FREDDY GONZALEZ AND MARK MOLINA | Staff Writers
Santa Rosa’s Ryan Mesa has continued to put together some top-notch performances, adding another this past weekend.
The senior rushed for a blistering 409 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-8 victory over Banquete. Mesa scored on touchdown runs of 75, 69 and 91 yards.
The senior’s performance has not gone unnoticed, as he was nominated to be the Mr. Texas Football Player of the Week by Texas Football. This season, Mesa has rushed for an impressive 1,432 yards and 15 touchdowns on 127 carries.
Another player who has been playing well for the Warriors is Jose Diaz-Mendez. The sophomore has rushed for 553 yards and five touchdowns on the season, including the 176 yards and three touchdowns against Banquete. The Warriors produced 659 total yards of offense against Banquete.
The Warriors play host to the Taft Greyhounds (4-4, 3-0) on Friday.
A RARE STAT
The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers are on a roll, as they have won four District 16-5A Division I games in a row since falling 45-24 to Mission Veterans Memorial on Sept. 15.
Their most recent game however, was a grind-it-out 9-6 home victory over Donna High.
The Chargers’ nine points were the fewest the team has scored since they were shut out 21-0 at the hands of Los Fresnos on Oct. 31, 2014.
Brownsville Veterans rushed for 39 yards and was held to a season-low 158 yards of offense, but still earned the win thanks to the leg of Israel Barron, who hit field goals from 47, 37 and 27 yards out.
Up next for the Chargers will be the PSJA Southwest Javelinas, who are second in offense, holding opponents to 230 yards per contest.
TARPONS RUN
This season, the Port Isabel Tarpons are doing what the program has always been known for, and that’s run the football well.
Against Progreso, the Tarpons rushed for 356 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. The week before that, Port Isabel gashed Grulla for 518 yards and seven touchdowns.
On the season, the Tarpons have rushed for 1,959 yards in seven games and have rushed for less than 200 yards three times this season.
Brayan Medina leads the team and District 16-4A Division II with 1,001 yards and six touchdowns on 144 carries.
The Tarpons’ run game will face a big challenge this week when the team faces Raymondville, which boasts the district’s top defense.
LA FERIA
The La Feria Lions rose to the top of the District 16-4A Division I standings after defeating the Zapata Hawks. Eric Alegria scored on a 60-yard kickoff return and Dorian Hernandez found Darius Hernandez for a 21-yard touchdown as the Lions went on to win 33-14.
Dorian Hernandez also rushed for two TDs on the evening. The Lions play host to Grulla on Friday.