Hanna holds off Lopez

The Hanna Golden Eagles ran into a Lopez Lobos team starving for its first win of the season.

Unfortunately for the Lobos, Anthony Garza and company had other ideas.

Garza had 10 receptions for 241 yards and four touchdowns to help keep Hanna unbeaten in District 32-5A with a thrilling 49-42 shootout win over Lopez.

"It was a tough, tough game," Hanna coach Tom Chavez said. "Anthony was unbelievable tonight, and the rest of the offense is really starting to click. We are going to have to put this game behind us and play better. We’ve got to start thinking about next week."

Golden Eagles quarterback Randy Rey also had a stellar performance, as he went 16 of 23 for 329 yards and four touchdowns.

Lopez QB Danny Perez wasn’t too shabby, either, as he was 17 of 27 for 327 yards and four touchdowns, including one to Ricardo Hernandez that cut the lead to 42-35 with 5:51 left in the game.

"I’m really proud of the way the team played," Lopez coach Valentin Montemayor said. "We’re 0-8, but none of these coaches or players are going to quit. We were right there until the end. Hopefully this translates next week against Porter then Weslaco (High)."

The Lobos’ defense held Hanna and got the ball back with 3:22 to go, but the Golden Eagles’ pressure up front forced an errant throw. Angelo Quadalquvir intercepted the ball, putting Hanna back in the driver’s seat with 2:27 to play in the fourth.

Hanna coach Tom Chavez called Quadalquvir’s number five plays later, and he delivered the knockout punch with a 13-yard TD run for a 49-35 advantage.

Mague Treviño added a 6-yard touchdown reception with 7.7 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 49-42.

Lopez held a 23-21 lead in the second quarter after a high snap on fourth down went sailing past the back of the end zone with just under 2:22 left in the half.

Hanna came out firing after holding Lopez to a quick three-and-out, regaining the lead at 28-23 six plays later as Enrique Saldaña punched it in from 1 yard out to complete a 72-yard drive with 22.8 seconds left in the first half. Saldaña ended the game with 171 yards rushing.

The Golden Eagles opened the second half with another impressive drive, one that was capped off by a one-handed touchdown catch by Garza in between two defenders.

Lopez made its first big mistake on offense on the ensuing drive as Danny Perez’s option pitch to Rafael Arizpe was fumbled and recovered by Josh Herrera.

Garza struck again three plays later, this time with an 18-yard score while leaping over a Lopez defender to haul in a reception that put Hanna up 41-23 with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter.

Louie Vera covers District 32-5A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at lvera@brownsvilleherald.com.