Highlands remains postseason candidate by defeating Edison

TEAMS INCLUDED: Edison, Highlands, Holy Cross.

Holy Cross (6-3, 5-1) has a shot to defend its TAPPS District 3-II title, thanks to its 61-0 thumping of Cornerstone Christian (2-7, 0-6) Saturday night and San Antonio Christian’s upset victory over Austin Regents 24 hours earlier.

The Knights have locked in a playoff berth, thanks to the commanding win at Harlandale Memorial Stadium. Holy Cross had a 27-point lead in the shutout when the first quarter ended.

Junior back Greg Scott (214 yards, 11 attempts) scored three times in that timeframe, on  runs of one, six and 42 yards. Quarterback Cisco Flores (102 yards, 5 carries) added a 15-yard scoring run. The Knights ran for 408 yards.

By halftime, Holy Cross led 41-0. Jacob Rodriguez ran two yards for a touchdown and jack-of-all-trades Greg Kelly returned a punt 72 yards for another score in the second quarter. Kelly later scored on a 24-yard interception return.

David Sanchez (124 yards, 3 receptions)  scored on a 56-yard pass play from Flores (6 of 12, 171 yards) in the third quarter. As time expired, Rudy Gonzalez tallied an 11-yard touchdown run.

Holy Cross limited Cornerstone to 14 rushing yards and 36 total yards.

The Knights will play at undefeated district leader Austin Hyde Park Baptist (9-0, 6-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. If they win, the teams will share first place.

Highlands 35, Edison 7

Highlands may have lulled its recent District 28-4A opponents into a false sense of security by staying mostly landlocked. The Owls (4-5, 2-3) came out firing against Edison (3-6, 1-4) Saturday at the SAISD Sports Complex.

Junior quarterback John Cervantes threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns, without an interception. He completed 16 of 27 attempts.

Edison senior Andres Aguilar, who returned from an injury, scored the game’s first touchdown on a one-yard run 31 seconds from the end of the first quarter. The Owls’ defense limited to Aguilar to 38 yards in his return to action.

Highlands scored the next five touchdowns unabated.

Backs De-Morriay Richardson (61 yards, 11 carries) and Quindon Boston (119 yards, 17 carries) contributed scoring runs in the second quarter, as the Owls claimed a 14-7 halftime lead. Richardson scored again after intermission, on a 71-yard pass play from Cervantes.

It was the first of three second-half passing touchdowns for Highlands. Xavier Long (152 yards, 9 receptions) scored on a 63-yard pass play almost three minutes into the fourth quarter. Tavon Johnson also hooked up with Cervantes for a touchdown, a 23-yarder with 45 seconds remaining.

Edison receiver Marcello Zavala caught eight passes for 81 yards.

Highlands moved into a fourth-place tie with Burbank (3-6, 2-3), with an important test against Brackenridge looming 7:30 next Friday at the SAISD Sports Complex. If they win, the Owls will still need a little help from Lanier. to qualify. The Voks will play Burbank, which defeated Highlands in their head-to-head meeting.

The Owls’ win over Edison, however, will become important if the season ends with a three-way tie for fourth.

Edison’s playoff hopes were jeopardized by the loss, but remain alive, as the Golden Bears hold the tiebreaker advantage over Burbank. They will finish their season at 8 p.m. Saturday against Jefferson (0-8, 0-5) – which lost -3 to district champion Brennan – in the Tommy Bowl at the University of the Incarnate Word.