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PEARSALL MAVERICKS FOOTBALL

Pearsall blocks Wildcat’s last-second field goal attempt and return it for game-winning touchdown.

PEARSALL quarterback Elijah Luna flies over a Carrizo Springs defender as he lunges for the goalline during the Mavs’ 32-26 District 14-4A, Division II victory over the Wildcats on Friday at Frank Carter Stadium. Luna rushed for a pair of touchdowns as the Mavs’ rallied from 14 points to secure the win. (CURRENT photo: Manuel Azocar III)

In a game that had it all, Pearsall rallied from a 14-point deficit and scored late to take their first lead, only to see Carrizo Springs drive down the field in the final seconds to line up for an attempted game-winning field goal. In the wildest finish in school history, the Mavericks blocked the attempted field goal and returned it 75 yards for a walkoff, 32-26 win.
Xavier Rendon knifed through the line and blocked the kick and Kingston Martinez scooped up the loose ball and raced, untouched into the endzone on the game’s final play.
The Wildcats had driven to the Mavs’ 25-yard line with time running down but were stopped on third down. Instead of trying one final play into the endzone, Carrizo Springs brought out its kicking team, which had an extra point attempt blocked on a previous series.
“It was a wild finish,” PHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ruben DeLeon said. “It has to be the craziest ending of a football game I have ever been a part of.
“We felt like we did not play our best game on Friday but found a way to come away with the win. The boys played tough throughout the night and did not quit when we had our backs against the wall.”
Pearsall came out the gates quickly and drove the length of the field on their opening possession but a personal foul penalty pushed them back from the three to the 18-yard line. The Mavs then came up empty on downs.
“Offensively, we had flashes in the first half but could not get going,” the coach said. “We had a great second half, scoring on all our possessions and making some adjustments.”
Carrizo Springs scored twice in the second quarter, bouncing back from Pearsall’s initial drive to go the length of the field in the second quarter. Quarterback Evan Castellanos went in from a yard out with 5:19 remaining in the half as the Wildcats went up 7-0.
A wild series of events unfolded following a Pearsall punt. The Wildcats broke off a 74-yard run to the two-yard line and scored a play later to take a 14-0 advantage. Pearsall’s Curtis Saenz then returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to put the Mavs on the board. Their extra point attempt failed, however, and Pearsall trailed 14-6 with 2:01 to play in the half.
The Mavs opened with possession in the third and quickly marched down the field. Elijah Luna, went in from two yards out for the score, his first of two on the night, but the two-point conversion attempt failed and Pearsall trailed 14-12 with 8:04 left in the third.
Pearsall’s momentum wouldn’t last, however, as the Wildcats needed only a minute and two plays to add to their lead. Castellanos took a keeper to the right, reversed course and cut back across the field and went 51 yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt failed and the Wildcats increased the margin to 20-12 with 7:04 to play in the third.
The Maverick special teams would come up big once again as Charlie Martinez returned the ensuing kick to the Carrizo Springs 37-yard line to set up Pearsall. Luna would take advantage as he led the team down the field and scored from two yards out. He then ran in for two points to tie the game at 20-20 with 4:03 left in the third.
The Wildcats then capped another drive with a crucial fourth down conversion for a score early in the fourth. Pearsall stopped Carrizo Springs on third down to force a fourth and 10 at the 27-yard line. Castellanos found a receiver in the endzone for the touchdown. Pearsall blocked the extra point attempt to keep the margin at six points, trailing 26-20 with 10:05 to play.
The Mavs then mounted another long, time-consuming drive of their own. They marched down the field and went in from two yards out as Martinez barreled into the endzone. Pearsall’s extra point attempt sailed just wide right and the game was tied 26-26 with 4:35 to play.
Undaunted, the Wildcats went down the field on their final possession, moving down to the Pearsall 25-yard line where the Maverick defense finally stiffened with 10 seconds to play. Having previously gone for it on fourth and long and scoring, the Wildcats instead opted to try a 35-yard field goal.
Pearsall’s special teams then came up big one final time as Rendon blocked the attempt, which then bounced into Martinez’ hands, who went the distance for the walkoff touchdown.
The play went viral on social media with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s X account even replying to a video clip of the game-winning play with one word: INSANITY.
For only the second time this season, Pearsall was outgained on offense as the Wildcats rolled up 406 yards and 14 first downs. The bulk of the damage was done on the ground. The Mavericks accounted for 256 yards of total offense and 15 first downs, also largely on the ground.
Luna finished with 111 yards rushing on 20 carries and two scores and also went three of five passing for 41 yards. He now has over 1,200 yards of total offense this season and 22 total touchdowns. He’s run for 17 and thrown five more.
Martinez added 76 tough rushing yards on 11 carries and a score. Andy Enriquez hauled in a clutch 29-yard reception while Rendon and Ellis also had catches.
Pearsall now has the task of overcoming the emotional win and focusing on a 5-1 Bandera team that is coming to Mack Laxson Field this week.
“This week we will be in for a big test with Bandera coming to town in a crucial district ball game for us,” DeLeon said.
The Bulldogs are coming off a bye week and will be well-rested entering Friday’s contest. Bandera won four straight games to open the year, notching, 27-9, 28-14, 49-7 and 35-28 wins over Poteet, Cotulla, San Antonio Kennedy and Cole before losing a 37-25 decision to Hondo. The Bulldogs dropped Robstown 42-35 prior to their off week.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. on Friday.