.
McHi’s final kick attempt came after a spirited late rally. The team was trailing 24-7 before Sandon Yarto scored on a 10-yard run with 3:09 remaining. The Bulldogs recovered an onside kick and needed only two plays to score again, as Ruben Rodriguez found Noah Garcia for a 45-yard touchdown pass with 2:50 to play to pull McHi within 24-21.
The Bulldogs forced a punt to get the ball back with 1:05 remaining and drove to set up the 44-yard attempt that was ultimately off the mark.
Steven De Leon was the star for Mission High, rushing 18 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Robert Martinez also had 19 carries for 82 yards, and quarterback Rudy Treviño completed 7 of 11 passes for 56 yards.
De Leon found the end zone on a 7-yard run in the first quarter, an 80-yard run in the second quarter, and a 16-yard run in the third quarter. McHi scored its lone touchdown of the first half off a De Leon fumble, which Bulldogs defensive lineman Carlos Rivera returned 3 yards for the score.
McAllen High quarterback Ruben Rodriguez had just 5 yards passing at halftime but finished 15-of-22 passing for 155 yards and a touchdown. Roy Gutierrez led McHi in rushing with 36 yards, followed closely by Gunnar Henderson (35 yards) and Yarto (33 yards).
The win marks Mission’s second consecutive to close the year. The Eagles finish 3-7 overall and 2-4 in district under first-year coach Koy Detmer.
DISTRICT 31-6A
EDINBURG NORTH 59 PSJA HIGH 20: At Pharr, the Cougars scored 35 points in the first quarter and never looked back.
Now, Edinburg North needs Edinburg Economedes to lose tonight to Edinburg Vela in order to get into the playoffs. If Econ pulls off the upset against Vela, then Edinburg North is out and PSJA North is in.
The Cougars were led Thursday by quarterback Cristian Espinoza and running back Ethan Vela, both of whom dominated in the running game.
DISTRICT 32-5A
EDCOUCH-ELSA 56, BROWNSVILLE PORTER 14: At Brownsville, the Yellowjackets rolled past Porter as A.J. Rodriguez scored four touchdowns.
E-E improved to 7-3 heading into next week’s bi-district playoff game against Sharyland Pioneer. The game will be Friday at Bennie La Prade Stadium in Donna.
Porter struggled to stop Edcouch-Elsa quarterback Marco Aguinaga, who finished with 230 yards and four touchdowns — all in the first half. Three of those touchdowns went to Rodriguez, who had six catches for 139 yards and also returned a kickoff for another touchdown as the Yellowjackets amassed 465 yards of offense.
“I think our coaching staff did a good job preparing our kids mentally and physically,” Edcouch-Elsa coach Joe Marichalar said. “So, by the time we got here, the sense of urgency to play was there. Our kids executed from the start, so our coaching staff did an outstanding job.”
BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL 39, DONNA HIGH 7: At Brownsville, the Chargers clinched at least a share of the 32-5A title, improving to 8-2 overall and finishing with a 6-1 district record.
If Mercedes beats Donna North tonight, Mercedes and Brownsville Vets will share the district title.
If Mission Veterans Memorial beats Valley View tonight, Mission Vets and Brownsville Vets will meet in a bi-district playoff game next week in Brownsville.
Chargers running back Abel Martinez was the one who did the most damage in spoiling the Redskins’ Homecoming. He rushed 13 times for 173 yards and three touchdowns.
Donna High scored on an 18-yard run up the middle by Edson Alvarado with 1:43 remaining to account for the final score following Gio Coronado’s extra point.