Interceptions cost Coyotes in loss to Judson

LAREDO — If not for two bad throws, Saturday’s La Joya-Converse Judson game could have been remembered for one extraordinary kick by the Coyotes’ Sergio Castillo.

That kick, a 58-yard field goal as time expired to end the first half, set a Rio Grande Valley record by four yards. But two fourth-quarter interceptions thrown by La Joya’s Stephen Ramirez, one of which was returned for a touchdown, ended the Coyotes’ season in a 34-16 loss to the Rockets (9-4), who will face San Antonio Reagan next Saturday in San Antonio.

Judson coach Jim Rackley, who earlier in the week sounded worried about La Joya’s size, sounded more relieved than happy to be advancing.

“La Joya played hard. La Joya and their community have a lot to be proud of,” Rackley said. “Those kids were well-coached. They didn’t just play hard, they played with class. And that’s what high school football is really all about.”

La Joya coach Leonel Casas refused to comment after the game.

Prior to Saturday, however, Casas had spoken at length about how his team needed to limit turnovers and mistakes. Last week against PSJA High, the Coyotes forced eight turnovers and turned them into 28 points for a 28-14 upset win.

For three quarters, Casas’ plan to control the ball was working.

Trailing 21-16 with 7:21 remaining, Ramirez (11-21, 175 yards, one TD and two INTs) was intercepted by Rockets linebacker Luke Boswell at the Judson 40. Boswell returned it to the Coyotes’ 1-yard line, and on the next play Judson QB Austin Quinney scored to take a 27-16 lead.

The interception was Ramirez’s first of the day and forced the Coyotes to throw into a stiff wind. Fully expecting the Coyotes to pass, Rackley’s defense starting rushing Ramirez harder than it had all day.

It paid off with 4:05 left when Ramirez was hit as he threw and sent a 2-yard wobbler right into the hands of Judson defensive lineman William Thornton, who returned it 53 yards for another TD. The extra point gave Judson a 34-16 lead and effectively ended the Coyotes’ season.

“Our kids kept staying active, and they made some big plays,” Rackley said. “Defensively, they got some turnovers and they made the most of it.”

The Rockets also were helped by running back Mitchell Swan, who had two rushing touchdowns. The first was a 75-yard TD run with 6:46 remaining in the first half to put Judson up 14-7. Swan shrugged off hits from two Coyotes defenders, then knocked into one of his own offensive linemen but managed to stay on his feet and outrun La Joya into the end zone.

“I saw a hole, cut into it and one of my offensive linemen kept me balanced,” said Swan, who rushed for 160 yards on 14 carries. “I just ran it in all the way.

“I think it was good that I ran into that lineman.”

Swan’s second touchdown gave the Rockets a 21-10 lead. That run, which came on a fourth down with 4:07 remaining in the third, started with Swan avoiding La Joya defenders in the backfield to keep the play alive.

Despite coming from a district that had four teams advance to the regional semifinals, Swan wasn’t surprised La Joya had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

“Our defense knew how they run the ball,” said Swan, who outrushed La Joya 160 to 151. “We know that we have to score and keep the defense off the field.”

Rackley echoed what his star running back said.

“I expected them to play just like that,” Rackley said of a team that finished its season with seven losses. “We’ve seen them play and that’s what they expected. We know they’ve got talent and tradition.”

In its last game as one school, La Joya made one final mark on Valley history.

Castillo’s kick, which cleared the uprights by at least five yards, was the fifth longest in state history. The kick brought cheers from Judson fans, who seemed to realize what they had seen.

“I haven’t felt that good in a long time. It’s just like the NFL kickers…” Castillo said before Casas told him to stop the interview.

That kick, however, is the only positive the Coyotes will take into the offseason.

Brian Sandalow covers District 30-5A for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956)-683-4436.