END OF THE LINE

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | November 20, 2023

2023 AREA PLAYOFFS

Tidehaven blanks Dilley, Tigers remain unbeaten with 41-0 area playoff win.

DILLEY running back Johnny Rodriguez is bottled up by a host of Tidehaven defenders on this carry during the Wolves’ 41-0 area playoff loss to the Tigers on Friday, November 17. (Photo courtesy of Mirabella Castaneda)

Dilley picked up a first down on its initial possession but could do little after that as Tidenhaven scored 28 first half points en route to a 41-0 decision in the area playoffs last Friday, November 17 at Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway’s Warrior Stadium.
The #3 state ranked Tigers used a strong rushing attack to control the ball and the clock and their defense, which has limited opponents to 20 points for the entire year, pitched another shutout. Tidenhaven has shutout eight of its 11 opponents this season.
“They were a good team,” DHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach David Silva said. “Their running back made the difference offensively. They had some big boys on the defensive front that we just couldn’t hold out.
“I’m extremely proud of our team accomplishments this year, however, I said it from my arrival, based on where the program was, it would take three football season to get back to the Dilley Wolves’ level, and we are there.”
Silva praised the culture change in his program for the success his team had this season.
“All programs are solid, our numbers are where they need to be, and all levels know how to win and expect to win every time they step on the field,” he said. “We lose an awesome group of seniors, but, the work will start toward next season, as soon as we get back from the holidays.
“I’m proud of my coaching staff, either ex-Wolves or coaches that played for me or coached with me before. I thanks our community for all their support and our administration, school board and all administrators.”
Dilley had some success early on running the ball as they moved the chains on their opening possession but Tidehaven quickly adjusted and forced a Dilley punt.
Offensively, the Tigers were methodical in their attack. They broke off a 31-yard touchdown run on their opening possession and added a short four-yard score on their ensuing drive to go up 14-0 after the first.
They then hit on the big plays in the second, tossing a 51-yard touchdown pass early in the second and breaking off an 82-yard scoring run to build a 28-0 halftime lead.
Although already firmly in control of the contest, the Tigers would return the opening kickoff of the second half 60 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-0.
Tidehaven would add pair of field goals in the third and fourth quarters to cap the scoring.
Despite running five fewer plays than the Wolves, Tidehaven rolled up 390 yards of offense and 13 first downs while Dilley finished with 83 yards of offense and five first downs.
Turnovers played a role as well as the Wolves coughed it up three times on the night.
Jonavyn Gonzalez led Dilley with 44 yards rushing on ten carries while Seth Cano added 17 yards on 15 totes.
Dilley’s top rusher, Ethan Santos, was limited to 14 yards on only two carries and finished the season with 1,069 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Wolves cap an 8-3 season and were 5-1 runners-up in District 15-3A, Division II. The team snapped a five-year playoff drought and won its first playoff game since 2017 with a 34-27 decision over Santa Rosa in the bi-district round. Dilley also notched its first winning season since 2015 and its best record since going 8-4 in 2013.