Ramos makes QB debut for winless Cardinals

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Uvalde (3-2, 2-0) blitzed the host Cardinals (0-5, 0-2) with 32 first-quarter points on the way to a 45-14 District 29-4A victory Frday at Southside.

The Coyotes, who are tied with Harlandale for first place in the district, scored five touchdowns in the quarter, and each of them covered more than 20 yards. They finished with 522 total yards.

Uvalde took advantage of a patchwork Southside secondary. The Cardinals sent four defensive backs who were backups at the start of the season against a Coyotes team that is known for its running attack.

“They took advantage of our depleted secondary,” Southside coach Paul Haberer said. “We’ve had one starter out for a couple of games, then we lost the other three (Sept. 27) against Memorial.

“It took some time for those young kids to step up. It just took them a while to get up to game speed.”

Uvalde opened the scoring with a 50-yard run just 52 seconds into the game. About three minutes later, Max Buysee caught a pass from Jerry Almaraz (16 of 28, 200 yards) for a 66-yard touchdown. Trae Garcia (105 yards, 8 receptions) added a 22-yard touchdown catch with 5:28 left in the first quarter.

The Coyotes also scored on a 32-yard interception return and a 62-yard run from Marco Blanco (124 yards, 6 carries) before the quarter ended.

“We strung together three good quarters against Uvalde,” Haberer said. “We’re looking for consistency. When we put together four quarters, I think we’ll be a successful team.”

The Coyotes increased their lead to 38 points before Southside scored its first touchdown.

Sophomore Johnny Trevino, who shifted from quarterback to running back, reached the end zone on a one-yard dive 13 seconds before the end of the third quarter. Trevino’s place at quarterback was taken by  senior Jake Ramos.

Ramos and Trevino had battled for the quarterback job in the preseason. When Trevino earned the start, Ramos returned to wide receiver, where he had played in 2012.

In his new role, Ramos completed 11 of 20 passes for 144 yards.

“Jake did well,” Haberer said. “He made a couple of mistakes early, but for his first quarterback experience at the varsity level, he did a pretty good job.”

The Cardinals were without nine starters against the Coyotes because of injuries.

Southside has been besieged by injuries since before the season began.  Aaron Porras who gained 592 rushing yards as a 2012 starting back won’t play this season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

In Porras’ absence, sophomore Timmy Rodriguez (64 yards, 15 carries) has developed into a reliable back.

“Timmy has really stepped up and done a nice job,” Haberer said.

With Trevino moving to the backfield, Southside was able to lighten Rodriguez’s load. Following another Uvalde touchdown, Rodriguez scored for the Cardinals on a three-yard run with exactly five minutes remaining in the game.

“This will give us another option out of the backfield instead of just Timmy,” Haberer said. “I think it’s going to help make us better.”

Southside (0-5, 0-2) will travel to Medina Valley (3-2, 1-1) for a 7 p.m. game Friday. The Panthers defeated Kennedy 34-26 Friday.

“They’re doing some good things,” Haberer said of the Panthers. “They’re learning a new system under a new coach. They’re making the transition and they’re coming off a good game this week.”