NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — The PSJA North Raiders struck first, but they could only strike once. The PSJA High Bears (3-2, 2-0) were able to provide just enough offense, by striking twice and overcoming PSJA North (2-3, 1-1) 10-7 on Friday night at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
PSJA High entered the game averaging 40.3 points per contest but the Bears victory over their city rivals lies on the shoulder pads of their defense. The tone was set, and the win was sealed, by the maroon defenders.
The first Bears defensive gem came on fourth-and-goal from the 1 right before half. Raiders quarterback Iziaah Rangel was just short on third down and called his own number on fourth. PSJA High stuffed it and the Raiders paid dearly for not getting points on that drive.
“We put our hearts every day in practice to win this game,” PSJA High senior defensive back Juan Zambrano said after the win. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, they’re a good football team. And it’s rivalry week, nothing gets better than that. Shout out to their offense, but shout out to our defense, because without us we wouldn’t have won this game.”
The Bears defense changed the tide of the game again midway through the fourth quarter.
With less than six minutes to play and North putting together one of its few drives that reached the red zone, Iziaah Rangel overshot his target with a high pass. His mistake was punished as Juan Zambrano intercepted Rangel’s pass on the goal line.
“They had their whole momentum going until I made that interception,” Zambrano said. “I was just at the right place at the right time, put my hands up and caught the ball. The excitement of the stands and everybody was just amazing.”
That excitement was nearly cut short when PSJA High fumbled on the very next play at its own 30. North would give the ball right back on a fumble as running back Isaac Gonzalez was dragged to the ground.
“We rode the backs of the defense and when it really mattered, the defense came out big,” Bears coach Lupe Rodriguez said. “I know they had been struggling in the beginning, non-district. But today, we owe that victory to the defense. Hats off to them.”
Bears senior quarterback Trey Guajardo admitted his offense was bailed out.
“Tonight just showed our defense is one of the top defenses not only in our district but the Valley as well,” Guajardo said. “Like I told my coach, I shouldn’t be the one getting interviewed right now, it should be the defense, they played a great game tonight. Offensively, we kind of shut down, but there’s going to be games like that where offensively we aren’t on and the defense should be the ones picking us up.”
Guajardo scored the Bears only touchdown with his legs on an 8-yard score at the start of the second quarter.
The first time PSJA North (2-1, 1-1) touched the ball, it was their engine Arturo Beltran, with a return to the 42 that would set himself up for a 50-yard touchdown run a few plays later.
The Raiders were not able to muster much production after that run. Iziaah Rangel kept the ball with designed draws or sneaks but first downs became elusive.
Guajardo was held to 11 for 17 passing and 133 yards. In the first half, he was hitting mid-range passes but the long home run completion never came. The Raiders brought pressure and recorded five sacks.
A facet of the game that might be overlooked was the kicking game. Jared Deleon hit a field goal to give PSJA High its first points, which ended up being the difference in the win. He also booted three 40-yard punts, two that pinned the Raiders at their 1.
“He’s a great kicker, there’s no doubt about that. Coming into the season he had never really focused on football, he was a soccer player so we were a little bit antsy about him coming in. But he’s come up and brought a lot to the table. The way he punts it’s unbelievable. He’s placing it where we need it. That’s probably a big reason why we came out victorious tonight, small ball.”