Pirates pull away, pop Pearsall 28-14 in non-district contest

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | October 2, 2025

Lytle returned the opening kickoff for a score, took advantage of a Pearsall turnover and pulled away late to earn a 28-14 non-district win over the Mavericks last Friday at Mack Laxson Field.
Despite the kickoff return score, Pearsall managed to gain momentum but a turnover swung things in Lytle’s favor.
Quarterback Justin Rosado connected with Abel Elizondo on a 45-yard strike with 5:32 remaining in the first to tie the game at 7-7.
Following a defensive stand, the Mavericks were poised to get the ball back but a fumble on the punt return saw the Pirates recover it at the Pearsall 27-yard line. One play later, Lytle connected on a 27-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 lead.
“Several mistakes and not finishing plays in crucial parts of the game that has been our downfall once again,” PHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ruben DeLeon said. “The boys played hard throughout the night.

Pearsall’s Abel Elizondo evades a Lytle defender on an end around sweep during non-district action last Friday at Mack Laxson Field. (CURRENT photo: Manuel Azocar III)

“We have one last game to clean up these mistakes before our district season starts in two weeks.”
The score held throughout the first half as the Pirates missed a 30-yard field goal attempt with seconds remaining in the second.
After coming up short on fourth down at the Lytle 39 to open the third Pearsall eventually got the ball back and went down the field and scored on Tony Ramirez’ 20-yard scoring run. The extra point tied the game at 14-14 with 4:51 remaining in the third.
That would be as close as Pearsall would get as the Pirates added a pair of scores in the third.
Two plays after the Mavericks scored, Lytle hit paydirt on a 62-yard scoring strike to reclaim the lead, 21-14, with just a minute gone from the clock.
The Pirates would tack on a 23-yard score with 1:10 remaining in the stanza to extend the margin to 28-14.
Pearsall will look to turn their season around this week but will have to do it on the road as they travel to Zapata to take on the Hawks in their final non-district outing.
Zapata is 4-1 this year having lost only a 21-20 decision to Laredo Martin. The Hawks have posted wins over Laredo Cigarroa, 29-28, Corpus Christi King, 61-28, Roma, 24-0 and La Feria, 27-14.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Hawk Stadium.

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