Running Wild

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | September 13, 2023

PEARSALL MAVERICKS FOOTBALL

PEARSALL OFFENSE RUNS OVER MINUTEMEN, MAVS BOUNCE BACK FROM LOSS

PEARSALL receiver Curtis Saenz eludes a Memorial defender and cuts upfield for a first down during the Mavs’ 30-8 win over the Minutemen last Friday at Mack Laxson Field. (CURRENT photo: Manuel Azocar III)

Pearsall amassed 360 yards of offense and 20 first downs and ran the ball well in a bounce-back 30-8 win over the San Antonio Memorial Minutemen in the home opener for the Mavericks last Friday at Mack Laxson Field.
The Mavs improved to 2-1 for the year and rebounded from a 29-28 loss to San Antonio Cole the week before.
“Overall, it was a good night for us,” PHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ruben DeLeon said. “From week to week, we have raised our level of play on the field and that is something we have been preaching.
“We hope to be clicking on all cylinders once district starts.”
While showing signs of improvement from the week before, Pearsall still sputtered at times on offense and likewise suffered a few glitches on the defensive end as well.
“We knew Memorial was going to try and work the clock on the offensive side to control the game and number of possessions we would have,” the coach said. “Offense-wise, we took advantage of what Memorial was giving us. They were trying to load the box so we knew we could get to the outside and throw quick stuff in the holes they were giving.
“The boys did a good job of making adjustments during the game. I was not content with the two possessions inside of their 20 where we dropped a pass in the endzone and turned it over on downs.”
Defensively, the Mavericks limited Memorial to just over 200 yards of offense and 11 first downs. They forced a turnover and allowed the Minutemen to convert on only three of 12 third down attempts.
“Our defense played fast all night but we did have a couple miscues,” DeLeon said. “The boys not reading their keys and getting their eyes in the right spots led to a couple big plays for Memorial.
“As a team we need to build off of this game for Poteet this week, and focusing on cleaning up the little things.”
Despite being in control for the entire first half, Pearsall only scored twice in the first two quarters but also had a lengthy third possession that resulted in no points. That drive started at the Mavs’ three-yard line and went 88 yards but ended with a dropped pass in the endzone.
Elijah Luna, who had a hand in all four of Pearsall’s touchdowns, opened the scoring on the Mavs’ first possession of the game. The team marched down the field and scored on Luna’s 14-yard scamper into the endzone. The extra point attempt was blocked but Memorial was offsides on the play and Pearsall went for two and were successful and took an 8-0 lead.
Pearsall then forced a Memorial punt and went on a long, time-consuming drive that ate up the end of the first and most of the second quarter. It ended with no points inside the Memorial redzone on downs after a dropped touchdown in the endzone.
The Maverick defense would turn the tide, however, backing the Minutemen to their own goal line and forcing a very short punt. The offense would capitalize this time, scoring quickly as Luna went in from the one. Another successful two-point conversion put the Mavs ahead 16-0 with 1:20 to play in the half.
In another example of the lapses Coach DeLeon addressed, Memorial recovered an onsides kick to open the second half. Catching the Mavericks on their heels, the Minutemen scored in only four plays, keyed by a long run from quarterback Jordan Ortega.
Having the lead cut in half in four plays, Pearsall wasted little time seizing back the momentum. Behind the running of Luna, Kingston Martinez, Eddie Martinez and Curtis Saenz, the Mavs quickly moved down the field and scored when Luna lofted a 21-yard pass to Tristan Ellis in the corner of the endzone. The conversion attempt failed but Pearsall took a 22-8 lead with 8:38 to play in the third.
The Maverick defense kept Memorial in check for much of the second half and Luna then iced the game with 4:35 to play when he bolted outside, made a cutback to the inside and cut across the field and the defense on a 62-yard touchdown run. Eddie Martinez went in for two as the Mavericks’ lead increased to 30-8.
The bulk of Pearsall’s 360 yards of total offense came on the ground as the team rushed for 282 yards. Luna accounted for 139 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns. He also went seven of ten passing for 78 yards and a touchdown. Kingston Martinez added 60 yards on eight carries while Eddie Martinez tallied 46 yards on eight carries. Saenz also added 35 yards on four totes.
Ellis was once again Pearsall’s top receiver as he hauled in three catches for 41 yards and a score. Zachary Anzua and Andy Enriquez both had a pair of receptions. Anzua had a 16-yarder that he nearly broke for a touchdown and a six-yard reception that he also nearly scored on, ultimately being pulled down at the one.
Pearsall will hit the road once again this week for the third time in four games as they take on the Poteet Aggies on Friday.
The Aggies have struggled to an 0-3 mark this year and have scored only 16 points in three games. Poteet dropped a 27-9 decision to Bandera in their opener, were routed 56-7 by Goliad and were shut out 36-0 last week by Uvalde.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Aggie Field.