Pass finally works during Donna's win

DONNA - Manny Moreno promised he would throw the ball more this season.

At first glimpse, the Donna coach's strategy wasn't working like he hoped. Quarterback Richard Garza's timing was a little shaky and the chemistry between the receivers and him obviously was off.

But with the game on the line, Garza needed just one perfect pass to get it done.

With the ball at the PSJA North 23-yard line with 1:20 left in the game, Garza threw a perfect spiral to tight-end Aaron Jackson for a 23-yard touchdown pass off a bootleg. It lifted the Redskins (1-0) to a thrilling 14-13 win over PSJA North at Bennie La Prade Stadium, ruining Bruce Bush's return to Donna.

"Coach called a good play," Garza said. "I just threw it, and Jackson made the catch."

Garza's numbers weren't the prettiest (6-of-12, 64 yards, one touchdown), but to him, it's definitely a start. Jackson (3 receptions, 45 yards, one touchdown) was his favorite target.

"I was a little off in the beginning, but I fought through it and we just finished off in the end," Garza said. "We're going to mix it up (this year). If we need to run, we'll run, if we need to pass, we'll pass."

Moreno's offense will continue to work, but the second-year coach was glad his players took the never-say-die approach with the game on the line.

"We're trying to open it up a little more, but when it counted they executed," Moreno said.

The drama was setup by Ray Arrambide's 46-yard punt return, which made up for his miscue earlier in the quarter on a punt to give the Raiders (0-1) the ball. Earlier in the half, Arrambide also couldn't haul in a catch in the end zone that would've given Donna a score.

"I had a bad night, but knowing that return helped out, that makes me feel good," he said.

On top of that, Arrambide also scored the Redskins' first touchdown of the year on a 5-yard scamper just before the first half to knot the game at 7. And Donna featured back Jacob Medina rushed for 146 yards on 19 carries.

The Raiders took control of the second half led by running backs Rey Ramirez (23 carries, 159 yards) and Andrew Villarreal (10-107). North was able to chew almost six minutes off the clock to start the third quarter, culminated by Ryan Ramirez' 2-yard plunge to put the Raiders up 13-7 after the missed extra point.

Ryan Ramirez scored each of North's touchdowns, with the other on a toss in the second quarter on a fourth-and-goal play.

Special teams came back to bite the Raiders with the punt coverage on Arrambide's return and a penalty on the first conversion of the extra point. It originally was good after the second TD, but a penalty made them attempt it again.

"I thought we set the tone with the first drive of the second half," Bush said. "I knew it would be a good game, but mistakes determine the difference in a close game."

The Raiders started sophomore quarterback Leo Garza (4-8, 34 yards) for regular starter Noe Garcia, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Bush said Garcia could've played, but decided on keeping him on the bench as a precautionary measure. Bush said Garcia will play next week against San Benito.