Cowboys outlast Mustangs 18-11 in defensive battle

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | October 2, 2024

DISTRICT 15-3A, DIVISION II FOOTBALL

Cotulla shook off some first half cobwebs and scored 18 second half points to pull away and claim a tougher-than-expected 18-11 win over Nixon-Smiley in the District 15-3A, Division II opener on the road last Friday.
In what proved to be a defensive battle, Cotulla limited the Mustangs to 198 total yards and one touchdown in the narrow victory.
“Nixon is a good squad that came out playing hard in front of a great home crowd,” CHS AD and Head Football Coach Esteban Rodriguez said. “This week we will work to stop the Slot-T (offense) for the second week in a row.
“Stockdale has done a great job to start this season. They have tough kids that will play hard for all four quarters. We will be home for the next two weeks, so we are hoping to put on a great performance for our home crowd.”
Although the Mustangs ran 14 more plays than Cotulla, the Cowboys outgained Nixon-Smiley, accounting for 222 yards of total offense and 11 first downs. Seven penalties for 80 yards in losses also hampered Cotulla’s efforts.
The Mustangs cracked the scoreboard late in the first on a touchdown run and converted for two points to take an 8-0 lead. That margin would hold through halftime as neither offense could muster any additional points.
Cotulla turned things around in the third with a pair of scoring runs.
Alex Medina capped a drive with a tough five-yard run into the endzone. The Cowboys could not convert and trailed 8-6.
Marco Benavidez then cashed in for Cotulla on the team’s next possession, going off tackle and sprinting 20-yards for another touchdown. The play came after the Cowboys successfully converted an onsides kick and recovered to regain possession. The Cowboys could not, however, convert on the PAT and held a 12-8 lead early in the third.
Cotulla forced Nixon-Smiley to kick a field goal on a possession late in the third, which the Mustangs converted to cut the margin to 12-11 going into the fourth.
Midway through the fourth dynamic Cotulla running back Jose Gonzalez finally broke free for a big play. The senior back went off tackle but cut back to the middle of the field and hit daylight as he ran away from the defense.
Cotulla’s conversion attempt was once again no good and the Cowboys extended their lead to 18-11.
Gonzalez led the offense with 106 yards on only nine carries and a touchdown. Quarterback Alex Medina added 68 yards on 12 carries and a score while Benavidez finished with 34 yards and a touchdown.
The Cotulla passing game could not get going against the Mustangs as Medina was limited to one of seven passing for a single yard and an interception.
Defensively, the Cowboys were all over the field and were led by Eric Aldaco who tallied six total tackles, including three for a loss and a sack.
Joe Rodriguez, Ricardo Ruiz and Benavidez all finished with seven tackles while Frank Torres, Medina, Brayden Rodriguez and Victor Moreno all tallied six tackles.
Cotulla will have another tough outing this week as they host the Stockdale Brahmas. Stockdale is 3-1 this season having posted wins over Marion 34-28, San Antonio Cole 34-28, and SA YMLA 42-7. The team’s only loss is a 40-23 decision to Falls City.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Meyers Memorial Stadium in Cotulla.