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PEARSALL MAVERICKS FOOTBALL

MAVERICKS CRUSH SA YMLA, EARN THIRD SPOT IN 14-4A, DIVISION II PLAYOFFS

Pearsall used a conservative offensive approach but still routed the San Antonio Young Mens Leadership Academy Lions 41-14 to clinch the third seed in District 14-4A, Division II playoffs on Friday at the SAISD Sports Complex.

With playoff scouts from Wimberley and Navarro in attendance, Pearsall Head Football Coach Ruben DeLeon played things close to the vest on offense but still utilized a run-heavy attack to roll to the lopsided win.

Pearsall’s top offensive weapon Joey Ramirez went down with an ankle injury in the win over the Lions but with weapons to spare, he wasn’t needed as the Mavericks ran for over 400 yards in the win.

“We used multiple backs to get fresh legs in there at that position,” DeLeon said of Pearsall’s offensive mindset against YMLA.

The Mavericks jumped out to a 21-7 first half lead and the defense kept the Lions’ passing attack largely in check for much of the night as YMLA only managed two possessions into Pearsall territory.

Elijah Luna, Matt Hughes and Kingston Martinez each scored a pair of touchdowns apiece to lead the team.

Martinez led the rushing attack with a season-high 161 yards on 17 carries on the ground. Luna added 114 yards on 19 carries. He also had a six-yard pass completion, one of only two pass attempts Pearsall had on the night.

Luna capped a Maverick drive with a 10-yard run early in the first as Pearsall took a 7-0 lead. Hughes then went in from eight yards out with 1:32 left in the first as the lead went to 14-0. That score was set up by a 48-yard Charlie Martinez interception to the 12-yard line.

Using as purposefully time consuming attack, Pearsall increased the margin to 21-0 as Martinez broke off a 30-yard run in the second quarter. Hector Monroy booted his third straight conversion attempt.

YMLA cracked the scoreboard in the second but needed a fourth down fake punt and a long reception inside the ten-yard line before going in from a yard out.

Aaron Pinckney went in for YMLA and Sean Gonzalez converted the extra point as they cut into the Pearsall lead at 21-7 with 1:40 to play before halftime.

Pearsall moved down the field on their ensuing possession just before the half but elected to let time run out and going into intermission.

The Mavericks continued to eat up the clock on lengthy drives and added another six-yard Luna touchdown run late in the third to go up 27-7.

Hughes went in from a yard out early in the fourth as the lead went to 35-7 with 8:18 remaining. Martinez capped the Pearsall scoring at 41-7 with 2:35 remaining as he broke into the endzone from eight yards out.

Raishaun Conaway answered for YMLA as he went in on a 13-yard run with 1:09 remaining for the final margin.

Pearsall finished with 411 yards of offense and 21 first downs while limiting YMLA to 145 total yards and nine first downs.

The Maverick rushing attack accounted for 405 yards on 51 carries and averaged 6.5 yards per play. The Liones could get nothing going on the ground as they were limited to 49 yards on 19 carries.

Pearsall was one of two passing for six yards while YMLA finished seven of 21 for 96 yards.

Ramirez ran for 66 yards on seven carries before he left the game in the first half. He raised his season total to 1,412 yards on 148 carries and 20 touchdowns.

Corbin Norris added 38 total yards on four carries and one reception.

Pearsall secured the third seed in the playoffs and earned a draw against the Navarro Panthers in bi-district.

Navarro was second in District 13-4A, Division II behind unbeaten Wimberley. The Panthers went 6-4 this year and 4-1 in league play.

The teams will square off on Thursday, November 10 at 7 p.m. at Dub Farris Stadium in San Antonio.