Sandman

The Coyotes just missed a 4th and 10 with 1:36 left. Justin Villareal was picked off.

I think that’s it from here. 34-16 Judson, but it was closer than that.

Thanks for reading this season. 

———- 

And the Coyote fans are starting to leave…

LJ’s Stephen Ramirez was hit as he threw and mustered about a two-yard toss right into the hands of Judson defensive lineman William Thornton, who rumbled and stumbled 53 yards for a TD with 4:05 left to give Judson a 34-16 lead.

After living off turnovers last week, the Coyotes will be eliminated by the turnover. Their last two drives were ended by interceptions by Ramirez, who has been replaced by Justin Villareal. 

———- 

Judson’s Luke Boswell just picked off a Stephen Ramirez pass at the Judson 40 and returned it to the LJ 1 with 7:21 left.

Judson QB Austin Quinney then snuck it in with 7:18 left to give the Rockets a 27-16 lead.

Ramirez managed to overthrow a pass through the same stiff wind that helped Castillo kick that 58-yarder. 

———- 

The Coyotes are at their own 41 thanks to two first downs. They have the ball at the Judson 44 with 7:50 left. 

———- 

The Rockets just chose to punt on a 4th and 2 at their own 49. LJ’s Humberto Cerda caught the punt on two bounces and fumbled when he was hit.

The Coyotes recovered it at the 9 with 9:34 left. 

———- 

Lorenzo Garcia just scored from two out to pull La Joya to 21-16. Stephen Ramirez’ pass was deflected on the 2-point conversion.

With 11:54 left, LJ trails 21-16.

That 2-pointer was huge. If the Coyotes had made it, all they would have needed was a Sergio Castillo FG to tie it. 

———- 

After three quarters, the Coyotes trail 21-10 but have the ball at the Judson 3. Matt Jones just caught a 42-yard pass to get LJ to the 5.

Jones has 6 catches for 117 yards. 

———- 

La Joya just went for a 4th and 1 at their own 38 with 1:47 left and got it on a Stephen Ramirez sneak. If he hadn’t gotten the first, methinks that would have been it for this one. 

———- 

Judson’s Mitchell Swan got the first down, and then the rest, for a 21-yard TD run to give the Rockets a 21-10 lead with 4:07 left.

Like on his first TD run, the Coyotes had a chance to take Swan down, but couldn’t.

The Judson drive was a 13-play, 80-yard drive which took 7:53 to complete. 

———- 

Judson has another 4th and 1, this one at the LJ 21 with 4:20 left. 

———- 

Judson has a 4th and 1 at the LJ 45 yard line…

… which Judson’s Chauncey Harris picked up with a 3-yard gain. 

———- 

To start the second half, Sergio Castillo booted the kickoff through the uprights. 

———- 

Wade Baker just told me through email that Castillo’s kick was a Valley record by four yards. The record was held by Mission High’s Carlos Gonzalez, who made a 54-yarder in 2004 and by Hidalgo’s Victor Lara who made on in 2002.

I don’t know if anybody’s going to touch Castillo’s record.

Still, it’s only a footnote if the Coyotes can’t rally and win. Then again, who would have thought we’d see a 58-yard kick today?  

———- 

If you want the San Antonio perspective, here’s their site.

I’m still stunned by how easily Castillo made that kick. Wow.

———- 

Oh. My. Gosh.

Sergio Castillo just nailed a 58-yard kick to end the half, and it had plenty more distance. The Coyotes trail 14-10 at the half, but they have all the momentum.

Wow.

———-  

And it did. The Coyotes stopped Mitchell Swan one yard short to the Judson 29.

La Joya has the ball at its own 41 with 1:53 left, trailing by 7. 

———-  

Now’s the time for the La Joya defense to step up.

The Coyote offense just went 3 and out and punted into the endzone. A score here by Judson means trouble for La Joya. 

———-  

The Coyotes need to tackle.

Judson’s Mitchell Swan just ran for a 75-yard TD with 6:46 left. He was hit by two Coyotes but spun out of the tackles and outran the rest of La Joya.

14-7 Judson, 6:46 left.

———-  

As their 28 points were in last week, these seven came off a turnover the Coyotes forced. Judson is clearly the quicker team, but La Joya’s large offensive line is pushing the Rockets around.

Thanks to a stiff wind, Coyote kicker Sergio Castillo just put the kickoff through the uprights. 

———  

Well, lookie here.

La Joya’s Jose Bocanegra, just back in the game, caught a 7-yard screen pass from Stephen Ramirez to score. Sergio Castillo’s PAT made it 7-7 with 7:37 left in the half.

That Swan fumble is looking huge right now. 

———-  

They picked it up, but on the next play, La Joya’s Jose Bocanegra stayed down after a three-yard gain to the 19. He just got up and will miss at least one play.

If he’s out, the Coyotes are in trouble. 

———-  

The Coyote offense has moved the ball on its last two drives. They keep getting to manageable 3rd and short situations. They have a 3rd and 5 at the Judson 32 with 10:10 left at the 32. 

———-  

We’re through 1 here and it’s 7-0 Judson. 

———-  

And on the next play, Judson’s Mitchell Swan ran for 18 yards but fumbled at the 49, with La Joya recovering at their own 35.

———-  

And Bocanegra was about a foot short. He was dragged down from behind, giving Judson the ball at their own 31 with 1:33 left. 

———-  

Thanks to Jose Bocanegra, the Coyotes drove down to the Judson 33, but are looking at a 4th and 2 at the Judson 33 with 1:35 left.

Bocanegra has 29 yards on 8 carries.

BTW, I’m enjoying a tasty ham sandwich courtesy of the people in Laredo.  

———-  

After La Joya went 3 and out to start the game, it took Judson 8 plays to cover 50 yards for a TD.

Judson QB Austin Quinney threw only one pass, but it was a 19-yard TD pass with 7:12 left to TE Caleb Kocian right down the seam.

Judson RB Mitchell Swan gained 28 yards on the drive. 

LAREDO - Hello again everybody.

We are live at Laredo’s Student Activity Complex for the 5A Division I Regional Semifinal between the La Joya Coyotes (6-6) and the Judson Rockets (8-4). And thanks to photographer Alex Jones’ car, I may be here a bit longer after the game.

We stopped about a mile from the stadium to pick up some Red Bull to get us through the game. He needs it for the energy required to shoot high school football, and I need it just to stay awake after leaving the office at around 2:30 am and waking up at 7:00 am. After picking up our drinks, Alex couldn’t shift the car into reverse.

Uh oh.

We got to the stadium but we’re both a tad worried we may not make it back. So if anybody from The Monitor is in Laredo, we’d appreciate your help.

As for the game, we all know about Judson’s history. One fan I talked to said this team just looks different in the postseason.

La Joya has too, but they’ll really have to look different to survive today.

Kickoff in about 45 minutes.

DONNA- Well, that’s it for me this weekend.

Four games, two hellacious deadlines and one ruined pair of shoes. This was a dream weekend as a journalist and lover of football. It also tested me as a reporter in ways I hadn’t been before.

Just for kicks, here are some awards from this weekend that saw three District 30-5A teams get eliminated from the playoffs:

Best game- In a very close call, I’m going with the Harlingen South-Rowe game. It had the possibility of a great upset, drama and controversy. It narrowly edges out the McHi-Weslaco and Los Fresnos-Donna games. Those two were also stupendous.

Best team performance- Los Fresnos. While Harlingen South won on the road, the Falcons beat an evenly-matched team at their place. Danny Mendez is quite a tough, little running back.

Best individual performance- Mishak Rivas’ 26 carries for 313 yards and 4 TDs. That fellow is ridiculous.

Biggest surprise- La Joya beating PSJA High. Although, wasn’t it PSJA High beating PSJA High?

So, that wraps it up from here. I hope you, the reader, enjoyed the blogging. If I’m heading to Laredo next weekend for the La Joya game, I’ll see ya then. If not, I’ll blog from whichever game I’m covering. 

Brian

LF wins 30-26. 

———–   

Jorge Mata just scored on a 24-yard pass from Mark Carmona. Plus the PAT, it’s 30-26 LF with 2:18 left. 

———–   

Sorry I lost ya for a moment, but Donna just took the lead 26-23 on a 60-yard score by Josh Reyna with 3:36 left. 

———–   

LF’s Danny Mendez just had a 38-yard run called back because of a holding penalty. The ball would have been down to the Donna 1. 

———–   

And just like that, the Falcons have the lead.

Mark Carmona found Charlie Rivas for an 18-yard TD to give LF a 23-19 lead with 2:03 left in the third. The PAT was botched, to say the least, to keep the score at 23-19. 

———–   

Danny Mendez is back for LF and just picked up 11 to the Donna 32. And another 11 to the 21 with 3:30 left in the third and LF trailing 19-17.

———–   

Donna’s Jacob Medina just scored from 7 yards out to give Donna 19-17 lead with 4:54 left in the third. Fernando Sanchez just missed his second PAT of the night.

The drive consumed 7:06 of the third quarter. 

———–   

Donna’s Eric Pena just dropped a pass in the flat at about the LF 15. He could have scored if he had caught it. He was wide open. 

———–   

Must not think about Mizzou. Must not think about Mizzou. Must not think about Mizzou. 

———–   

The Redskins are on the move to the LF 39 with 8:00 left. They just called time after earning a first down. 

———–   

The winner of this game will play San Antonio Reagan next Saturday. If LF wins, the game will be in Victoria. If Donna wins, the game’s in Laredo. 

———–   

I just met Roy Hess of the Brownsville Herald. Roy is a very good man and really helped me out on a story I recently completed. 

———–   

At halftime at a very cold and rainy Bennie La Prade Stadium, the LF Falcons lead 17-13. 

———–  

LF’s Danny Mendez just gained 20 yards on a run but was slow to get up. He gingerly ran off the field but without assistance. With 12 seconds left in the half, he has 110 yards and 2 TDs on 18 carries. 

———–  

Ramirez just found Donna’s Eric Pena for a 4-yard TD pass with 47 seconds left. LF then blocked the PAT to keep the score at 17-13. 

———–  

The Skins’ best offense tonight has been a Derrick Ramirez keeper. He’s got 31 yards on 5 carries. Other than that, Donna has 38 rushing yards. 

———–  

The Skins got it on a 6-yard catch by Eric Pena. Derrick Ramirez then made a 7-yard run to the LF 14 with 1:40 left. 

———–  

Donna is going for a first down on a 4th and 3 at the LF 27 with 2:26 left. Both teams have called timeouts since the last play.

———–  

Derrick Ramirez just dropped the snap, picked up the ball and snuck 11 yards for a Donna first down. The Redskins have the ball at the LF 41 with 6:20 left in the half. 

 ———–  

Los Fresnos’ Danny Mendez just went in from 1 out with 8:56 left to give the Falcons a 17-7 lead. He’s got 90 yards and 2 TDs on 17 carries already. 

———–  

The Falcons just recovered a pooch kick at the Donna 31. They have the ball at the Redskins 36 with 11:01 left. 

———–  

Danny Mendez just scored from 43 out to give Los Fresnos a 10-7 lead with 11:15 left in the second. He broke through the Donna line and was able to outrun the Redskins into the endzone.

Mendez is a good, but small, running back. 

———–  

7-3 Donna after 1 quarter. 

———–  

Donna just took the lead on a 14-yard Albert Aleman TD run with 1:01 left in the first. The score was one play after Los Fresnos sent a snap over the head of punter Jesus Ramirez.

Donna leads 7-3 with 1:01 left in the first. 

———– 

I made it in to Donna at about 5:50 but had to finagle my way into the stadium and pressbox. Parking here, um, needs work. I also needed to write my Rowe-Harlingen South story, which I just finished.

As for this game, Los Fresnos has a 3-0 lead with 4:00 left in the first on a 29-yard Jesus Ramirez kick.

Philip Fruge just scored a 10-yd TD. Game to South, 30-24. 

————–  

Rowe went for it and Enriquez was incomplete. South ball and all it needs is a field goal to win. 

————–  

Rowe is faced with a 4th and 9 at the 24. Kick? Go for it? I don’t know what I’d do. 

————–  

Rowe will have the ball first at the South 25-yardline. There is no clock. 

————–  

Overtime, tied at 24. 

————–  

Mike Enriquez was just intercepted by Joey Reyna with 1:05 left. Reyna got under a badly underthrown pass.

South ball at their 36, 50 seconds left. 

————–  

Rowe has just gotten two first downs and is down to the South 40 with 2:30 left. 

————–  

South’s Philip Fruge was stopped short on a 3rd and 3 at the Hawks’ 40. The Hawks decided to punt, tied with 5:45 left.

Rowe ball at its own 30 with 5:35 left.  

————–  

Rowe’s Ralph Juarez just missed a 29-yard kick wide right. The Rowe offense has been completely stymied in the second half. 

The Hawks have the ball at their own 32, tied at 24 with 8:00 left. 

————–  

And this game is tied.

South’s Sean Messick just scored on a 1-yard sneak with 10:48 left to tie the game. The run came on a 4th and 1. He also appeared to get a helpful shove across the line from running back Philip Fruge.

The ensuing kickoff was returned 53 yards by Rowe’s Julio Roel to the South 42. 

————–  

After yet another Warrior punt, the Hawks are threatening and have a second and goal at the 3 to start the fourth.

24-17 Rowe to start the final quarter. 

————–  

The Warriors just dodged a bullet.

First, they stopped the Hawks on a 3rd and 3 at the 17. Then, Hawks kicker Rolando Salinas missed a 34-yard kick wide left.

Rowe ball at its own 22 with 2:00 left and a 24-17 lead. 

————–  

It’s official, Rowe is in trouble.

The Warriors just punted from the back of their endzone but got the ball out to their 19.

Hawks ball, trailing 24-17 with 4:00 left in the third. 

————–  

Harlingen South’s Rolando Salinas just nailed a 37-yard kick to pull Harlingen South to 24-17 with 6:51 left in the third. They’ll need another stop on this possession. 

————–  

Halftime and it’s 24-14 Rowe.

Harlingen South got down to the 23 of Rowe but ran out of time. 

————– 

We could be watching an upset.

Mario Montes just fumbled the kickoff for South and Rowe recovered at the Hawks’ 27. Two plays later, Cameron Gatling scored from the 13 to give Rowe a 24-14 lead with 42 ticks left in the half. 

————– 

Rowe’s Cameron Gatling was just awarded a 1-yard TD run with 1:10 left in the half. He fumbled just as he crossed the goalline and the ball was recovered by South. After a brief conference by the officials, it was decided that Gatling fumbled after crossing the goalline.

South coach Alan Cherry ran onto the field to argue and, after heading back to the Hawks’ bench, was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Rowe’s Ralph Juarez then clanked the PAT but got another chance because of a penalty.

17-14 Rowe with 1:10 left in the half. 

————– 

There were just two turnovers on two plays.

The first was thrown by Rowe’s Enriquez straight to Rolando Salinas at the South 30. It was a floater to Travis Chafin that he looked like he regretted as soon as he threw it.

On the very next play, Fruge broke off a 27-yard run for South but lost a fumble at the Rowe 42.

Rowe has driven to the South 23 with 3:43 left . They just got a first down after South was called for interfering with Rowe’s Alex Chalk.  

————– 

I keep trying to figure out how Rowe started 2-5. This team I’m watching now isn’t a bad team. In fact, it looks like a team that can stay with the best team in the Valley. The Warriors have the ball at the Hawks 38. 

————– 

South’s Philip Fruge just went in from the 7 to give the Hawks a 14-10 lead with 9:02 left in the second. 

————– 

Sean Messick isn’t the biggest or the strongest-armed QB I’ve seen this year, but he’s one resourceful kid. He’s got South on the move to the 7 with 9:09 left in the second. 

————– 

We’re through 1 here in McAllen and the Rowe Warriors lead 10-7. The South offense has looked stagnant since its first drive. 

————– 

Rowe’s Ralph Juarez just made the 39-yard kick. It wasn’t pretty, but the Warriors will take it. They lead 10-7 with 53 seconds left. 

————– 

Rowe is on the move to the South 22. However, South has started to blitz Rowe’s Enriquez on pretty much every play. Enriquez is a good athlete, but he’s a better pocket passer.

He just threw a pass over the middle to Ricky Soto, who let it go through his hands. 

Rowe is about to attempt a 39-yard kick with 58 seconds left.  

————– 

Rowe’s Travis Chafin just caught a 10-yard TD pass from Mike Enriquez to tie the game at 7. Chafin had to tip-toe by the sideline, but got both feet in bounds.

7-7, 5:54 left in the first.

————– 

Philip Fruge of Harlingen South just went in from 1 yard to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead. South converted 3 third downs to continue the drive. They were aided by some missed tackles to boot.

Rowe HAS to tackle well to have a chance in this game.

South 7-0, 8:01 left in the first.

McALLEN - Hello again everybody.

I just got into the pressbox at Veterans Memorial Stadium and saw the legendary Pikey Rodriguez. It’s always nice to see Pikey.

What isn’t as nice to see is the 38-row trek up the concrete mass that is this stadium. Luckily, I wore a nice pair of loafers. They have much better traction than my Roos, which were ruined yesterday.

If this game allows (i.e. a blowout), I’m going to start writing my gamer as early as possible so I can get to Donna as quickly as I can. So, if the blog isn’t updated, you’ll know why.

I planned my attire for today horribly. Why am I wearing a blue dress shirt with a red tee?

Sorry I lost ya there. Weslaco wins 40-38. The Bulldogs were unable to recover the onside kick.

I’ll talk to you tomorrow from Harlingen South-McAllen Rowe at 2 then Los Fresnos-Donna at 6:30. 

————- 

McHi just scored a 4-yd TD pass with 8 seconds left. With the PAT, it’s 40-38. 

————-   

Mishak Rivas. Mishak Rivas. Mishak Rivas.

Weslaco’s Rivas just scored a 36-yard TD with 1:52 left. This run, like all his others, consisted of a couple broken tackles and then a different level of speed. Color me impressed. 40-31 Weslaco with 1:47 left.

————-   

On a 4th and 10 at their own 38, McHi’s Leal threw into double coverage to Steven Garcia. The pass fell incomplete, leaving 3:00 on the clock.

34-31 Weslaco 

————-   

Weslaco just went three and out after recovering a pooch kick. There’s now 5:02 left and the Bulldogs have forced a punt. They have the ball at their own 34.

The Weslaco defense, which gave up 49 last week, is leaking again. 

————-   

On a 4th and 15, McHi’s Leal found Balderas on a screen from the Weslaco 47 that went for a TD. Plus the PAT, it’s now 34-31 Weslaco. 

————-   

McHi just recovered an onside kick at the Weslaco 42.

I just got an interesting comment with a couple pieces of advice. One, which was to say which team players are on, I’ll listen to. Although, if you don’t know who Mishak Rivas is, why are you reading this?

The other is regarding my neutrality, calling me a Weslaco fan. Really? I’ve been here two months and this is the first time I’ve covered the Panthers. Gimme a break. 

————-   

Say what you want about McHi tonight, but the Bulldogs haven’t quit. 

Leal just found Sal Limon in the end zone for a score to cut the lead to 34-22 with 9:27 left. Leal then found Steven Garcia for the 2-pointer to pull the Bulldogs to 34-24. 

————-   

And more nightmares…

Leal’s third pick came with 11:16 left at the Weslaco 14.

On the next play, Rivas went for an 86-yard TD run to give Weslaco a 34-16 lead. The PAT was botched, but it doesn’t look like it will matter.

Rivas has 282 yards on the night, which gives him 3065 for the season. Holy blank. He’s better than I thought he’d be

————-   

Adrian Leal is going to have nightmares about this game.

He threw his second pick of the night to Adrian Gonzalez, this one in the end zone. 

————-   

McHi just punted to the Weslaco 1. On the first play, Alex Tafolla was stopped in the end zone for a safety. With 3:58 left, 28-16 Weslaco. Why, I wonder, didn’t Mishak get the ball?

Manny Udor has only two carries in the second half. I’ll find out what happened after the game.  

————-   

Sorry about the slight delay…

In the last few minutes, McHi’s Sal Limon lost a fumble at his own 45 after catching a pass, then Dylan DeLeon scrambled and found Rivas for a 16-yard TD with 8:22 left.

Just as I was typing this, Leal was intercepted by Adrian Gonzalez. After a penalty on the return, Weslaco has the ball at the 45 with 7:40 left in the third. 

————-   

The conditions are starting to alter this game.

Manny Udor lost a fumble just 25 seconds into the half at the Bulldogs’ 48. The Bulldog defense just stepped up, though, stopping Rivas on a fourth and 5 at the 45. 

————-   

I don’t usually whine. It’s not my nature. Remember that while you read this: 

While the Weslaco ISD is renovating this pressbox, it should also add a bathroom or two to this stadium.

By my count, there were 9 stalls in the bathroom I used. If there are 9 in the other one on the home side, that would make 18 total for all the male Weslaco fans. As you can imagine, the lines were long. I’m lucky I got back to the pressbox when I did.

So, if anybody from Weslaco is reading this, all you guys need is a new pressbox and a bigger bathroom. Thanks. Other than that, I’ve loved the atmosphere of this stadium.

————-   

21-14 Weslaco at the half.

Here are a couple stats to tide you over

Rivas 13-166, 3 TDs

Udor 9-35, TD

Weslaco: three lost fumbles 

————-   

The Panther drive just stalled on a pair of nothing runs. The Panthers attempted a 45-yard kick but couldn’t get the snap down. Stephen Menchaca nailed the holder.

21-14 Weslaco with 37 seconds left. It could be a lot more. 

————-   

They didn’t get it. Alex Tafolla got the first by the length of the ball. 

————-   

Weslaco is driving again after forcing a punt. The Panthers have a 4th and 1 at the McHi 23 with 2:59 left in the second. The Bulldogs need a stop. 

————-   

Live-blogging this game could be tough…

Rivas just scored from 5 out to give Weslaco a 20-14 lead. The first PAT was missed, but nullified because of a penalty. The second try was good.

21-14 Weslaco, 6:15 left in the second. Rivas has 143 yards and 2 scores. 

————-   

McHi just scored on a 6-yard TD run by Manny Udor with 8:11 left, but they can thank Weslaco.

On a 3rd and goal from the 11, the Panthers were penalized for roughing Adrian Leal. Leal’s pass was incomplete, and would have left the Bulldogs a 28-yard kick. Instead, the drive continued.

14-14, 8:04 left in the second. 

————-   

Mishak Rivas just fumbled on a punt return. McHi recovered at the 44 and is driving.

In case you’re keeping track, Weslaco has lost 3 fumbles.

14-7 Weslaco, early second. 

————-   

14-7 Weslaco after 1. 

————-   

… which set up a Mishak Rivas 62-yard TD. He cut back at about the McHi 30 and just hit another gear nobody else had.

Plus the PAT, it’s 14-7 Weslaco with 49 seconds left. 

————-   

McHi couldn’t convert this turnover.

Leal was incomplete on a 4th and 5 at the 38… 

————-   

Tafolla just lost another fumble at the McHi 46. If there were instant replay, it might be overturned. Tafolla looked like he was down before he lost the fumble. 

————-   

McHi just capitalized on the drive, with Adrian Leal scoring a 6-yard TD run on a QB keeper. This one could be back and forth.

7-7, 3:35 left. 

————-   

Alex Tafolla just lost a fumble at the McHi 46. 7-0 Weslaco, 5:30 left. Big play for McHi, 

————-   

McHi just went three-and-out on its first possession, thanks to drops by Manny Udor and Sal Limon. 

————-   

Isn’t McHi’s defense supposed to be good?

Weslaco just sliced through the Bulldogs for a TD to start the game. Alex Tafolla just scored from 7 out with 9:30 left to put Weslaco up 7-0. McHi offered no resistance. 

————-   

We’re about five minutes from kickoff and the Weslaco side of the bleachers is completely filled. This kind of atmosphere is what I was expecting this season. 

————-  

The winner of tonight’s game faces San Antonio Madison at 2 pm next Saturday in the Valley.

Weslaco’s a big-time program with a nothing pressbox. Juan Medrano, the respected stats guru of McHi had to leave the box because there was no room. I’m looking at a state-of-the-art fieldturf playing surface and scoreboard, yet I can only see half of the field from the pressbox if I don’t lean.

This, simply, is not good enough for 5A Texas football. Seeing Juan leave the box because there’s not enough room made me realize that. I shouldn’t have an obstructed view of a game I’m covering. If it weren’t raining, I’d sit outside.

BTW, if you hate the color purple, avoid this game.

WESLACO - I just made it into the pressbox at Bobby Lackey Stadium. I’m seated between a white wall and John Cannon of the Mid-Valley Town Crier. I have a better view of John than I do the scoreboard. He’s going to give me some scoreboard help if I need it.

I may have to stop talking to John, because he insists that Quin Snyder did a good job at my alma mater. I was there, Quin didn’t.

Anyway, my trip from La Joya to Weslaco was uneventful. I’d say it took me 40 minutes to get into Weslaco. It was a nice, uneventful drive. I listened to some good music and got a decent dinner.

While I was driving, I thought about how much the Beatles ripped off Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters with The Magical Mystery Tour. And for what? The movie was boring and the album only had two or three great songs (Magical Mystery Tour, Fool on the Hill and I am the Walrus).  

Back to the game…

The weather has turned nasty. I’m glad I’m in a nice, warm pressbox. It sure is cramped, though.

La Joya is 2:01 away from a trip to Laredo. Their next game is 2 pm Saturday at the Laredo Student Activities Center.

28-14, LJ. The Coyotes just recovered another fumble.

Barring a miracle, it will be 28-14 LJ. I’ll see ya in a couple hours from Weslaco. 

———– 

Eric Ochoa just picked off a Trey Ramirez pass at the LJ 25. With 4:10 left, the Coyotes have the ball at their own 20.

No sight of Bear Pride.

28-14 LJ, 3:40 left. 

———– 

I just got a text from a colleague, asking about Bear Pride. Haven’t seen any yet, unnamed person. Unless Bear Pride means penalties and turnovers.

Palomin just threw a pick. He threw across his body to defensive lineman Luis Roldan.

On the next play, Bocanegra went in from 18. Plus the PAT, it’s 28-14 LJ. 

———– 

Jose Bocanegra is carrying LJ on his back. He’s got 149 yards and two scores.

The Coyotes have the ball and are  just 9:00 away from the third round. Whoulda thunk it?

———– 

Pop the corks!

Juan Palomin just completed a pass. It was only a 3-yard screen, but still.

21-14 La Joya through 3 quarters. 

———– 

Mel Rios has to be seething right now. His team just got called for a false start on a 3rd and 8. That’s six penalties and four turnovers. 

———– 

La Joya just took its first lead of the day on a Jose Bocanegra 14-yard run. Bocanegra ran twice on the abridged drive for all 31 yards. 

21-14 LJ, 2:43 left in the third.

These Coyote fans are into it. Some of them need to sit down so I can see. 

———– 

Oy vey.

Palomin just lost another snap, this one at the PSJA 31. 

———– 

Jose Bocanegra just scored from 4 out to tie the game at 14 with 5:12 left in the third. Mel Rios has to be verrry annoyed. 

———– 

The Bears just committed two offsides penalties. The first came on a field goal that LJ botched because of a bad snap. The second came on the next play, leaving LJ a yard short. On their third chance, the Coyotes got a one-yard rush from Felix Villalobos for the first to the 11.

———– 

The Coyotes just had a first down run called back because of an illegal block. The penalty took them back from the six to the 22.

14-7 PSJA, 7:00 left. 

———– 

Palomin just lost another fumble, this one on a bad snap. LJ ball at the 36. 

———– 

Juan Palomin has one pass. One. PSJA has the lead, so I guess Palomin doesn’t have to throw much.

He just completed a pass, but PSJA took a pass interference instead. 

———– 

Halftime musings:

Jose Bocanegra’s 64 yards are keeping the Coyotes in this game.

PSJA should be leading about 21-7. 

The weather is affecting this game. Don’t expect too many passes in the second half. Palomin and Villareal have looked incapable of throwing in this weather. They’ve combined for 15 yards. 

———– 

14-7 PSJA at the half. A quick one, too. 

———– 

La Joya just had a punt blocked at their own 20-yardline. The punt would have assured the game would have gone into halftime tied.

Instead, PSJA converted with 30 seconds left on an Angel Marroquin 1-yard run. 14-7 PSJA, 30 seconds left. 

———– 

I’m pretty certain the Southwest scouts don’t know much about The Monitor. One just quipped the paper was “10 cents”. Uh no, it’s 50 cents and worth every penny. They don’t sound too impressed with La Joya, either.

They’ve picked up on how much faster the Bears are. It would have paid off, but PSJA quarterback Juan Palomin fumbled a snap at the one yardline with less than 4 left in the half, and it was recovered by La Joya. 

———– 

Villareal just finished the drive with a 1-yard TD sneak. With the PAT, it’s tied at 7. The Coyotes have shown they can move the ball on the ground against the Bears. 

———– 

The Coyotes just went for a 4th and 3 at the 4 and made it on a Justin Villareal sneak. 

———– 

The Coyotes just recovered a fumble at the PSJA 31 yardline. Osvaldo Cantu never got a grasp on a handoff and spilled the ball onto the field. 

———– 

After 1, it’s 7-0 PSJA. There have only been three attempted passes. This clock’s going to run, run and run some more. 

———– 

The drive just ended when Justin Villareal threw incomplete on 4th and 7 at the 23. They were heading into the wind. Not a bad decision to go for it. 

———– 

I’ve been joined by scouts from San Antonio Southwest High School. It should be interesting to hear their take on these teams. They missed Villanueva’s TD.

What they’ve seen is an impressive drive by the Coyotes, who are at the PSJA 30. Jose Bocanegra has gashed the Bears for 54 yards on this drive.

7-0 Bears, 4:00 left. 

———– 

That was quite easy.

Two Justin Villanueva runs, the second from 11 yards, gave PSJA a 7-0 lead. Villanueva looked too big and too fast for the Coyotes.

They just returned the kick to their own 10. 

———–

Not a good start for the Coyotes.

Richard Cantu faded to the sideline to field the kickoff. If he hadn’t touched it, LJ has the ball at the 40. Instead, he dropped it out of bounds at the 4.

La Joya just went three and out and allowed PSJA to return the punt to the 20.