Edison, Southwest struggle in season debuts

Teams included: Central Catholic, Edison, Holy Cross, Southwest.

Southside transfer Cisco Flores ran for two touchdowns and passed for another, leading Holy Cross to a 21-14 win over Central Catholic in the 2013 Holy Bowl.

The junior broke a 59-yard touchdown run with 11:49 until halftime Thursday to put the Knights (1-0) in the lead. They never trailed, despite having to fend off a second-half Buttons comeback for second-consecutive year.

Central Catholic (0-1) tied it with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter on a 10-yard pass from Josh Godfrey (16 of 25, 166 yards) to Will Barr.

Flores provided a 13-7 lead with a one-yard run late in the third quarter. Flores completed 15 of 22 passes for 183 yards. The converted running back also ran for 126 yards on 18 carries. Back Greg Scott led the Knights with 150 rushing yards on 29 attempts.

With 7:22 left in the game, Flores threw what proved to be a clinching 27-yard scoring pass to multi-purpose standout Greg Kelly (10 receptions, 134 yards). The senior made an interception, kicked an extra point and averaged 32 yards per punt.

Holy Cross added a very-important two points on a pass from Flores to Steve Villela. It meant Central Catholic would need to score twice and be successful on a two-point conversion themselves to steal a victory.

The Buttons reduced their deficit to seven with 2:40 remaining when Michael Gonzales hauled in a seven-yard touchdown pass from Godfrey. But the Knights were able to run out the clock.

Central Catholic junior running back Joseph Nava (119 yards, 18 carries). Gonzales and Ray Cortez each caught four passes for 42 yards.

Holy Cross recorded its third consecutive win in the series, but Central Catholic still leads with a 35-11 all-time record.

Laredo United 42, Southwest 14

The host Longhorns (1-0) passed for 244 yards as they scored the first 42 points Thursday at Laredo’s Bill Johnson Student Activity Center.

Southwest (0-1) scored fourth-quarter touchdowns on runs of 16 yards by Tyrone Middleton and one-yard by Josh Huron.

The Longhorns outgained the Dragons 402-202 in total yards. United quarterback Derek Esparza (12 of 23, 208 yards) passed for four touchdowns and ran for another.

Huron led Southwest with 38 rushing yards on 12 carries. Brian Donnell rushed for 32 yards on nine tries. Standout back Erin Mack kicked two extra points for Southwest, but did not carry the ball.

Cody Johnson made three catches for 18 yards as the Dragons passed for 32 yards.

Pleasanton 40, Edison 7

The Golden Bears (0-1) scored first, but Pleasanton (1-0) reeled off the next 40 points Thursday at the SAISD Complex.

Senior Andres Aguilar ran 15 times for 104 yards and the Edison’s only touchdown. Aguilar scored on a -yard run in the quarter. He also had 23 reception yards.

Edison quarterback Jonathon Hernandez ran for 68 yards and passed for 47.

Pleasanton scored four of its five touchdowns on the ground and featured two 100-plus-yard rushers. Quarterback Jacob Arevalo ran for 189 yards on 13 attempts and back Grant Jackson gained 158 on 16 attempts. The Eagles ran for 494 yards.