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EDINBURG — The PSJA North Raiders didn’t miss a beat Friday in a 42-25 win over Edinburg North at Cats Stadium. In their first game since the departure of senior quarterback George Olivarez, who left the team Monday after losing the starting job to Darren Fuentes, North amassed 531 yards of offense, the bulk of which came in the second half.
“We only had half the talent and played twice as good as we did two weeks ago,” coach Jorge Pena said. “It was a tremendous game for us. It’s the best game we’ve played so far this season.
The win snaps a four-game losing streak for the Raiders (2-4, 1-1), who were led by Brandon Villarreal, with 301 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries. Villarreal stepped in for running back Rene Ramirez, who left the game in the first quarter with an injury and did not return.
But North was without more than Ramirez. Two lineman, including center Vicente Palacios and two linebackers did not play.
“Everyone stepped up tonight and played admirably,” Pena said. “I couldn’t ask for more from them.”
Fuentes completed four of his nine passing attempts for 73 yards and an interception, in addition to gaining 84 yards on the ground.
“The team responded so well to him,” Pena said. “He’s such an unselfish player, and we’re an unselfish team with him. Kids were congratulating him and hugging him on the sidelines.”
DISTRICT 30-6A
LA JOYA HIGH 22, McALLEN HIGH 18: At La Joya ISD Stadium, La Joya High bounced back after losing three straight games by 30 or more points, grinding out a win against McAllen High.
Coyotes coach George Espinoza said the key was getting important players back from injury, namely center Mark Peralez, strong safety Leo Garza, and running back and linebacker Brandon Ramos.
“The emotions were high. The kids were excited,” Espinoza said. “We played a hell of a ball game defensively.”
Josh McGowen had a long touchdown run in the first half for McAllen High, but the Bulldogs were otherwise shut down. The Coyotes had an interception and a blocked punt to set up scoring drives.
“We pretty much shut down McGowen, and it was pretty much a one-man show when it came down to McAllen High,” Espinoza said.
McALLEN MEMORIAL 70, McALLEN ROWE 21: At McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Mustangs scored on every possession save their last, when they took a knee to seal a win against the Warriors.
Trevor Speights ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns, and Emilio Mendez picked up 127 yards and a score. Quarterback Jonathan Sanchez scored twice, while his backup Angel Almaguer also found the end zone. DJ Johnson and Josh Sanchez each caught touchdowns.
“It was a pretty good performance all over,” coach Bill Littleton said. “Our special teams came up big.”
District 31-6A
WESLACO HIGH 51, EDINBURG HIGH 6: At Weslaco, senior running back Brian Guerra rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, and the Panthers (4-2) improved to 2-0 in district play. Major Free, Usiel Gonzalez and Jonathan Martinez combined for 200 yards and three touchdowns. The Bobcats drop to 0-5.
DISTRICT 32-5A
PSJA SOUTHWEST 27, PSJA HIGH 14: At Pharr, the Javelinas improved to 1-1 in District 32-5A, 2-3 overall.
The Bears remained winless in 2015, dropping to 0-5.
MERCEDES 41, DONNA NORTH 14: At Mercedes, Donna North jumped out to a 14-7 halftime lead, but Mercedes dominated the second half.
The Tigers improved to 2-0 in District 32-5A, 3-2 overall. Donna North fell to 0-5 overall.
DONNA HIGH 42, BROWNSVILLE PACE 7: At Donna, the Redskins improved to 2-0 in District 32-5A, 3-2 overall.
Pace dropped to 0-5 overall.
NON-DISTRICT
MONTE ALTO 44, MMA 0: At Monte Alto, the Blue Devils recorded their second consecutive shutout in their non-district finale.
Monte Alto (3-3) used a run-heavy attack once again, after beating Pharr Oratory 47-0 in Week 5.
“Today we executed better than we had all season long,” Blue Devils coach Cesar Castillo said. “I think that helped us out tremendously. We had multiple guys score.
“It was a great team performance, and the guys were focused. I’m looking forward to the start of district.”
Monte Alto hosts Dilley in its district opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Friday’s #RGVweek6 scores
Non-District
Lyford 41,
Hidlago 34
Sinton 48,
Raymondville 13
Monte Alto 44,
MMA 0
District 30-6A
La Joya High 22,
McAllen High 18
McAllen Memorial 70,
McAllen Rowe 21
La Joya Palmview 35,
Mission High 21
District 31-6A
Weslaco High 51,
Edinburg High 6
PSJA North 42,
Edinburg North 25
District 32-6A
Los Fresnos 14,
San Benito 7
Harlingen South 33,
Brownsville Lopez 14
District 31-5A
Sharyland High 29,
Mission Vets Memorial 27
Edinburg Vela 28,
Roma, 7
District 32-5A
Mercedes 41,
Donna North 14
Donna High 42,
Brownsville Pace 7
PSJA Southwest 27,
PSJA High 13
Edcouch-Elsa 49,
Brownsville Porter 21