PL Calhoun trips up Mercedes

CORPUS CHRISTI – There’s only one offensive starter left from the Port Lavaca Calhoun team that beat Mercedes by 28 points last year at the Alamodome.

Despite the massive turnover, the Sandcrabs can still run the ball and capitalize on mistakes, which they did in beating the Tigers 28-17 Saturday night at Callalen.

Just 2:10 into the game, Mercedes opened the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run by Jaime Castaneda, capping off a quick drive that saw the Tigers pick up four first downs. But after that, the Tigers struggled to contain Calhoun QB Brandon Sanders, who rushed for 176 yards and 3 scores. Not helping Mercedes’ cause was four turnovers by Tigers quarterback Albert Chavez, with the senior losing three fumbles and throwing an interception. All four of those turnovers led to points, with Calhoun scoring its first 22 off Mercedes giveaways.

Mercedes coach Michael Uribe, making his debut as the Tigers’ head coach, said Chavez needs to learn that he doesn’t have to do everything himself.

“Even though he is our leader and our best player, he doesn’t have to carry the team on his shoulders,” Uribe said. “Sometimes it’s hard when you feel that amount of obligation to the team. But he’s going to be just fine, and I think it was very evident that he’s going to be just fine.”

Other than those turnovers, Chavez threw for 184 yards and a TD while rushing for 63 in his first game as the Tigers’ offensive leader replacing running backs Israel Vela and Alex Trevino. He was also breaking in a new offensive system for the Tigers, who routinely used four or even five wide receivers.

“He’s going to calm down,” Uribe said. “This is a new offense and I thought it was very effective. We moved the ball very well.”

But it was the rushing of Sanders and the Sandcrabs that punished the Tigers for turning the ball over. Overall, Calhoun rushed for 280 yards, with its lone passing play of the night a 36-yard TD pass from Sanders to Justin Ripple with 9:23 left in the first half that gave the Sandcrabs a 16-7 lead.

“This is one of those offenses that’s pretty tough on a quarterback, you have to make a lot of split-second decisions,” Calhoun coach Richard Whitaker said of Sanders, who was making his first career start running the Sandcrabs’ triple-option. “I thought Brandon did a good job tonight.”

Uribe was also impressed by Sanders and his ability to control the ball.

“That’s a credit to their kids and their coaching staff,” Uribe said. “They’re a hard-working coaching staff. I feel like it’s a machine over there right now.”

Brian Sandalow covers District 32-4A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.