RGVSports.com
Josh McGowen ran for 223 yards and three touchdowns and returned a kickoff 94 yards for another score, leading McAllen High to a 56-35 win against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln on Thursday at La Joya ISD Stadium in La Joya.
“He did a great job for us and made some big plays for us when we needed some big plays and some big first downs,” McHi coach Kevin Brewer said. “The o-line played pretty well, and the receivers blocked good. He did what he always does. He gets the tough yards, and when he gets the opportunity, he makes a big play.”
McAllen High led 35-6 at halftime before Juarez-Lincoln started to get back into the game, jumping a pair of routes and returning interceptions for touchdowns of 55 and 56 yards.
Despite the two interceptions, quarterback Caleb Youngblood came through for the Bulldogs on the ground, picking up 156 yards with two scores.
“Caleb did a great job continuing to battle and got us a couple of big scores with his feet on some big runs there in the second half,” Brewer said. “He’ll be alright.”
McHi improves to 4-4 and 3-1 in District 30-6A, while Juarez-Lincoln drops to 1-6 and 0-3.
As a team, McAllen ran for 401 yards and picked up 73 in the air. Juarez-Lincoln racked up 308 total yards despite having just 91 at halftime.
DISTRICT 31-6A
EDINBURG HIGH 28, PSJA MEMORIAL 7: At PSJA Stadium in Pharr, the Bobcats scored in all three phases to nab their first win of the season.
“The kids showed great resilience tonight,” coach Joaquin Escobar said. “The defense did a good job stopping the pass. (PSJA Memorial) can throw the ball really well, and they have some great receivers. Our offensive line stepped up as well, they really let us control the tempo of the game.”
Running Back Jerry Zea scored on the ground from 20 yards out while QB Nathan Mares ran in for one, too. Danny Cuellar went the distance on an interception return for a TD, and the Bobcats specials teams scored as well.
“It’s unexplainable,” Escobar said about the mood in the locker room after the game. “That’s what we talk about every day. It’s easy when you’re on top to have a great attitude, but it’s tough when you suffer losses to have that same kind of character. This was an unbelievable night and well deserved.”
Edinburg moves to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in District 31-6A. PSJA Memorial falls to 2-5 and 0-4.