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PEARSALL MAVERICKS FOOTBALL

DESPITE INJURIES, PEARSALL HOLDS ON FOR NARROW 28-27 WIN OVER CARRIZO SPRINGS IN LEAGUE OPENER

Pearsall overcame a rash of injuries and several missed scoring opportunities to claim a narrow 28-27 win over Carrizo Springs in the District 14-4A, Division II opener last Friday at Mack Laxson Field.

Elijah Luna filled in at quarterback following injuries to starter Matt Hughes and backup RJ Hernandez. He finished with 259 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. He was two of four passing for 12 yards but did the bulk of his damage on the ground with 29 carries for 247 yards and the three scores.

“Elijah rose to the occasion and stepped in and was huge for the offense,” PHS Head Football Coach Ruben DeLeon said. “He did a great job managing the offense for us and not trying to do too much. He did a great job of staying within himself and being in the moment, and taking each play at a time.”

Luna carried the bulk of offensive load as starting running back Joey Ramirez, who has rushed for 1,099 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, saw limited action with a shoulder injury. Ramirez still carried 19 times for 74 yards and a touchdown, however. Defensive starters Corbin Norris and

“We had several players rise to the occasion and step up for players that were out,” DeLeon said. “We even had players get banged up in the game and pushed through to finish the game.

“I am proud of the boys and the effort. Friday night was a true testament to our motto EATT (energy, attitude, toughness, and teamwork). They found a way to get it done and come away with our first district win.”

Pearsall was its own worst enemy on the offense end as the team had a pair of scores called back on penalties that they were able to eventually cash in but also fumbled twice in the redzone including once on one-yard line.

“Fumbling at the one yard line hurt,” DeLeon said. “We thought he was down before the ball came out. Those are six points that were left off the board. We need to continue to clean up the little things and finish drives.

“It is frustrating knowing we ran for over 300 yards and came away with only four scores, we felt like we let two scores get away from us. Like I tell the boys the only person that is going to stop us is us.”

Pearsall overcame the miscues and led 21-7 at the half on a pair of one-yard runs by Luna and Ramirez. Luna also added a 13-yard score late in the second. The Wildcats responded with 20 second half points to make it very interesting late.

Carrizo Springs scored on three pass plays of more than 25 yards each and had a fourth touchdown set up by a shanked Pearsall punt from their own endzone.

Pearsall’s only second half score came after a blocked punt that the Mavs’ recovered at the Wildcats’ 14-yard line.

Luna went in from 13 yards out with 3:48 in the third and put Pearsall ahead 28-13.

Carrizo Springs would score twice after that, first on a one-yard score following the short Pearsall punt and then with 2:47 remaining on a 25-yard scoring pass to cut it to 28-27.

Pearsall then held off the Wildcat’s final threat, forcing an incompletion in the endzone on a 19-yard pass as time expired.

The Mavericks, 6-1, 1-0, now turn their attention to Bandera this week as Pearsall hits to road to take on the Bulldogs on Friday.

“Bandera is a good ball club,” De Leon said. “They are coming off of their bye week so they were able to rest up. We cannot afford to come out sluggish, if so, Bandera is going to make us pay for our mistakes.”

The Bulldogs are 5-1 this season, having won five in a row following a 38-13 week one loss to Poteet. The Bulldogs have notched wins over Cotulla (39-18), San Antonio Kennedy (24-14), San Antonio Cole (42-20), Hondo (25-24) and Robstown (28-21) since their loss to the Aggies.

Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium in Bandera.