Brahmas best mavs

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | October 4, 2023

PEARSALL MAVERICKS FOOTBALL

Pearsall comes up empty on pair of trips inside the 15 in one-score loss to Stockdale.

PEARSALL wide receiver Xavier Rendon hauls in a reception along the sideline during the close of the first half last Friday against Stockdale at Mack Laxson Field. The Mavs will open district play this Friday at Carrizo Springs. (CURRENT photo: Manuel Azocar III)

For a second straight year Pearsall endured a difficult loss to Stockdale, falling 21-14 to the Brahmas on Friday night at Mack Laxson Field.
This loss also probably proved more painful than last season’s 29-0 shutout at the hands of Stockdale as the Mavericks squandered several scoring opportunities, including one late in the game to possibly tie the game or take the lead. The Brahmas also added a touchdown just before halftime, scoring with 18 seconds until intermission.
“We played well against Stockdale, we knew it was going to be a physical game on both sides of the ball,” PHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ruben DeLeon said. “This matchup was going to be a good test to see where we stood as a team before entering district play and what we needed to go clean up and fix.
“We had our opportunities throughout the game but could not cash them in when we needed too. We missed some throws, blocks, or assignments when we needed them in crucial times during the game. This loss shows us where we stand entering into district play and what we need to work on as a team.”
Pearsall misfired early on and it led to Stockdale’s first points of the night. A quick three-and-out on their opening series and a short punt handed the Brahmas the ball at the Maverick 41-yard line.
Stockdale covered the distance in six plays as quarterback Camden Derricoatte went in from a yard out for the score and a 7-0 Brahmas lead.
Pearsall’s second possession went down to the Stockdale 15-yard line but an incompletion, a loss on a Jet Sweep and a sack set up a fourth and 25 for Pearsall but Elijah’s Luna’s pass to Tristan Ellis fell short of the sticks and the Mavs turned it over on downs.
Following a defensive stop, Kingston Martinez broke off a 38-yard run to set up Pearsall at the 11-yard line. Luna would then go in from nine yards out to tie things up at 7-7 with 4:22 to play in the half.
Stockdale struck one of their more damaging blows of the night just before halftime as the Brahmas capped a nice drive with a four-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds remaining in the second as Derricoatte found Giovanni Medrano on a short slant for the score.
Pearsall appeared to have a shot at the end of the half as Luna connected with Xavier Rendon on a 35-yard pass along the sideline to the Stockdale 33 and then heaved a shot into the endzone that Rendon also appeared to come down with but the ball came out at the end of the play and was ruled incomplete.
Stockdale threatened at the Pearsall 29 to open the second half but Shawn Rivera stepped in front of a Derricoatte pass and returned it to the 32. A penalty, however, moved the ball back to the Mavs’ own 14-yard line.
After an exchange of possessions, Luna drove the team 71 yards down the field, highlighted by Ellis’ 31-yard reception along the visitor’s sideline. Luna then went in from eight yards out to tie the game 14-14 early in the fourth.
Stockdale then gambled late, taking a 27-yard field goal off the board after Pearsall was called for an offsides penalty on fourth and six. The Brahmas instead went for it on fourth down and made it, eventually scoring on Derricoatte’s four-yard run. The extra point put the Brahmas up 21-14 with 2:30 to play.
Ellis had a nice kick return to the 40 and Luna then found Zachary Anzua on a 35-yard strike to the 11 with 1:17 to play. Pearsall’s best shot came as Luna scrambled but couldn’t connect with Andres Enriquez in the back of the endzone on second down. A fade to Rendon in the corner of the endzone fell incomplete and Luna was sacked on fourth down as the Brahmas held on for the narrow win.
“The biggest message to the boys with this loss, is that it does not hurt our chances to reach our goals as a team,” DeLeon said of the contest. “We have to learn and grow as a team so we do not repeat the same mistakes in district play moving forward.”
Pearsall outgained the Brahmas, racking up 275 yards of total offense and 13 first downs. Stockdale finished with 269 yards and 16 first downs.
Luna paced the offense with 225 total yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. He has 20 total touchdowns on the season. Martinez ran for 55 yards on seven carries and Ellis hauled in four catches for 62 yards.
Pearsall will kick off their district slate this Friday on the road as they take on the Carrizo Springs Wildcats at Frank Carter Stadium.
The Wildcats are 2-4 this season, notching wins over Hebbronville, 27-21, and rival Crystal City, 25-23. The team is coming off a 69-28 drubbing by Ingleside in their non-district finale. Carrizo Springs was more than competitive a year ago in losing a narrow 28-27 decision to the Mavericks.
Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Maverick receiver Zachary Anzua hauls in a pass and breaks into the open field late in the fourth quarter. Anzua’s reception set up Pearsall’s final attempt to take the lead last Friday.
(CURRENT photos: Manuel Azocar III)

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