Harlandale dominates second half to down Floresville, remain undefeated
TEAMS INCLUDED: Burbank, Harlandale, Highlands, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lanier, Sam Houston.
A star was born Friday at the SAISD Sports Complex, and Lanier (1-4, 1-0) is no longer winless.
Junior back Joe Orta rushed for 94 yards and all three Lanier touchdowns, leading the Voks to a 21-8 upset win over Highlands (2-4, 1-1). They gained a season-best 392 total yards in the District 28-4A.
The Owls, playing without standout junior quarterback Jordan DeLuna, took a 7-0 lead on a 61-yard gallop from junior back Quindon Boston (89 yards, 8 carries) with 10:33 still remaining in the first quarter. Backup quarterback John Cervantes ran for the two-point conversion.
DeLuna strained his knee in the second half against Burbank Sept. 26.
The Voks pulled within 8-6 with 7:39 left in the first quarter on a 12-yard from Orta. Lanier took the lead, 14-8, with 7:15 until halftime when Orta found the end zone from six yards away and Nicholas Garcia (10 of 17, 191 yards) passed to senior tight end Steven Horton for the two-point conversion.
Orta added another six-yard touchdown run with 5:37 left in the game.
Lanier senior Rodrigo Garcia had a phenomenal game with seven catches for 159 yards. Fellow senior Stephen Veliz ran 15 times for 74.
For Highlands, converted fullback Elijah Garces, who filled in for DeLuna, carried 14 times for 70 yards.
Harlandale 33, Floresville 14
For the second-consecutive week, the Indians (5-0, 2-0) knocked off a prime District 29-4A contender. Through the first two weeks of the district season, they’re tied for first with Uvalde (3-2, 2-0), which defeated Southside 45-14 Friday.
Floresville (3-2, 1-1) took a 7-0 lead on a three-yard run by its top player, back Gilbert Ortiz. Ortiz also scored on a four-yard jaunt that regained the lead with 9:40 left in the second quarter. However, Ortiz injured his ankle oin the play and did not return. He gained 65 yards on nine carries. He had been averaging about 125 yards a game.
Between Ortiz’s touchdowns, James Mendoza caught an 11-yard scoring pass for the undefeated Indians. Harlandale tied it 14-14 on a 13-yard touchdown run from Brandon Ramon on the next possession.
Floresville, which had won its previous three games, surged ahead 17-14 at halftime on a 25-yard field goal from Aaron Balles. The Tigers didn’t score again.
Harlandale’s defense forced them to go three-and-out on each of their third-quarter possessions. Meanwhile, the Indians seized control on a four-yard run from Nicholas Martinez (116 yards, 23 carries).
A seven-yard pass from Ramon (11 of 19, 170 yards) to Juan Moncivaiz provided insurance with 8:20 left at the end of a long drive.
Eddie Pedroza led Harlandale with four receptions for 91 yards. Ian Martinez caught four passes for 46 yards.
The Indians outgained Floresville 328-240 in total yards. The Tigers only threw for 26 yards.
Burbank 40, Jefferson 33
Burbank senior quarterback Daniel Tello played for the first time this year, and he made a big splash upon his return. Tello completed nine of 14 passes for 146 yards and ran 22 times for 244 yards, leading the Bulldogs (3-3, 2-0) to their second-consecutive District 28-4A victory.
Tello ran for two touchdowns and threw for two against the Mustangs (0-6, 0-2) at Wheatley Heights Sports Complex.
Burbank 40, Jefferson 33
Burbank senior quarterback Daniel Tello played for the first time this year, and he made a big splash upon his return. Tello completed nine of 14 passes for 146 yards and ran 22 times for 244 yards, leading the Bulldogs (3-3, 2-0) to their second-consecutive District 28-4A victory.
Tello ran for two touchdowns and threw for two against the Mustangs (0-6, 0-2) at Wheatley Heights Sports Complex.
Burbank scored three first-quarter touchdowns for a 22-7 lead. Included were a 64-yard run by Tello and a 69-yard pass play from him to Marcos Luna (104 yards, 5 receptions).
D’Andre Melton (141 yards, 5 receptions) accounted for Jefferson’s first two touchdowns. Melton caught scoring passes of 17 and 26 yards. The first was thrown by junior Weston Redding (6 of 14, 62 yards). The second was from senior Brian Febus (4 of 9, 124 yards). The Mustangs were within 25-14 with 5:52 until halftime.
Tello struck again, breaking a 56-yard touchdown run. But, Jefferson answered before halftime. Redding threw five yards to Henry Bocko, cutting the Mustangs’ deficit to 33-20 at halftime.
Jefferson made a furious comeback attempt in the second half.
Burbank tacked on one more touchdown. With Tello finding Jeremy Sanchez (42 yards, 4 receptions), the Bulldogs scored from the Jefferson 14 less than four minutes into the second half.
The Mustangs cut the final deficit to a touchdown with a pair of fourth-quarter scores. Febus rambled 26 yards to the end zone, but Jefferson missed the extra point. The senior hooked up with Melton for 79 yards with 6:35 to play, but Jefferson couldn’t overcome the Bulldogs.
Burbank junior Tru Bradford ran 12 times for 47 yards. The Bulldogs finished with 534 total yards and 388 rushing yards.
For Jefferson, Jesse Flores gained 96 yards on 18 attempts. The Mustangs accumulated 348 total yard and ran for 162.
Medina Valley 34, Kennedy 26
Much like Jefferson, Kennedy (3-2, 0-2) made a strong comeback, but a bit too late.
Medina Valley (3-2, 1-1) manufactured a 31-6 halftime lead, but only produced a field goal thereafter. Rockets quarterback Blade Alvarado, who also scored late in the second quarter, plunged into the end zone for a second time. Sophomore quarterback Eric Lira (52 passing yards) threw a 13-yard pass to Matthew Guzman that made it 31-18 with 8:11 remaining in the game.
Panthers kicker Jonathan Groff booted a 32-yard field goal with just 1:27 on the clock. That clinched the win, but didn’t complete the scoring.
Guzman returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown. It was his second kickoff return touchdown of the season.
The Rockets held the Panthers to 50 rushing yards and outgained them 318-315 in total offense. Kennedy senior Matthew Avalos ran 23 times for 136 yards. Guzman caught three passes for 64 yards. Alvarado threw for 93 yards.
Gonzales 36, Sam Houston 0
The Apaches (4-1) limited Sam Houston (1-5) to 39 total yards in winning this
non-district game in Gonzales.
Gonzales finished with 352 total yards. Quarterback Alyas Ramirez passed for 119 yards and a touchdown. He also scored on a one-yard dive play and gained 58 rushing yards.
Sam Houston played without featured back Erin Mack. The Hurricanes completed three passes, but gained no yardage through the air.