Brahmas Bully Mavs

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | October 6, 2022

STOCKDALE BLANKS PEARSALL 29-0 TO KNOCK MAVERICKS FROM RANKS OF THE UNBEATEN

PEARSALL’s Kingston Martinez lunges at a Stockdale runner for a tackle during the Mavs’ 29-0 non-district loss to the Brahmas last Friday. Stockdale handed the Mavs their first loss of the season with the home victory.

Pearsall received a taste of what they’ve been dishing out this season, dropping a tough 29-0 decision to the Stockdale Brahmas on the road last Friday.

Like the week prior, the Mavericks were slow out of the gates, but this time Stockdale took advantage and took the game to Pearsall, quickly going up 15-0 in the first quarter en route to the shutout win.

“We came out sluggish and Stockdale hit us in the mouth, they capitalized on all our mistakes we gave them,” PHS Head Football Coach Ruben DeLeon said of Friday’s defeat. “That is a good ball club. Like I told the boys, we are done with our non district games, we are still in first play like everyone else in our district.

“We will learn and grow from this setback as a team.”

DeLeon said he knew going in that Stockdale was a talented squad but said the outcome doesn’t change Pearsall’s focus going forward, especially with district play opening up this week.

“The loss didn’t hurt us,” he said. “If anything, Friday night’s game showed us things we needed to work on and clean up before the start of district this week.

“We cannot waste any time thinking about the previous game, we have to refocus looking forward to Carrizo Springs.”

A slow start, turnovers, mounting injuries and an ineffective offense led to the lopsided loss as the Mavericks’ effective running game was stymied by the Brahmas.

Joey Ramirez, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in five games this year was limited to four yards on only eight carries before he left the game with a shoulder injury.

Starting quarterback Matt Hughes was also banged up and did not return to the contest.

Elijah Luna was forced into the lineup under center after backup quarterback RJ Hernandez also went down with a shoulder injury.

Luna accounted for 115 yards of offense including 44 rushing yards and 49 receiving yards. He also completed two of six passes and had one interception.

The Brahmas scored twice in a span of mere minutes after they drove the length of the field for a 25-yard touchdown run with 5:16 left in the first. After Pearsall went three and out on its next series, a fumbled snap on the punt resulted in Stockdale recovering at the nine. One play later they would go up 15-0 on a nine-yard scoring run.

Pearsall would look to make some noise on its next possession as Hughes connected with Luna on a 30-yard reception but a turnover killed the momentum.

Stockdale would make it 22-0 with 4:28 left in the second and tacked on a fourth quarter score for the final margin. Already unable to move the ball on offense, the Mavs could muster little else as the injuries mounted.

The Mavericks have little time to regroup as they open District 14-4A, Division II action this week at home against Carrizo Springs. The Wildcats, district champions a year ago, have struggled this season, falling to 2-4 in 2022. The team is coming off a 52-14 loss to Ingleside and notched its two wins over rival Crystal City 27-2 and Hebbronville, 31-18.

Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Mack Laxson Field.

Posted in Breaking News