STAFF REPORT
La Joya ISD Stadium was the scene for celebration when the final horn made another Bears win final. PSJA High topped La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 45-14 to improve to 7-3 overall and 6-1 in District 30-6A.
The golden ball is the first district title since the 2005 season under head coach Mel Rios.
“I can’t say enough about our coaching staff, our kids, our community, everybody that’s come together and helped us along the way,” PSJA High coach Lupe Rodriguez said.
For more than two quarters the score stayed tight, but the occasion was too grand to slip up.
“With the loss from last week, we came out a little flat offensively,” Rodriguez said. “We were only up 14-7 at the half but we finally cleaned up in the second half and came through with big passes.”
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln finishes the season without a win (0-10, 0-7) a year after recording its best overall season at 6-4.
Trey Guajardo threw two touchdown passes to Miguel Flores and another to Marco Guajardo to continue the dominance through the air.
“It was just a great night tonight. I’m so proud of them — all the team, defense and offense and what we’ve been able to accomplish in a short period of time. I’m grateful for the opportunity here at PSJA High and I’m glad I could bring a district championship home.”
PSJA High’s bi-district matchup is set. The Bears will host Eagle Pass at PSJA Stadium on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
DISTRICT 30-6A
PSJA NORTH 37, McALLEN HIGH 0: At Pharr, the Raiders got back onto the winning path with a clean victory of the McHi Bulldogs.
PSJA North’s Noah Gonzalez had a big game including an interception of McHi’s Robert Amador to lead the defense to its first shutout of the season.
North improved to 6-4 on the season and 5-2 in district play.
“We just decided we were going to run the ball at ‘em; went old school,” North coach Marcus Kaufmann said. “On defense, we did a really good job, I think (McHi) broke 100 yards on us late in the fourth quarter.”
The Bulldogs gained 100 of their 140 yards in the second half.
McHi’s season ends at a humble 2-8 and 1-6 in 30-6A and will miss the postseason for the second time in coach Kevin Brewer’s six-year tenure.
The rushing trio of running back Isaac Gonzalez, Arturo Beltran and Iziaah Rangel did damage to the Bulldogs defense.
Gonzalez had 97 yards and three touchdowns. Beltran had 124 yards and had a rushing score. Rangel had 84 yards on 12 carries.
“That’s what we talked to the kids about. We said, ‘Make sure this is a dress rehearsal for what we have to get done,’” Kaufmann said. “We can’t have any more down games, any more lulls, any more coming out flat. We have to clear all that stuff up because from here on out the season is over if we have one of those ball games. We’re focusing on every possession so that way we can keep playing.”
Backup quarterback Trey Elizondo reached the end zone on a sneak dive. Jose Alvarez also kicked a field goal for the Raiders.
The Raiders playoff opponent isn’t set in stone but his team is eyeing a potential matchup with 29-6A’s Laredo United South.
DISTRICT 31-6A
EDINBURG HIGH 40, DONNA NORTH 3: At Donna, the Bobcats (7-3, 3-3) raced out to a large lead over the Chiefs (0-10, 0-6). The Bobcats led 27-0 at the half, before closing out the win to clinch a playoff berth. This is the Bobcats’ third trip to the postseason in three years under coach J.J. Leija.