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McAllen High routs La Joya High without starting quarterback
LA JOYA — Any concern for McAllen High about missing injured quarterback Austin Griffith was erased early and often.
Buoyed by five first half La Joya High turnovers, McHi defeated the Coyotes 63-25 without its starting QB Thursday at La Joya ISD Stadium.
Bulldogs coach Tony Harris would not say if Griffith (knee) will return next week other than that the QB is “very tough.”
“I thought the kids did a great job of taking care of their buddy,” Harris said. “They knew that there was nobody in this world that felt worse than Austin that he couldn’t play. The team took care of their buddy.”
Backup QB Angel Mora and wide receiver Nick Garza handled the signal calling duties for the Bulldogs (5-3 overall, 3-1 District 30-5A).
Garza marched the Bulldogs 63 yards in five plays on their opening possession, which ended on a Trey Dube 23-yard TD run to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 6:46 left in the first quarter.
And then came the help by the Coyotes (1-6, 0-4). On the ensuing possession, Coyotes QB Victor Leanos was picked off by defensive back Peter Rodriguez, who returned the interception 22 yards for the score and a 14-0 lead.
The Coyotes turned the ball over five times in the first half with all of the mishaps (two interceptions, three fumbles) leading to McHi scores.
“A turnover ratio is a good determination of how good your record is.” Harris said. “Usually, they are pretty representative of each other. You always want to be in the plus in the turnover ratio.”
Coyotes coach Leonel Casas has been concerned all season about his team’s turnover woes.
“We just can’t give the ball away as many times as we did,” Casas said. “In that first half, we gave them real good field position. You can’t do that.”
Because the Bulldogs built such a big lead, they didn’t have to throw the ball.
Dube led the way with 195 yards rushing and three TDs. Garza rushed for 142 and four scores.
Peter Rasmussen covers District 30-5A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.
