Del Rio eliminates Donna, looks ahead to Edinburg High

LAREDO — Del Rio’s big-play game in the first half and all-around tough defense was plenty enough to beat Donna 31-7 in a Class 5A Division I bi-district playoff on Saturday at the Student Activity Complex. It was the Rams’ first playoff win since 1971.

Del Rio (9-2) will face Edinburg High (6-5) in the area round at 6 p.m. Saturday at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio.

“They made some plays when they had to,” Donna coach Manny Moreno said of Del Rio. “We couldn’t come up with the big plays when we needed them. Our kids fought hard. I got a bunch a great kids, and I was blessed to coach them.”

Del Rio held Donna to 115 total yards, including just 13 in the second half. The Rams finished with 307 total yards, including 256 on the ground.

“We had some big plays on offense in the first half,” said Del Rio coach Stephen Hoffman, whose team led 21-7 at halftime. “Our defense has played great all year, and they were super tonight. We keep it very simple. We just line our kids up and let them make plays.”

Running back Josh Washington was the workhorse for the Rams, rushing 18 times for 100 yards. He gained exactly half of those on the Rams’ first two plays from scrimmage. He scored from 35 yards out on the second play to put Del Rio ahead 7-0.

Donna answered on a 1-yard sneak by Alahn Yanez in the final minute of the first quarter on a play that was set up by a fumble on a punt return.

But Del Rio responded with touchdowns on the next two drives in the second quarter. Washington scored from 1-yard out after quarterback Michael Wancho’s 51-yard run two plays before. John Steed gave the Rams a 21-7 lead with a 1-yard run of his own. It was set up by a 31-yard reception by Washington.

Jesse Sanchez had a 27-yard field goal and Saul Sanchez scored a 5-yard touchdown run in the final quarter to close out the scoring.

Del Rio hopes to get have their two offensive weapons — the running back tandem of Washington and Steed — healthy for Edinburg. Washington went out with what appeared to be an ankle injury midway through the fourth quarter and did not return. Steed, Del Rio’s other back, has been battling a leg injury and was not at full strength Saturday.

David Hinojosa covers sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4442 or via e-mail dhinojosa@themonitor.com.