Unbeaten Sharyland surges past Laredo Alexander

MISSION — Laredo Alexander arrived at Rattler Stadium on Friday with a budding star at quarterback and a passing game to be weary of. Not to mention, the Bulldogs also were somewhat on a roll, having won four of their last six games.

Sharyland, tough, could have cared less.

Five different Rattlers scored touchdowns and the defense was more than up for the challenge as Sharyland routed Alexander 46-13 in a Class 5A Division II, bi-district contest.

Sharyland (11-0) advances to take on Edinburg North in the area round. Specifics of the game will be determined today.

The win also ties the 2003 squad with most victories in a season with 11.

“We just want one game at a time,” said Rattlers corner Jerry Cavazos, who had two interceptions in the game. “It is an added bonus. This whole season is about making history and (next week) we could make more history.”

Early on it looked as if Alexander was going toss the history books right out the window. Sharyland QB Scottie Meyer (141 yards rushing, two touchdowns) was picked off on the Rattlers’ second possession and with the Bulldogs leading 7-6.

Like it mattered.

On the ensuing possession, Bulldogs QB Brian Swain fumbled at the 24-yard line where the ball was picked up by linebacker Agustin Ordorica, who returned it to the Bulldogs’ 9. Sharyland mustered only a field goal and a 9-7 lead but it shifted the momentum in the Rattlers’ favor for good.

“We started off real good,” Bulldogs coach Joel Lopez said. “With a team like Sharyland, the turning point can be early in the game. You can’t play catch-up with a team like Sharyland.”

Only 20 seconds after the Joey Martinez field goal, Cavazos intercepted Swain’s pass and needed only 5 yards for a defensive TD that gave the Rattlers a 20-7 lead.

“Our defense played extremely well tonight,” Rattlers coach Fred Sanchez said. “They caused some turnovers and made some plays. They started off the game very strong. The defense gave us some opportunities.”

The Rattlers forced five turnovers, which resulted in 24 Sharyland points. The Rattlers allowed 318 yards, but most of that came in garbage time. Swain completed 14-of-32 attempts for 222 yards, including a 74-yard TD pass to Xavier Skaggs.

“Anytime your defense plays really well, it makes it easy on the offense,” Sanchez said.

Peter Rasmussen covers District 30-5A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448 or via e-mail at prasmussen@themonitor.com.