DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Sharyland High coach Ron Adame talked to his team at halftime of Friday’s game against Roma about coming out “like a ball of fire.”
Easy enough for the Rattlers. They’ve been playing that way since Week 1.
This time, the Rattlers turned loose against District 31-5A’s No. 2 defense, ripping apart the Gladiators 49-20 at Thompson Stadium. The win extended Sharyland High’s streak to four games and improved it to 3-0 in district, one of two undefeated 31-5A teams (the other being Laredo Nixon).
Up 21-13 at halftime, the Rattlers (4-1, 3-0 31-5A) had a big stop on 4th-and-1 at midfield on Roma’s opening drive. A couple of plays later, receiver Edgar Alanis caught a 25-yard scoring pass from Alan Alvarez, and that opened up the floodgates.
Roma (2-4, 0-4) threw an interception on its next possession, the Rattlers scored again and Sharyland scored 14 points in 61 seconds early in the third quarter to put this one away.
“Our defense rose to the occasion, and it was a sudden change that we practice every day,” Adame said of the fast scoring spree. “In the middle of practice, we have moments about being ready at the drop of a hat. We decided to take a shot (on Alanis’ score) and it worked out in our favor.”
The Rattlers compiled 534 total yards and seven touchdowns against a defense allowing just 15.8 points on 251.8 yards coming in. Alvarez had a tremendous outing, completing 9 of 15 passes for 192 yards and four touchdowns and running eight times for 141 yards and two more touchdowns.
“From the O-line to the receivers, I have a great group of people on my team,” Alvarez said. “Everything is about execution and it starts with the O-line. I have five beasts up there that open up holes and protect very well.”
In all, four Rattlers scored. Alanis scored three times. Blake Klein scored on a 47-yard pass to open the game. Backup quarterback Edgar Longoria found Miguel Pena on a 70-yard score early in the fourth quarter.
“Their quarterback did an excellent job distributing the ball,” Roma coach Max Habecker Jr. said. “He got it to the backs, to the receivers. He did a good job getting rid of the ball in the pass game and their option game.”
Offensively, Roma moved the ball well, especially in the first half, but couldn’t keep up with Sharyland High’s tempo. The Gladiators totaled 316 yards, but averaged 4.7 yards per play. The Rattlers, meanwhile, averaged 11.4 yards per play.
All of this efficient production has been in line with what Sharyland High has done during this win streak. Over the last four games, the Rattlers are averaging 38.5 points and giving up 14.3.
“We’re a young team, honestly, and our chemistry is building compared to years past,” defensive end Christian Salinas said. “It’s a strength in bond. I’ve never had such a strong bond like I do with a team like this.”
Roma, meanwhile, is on the brink of missing the playoffs, a shocking realization considering the Gladiators were heavy preseason favorites to take the district title.
But Roma is on a four-game losing skid to its top-heavy start to district play and now finds itself in an unenviable spot.
“We have to win the next four games,” Habecker said. “That’s what it comes down to, and we have to do it the way we’ve always done it. That’s one game at a time. We’ve been unfortunate this year. Right now, we’re in a very tough position.”