Falcons put up 70 points to remain undefeated in 32-5A

LOS FRESNOS — The Los Fresnos Falcons remained unbeaten in District 32-5A by breezing to a 70-27 victory over Lopez on a pleasant Friday night at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium.

The Falcons (5-1, 3-0 district) took control during the first quarter by building a 28-0 lead and held a 42-7 advantage at halftime.

The Falcons now face a key stretch of 32-5A games during the next three weeks against San Benito, Pace and Hanna.

"We just have to keep working hard, focus on the task at hand and get the job done," said Los Fresnos quarterback Eric Castillo, who rushed for a game-high 119 yards on 10 carries while running for one score and passing for another. "I have to thank the offensive line for giving me holes to run through. We (quarterbacks) did pretty good tonight."

Emilio Hernandez, who alternates with Castillo at QB, enjoyed an especially productive game, completing 19 of 20 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions. Like Castillo, he also ran for a score.

Things went bad on the first play of the game for Lopez as Ricardo Hernandez, starting for Lobos QB Danny Perez, threw an interception to give the Falcons a first down at the Lobos’ 12-yard line. Perez entered the game during the second quarter.

After the Hernandez interception, the Falcons scored in two plays to go up 7-0 on a 5-yard pass from Castillo to Lupe Garcia. Also in the first quarter for the Falcons, Castillo scored on a 16-yard run, Isaac Nuñez tallied on a 1-yard burst up the middle and Aaron Rangel caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Hernandez.

Los Fresnos boosted the lead to 35-0 in the second quarter when Rangel caught a 13-yard pass from Hernandez with 6:00 left before intermission.

Lopez’s Eric Castillo returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a TD and Juan Vera added the conversion as the Lobos made it 35-7 with 5:43 showing in the second period.

The Falcons added one more score before the half when Hernandez went in from 3 yards out with 28.6 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Robert Degollado added each of the Falcons’ first nine extra points.

The two teams traded scores during the third quarter, which ended 63-21 in Los Fresnos’ favor.

During the third period for the Falcons, Nuñez and Kristin Martinez each scored on a 6-yard run, and Bobby Zepeda caught a 47-yard TD pass from Hernandez. For the Lobos in the third, Eric Castillo returned an interception 85 yards for a TD and Pablo Torres broke loose on a 67-yard scoring run.

With 11:05 showing in the final quarter, Garcia caught a 6-yard scoring pass from Hernandez to make it 70-21 for Los Fresnos. Perez then connected with a wide-open Margarito Treviño for a 36-yard scoring play with 7:38 to go.

Eric Castillo was a standout for the Lobos (0-6, 0-3) with his 95-yard kickoff return and his 85-yard interception return, both of which went for TDs. Torres led Lopez with 76 yards rushing on seven carries.

Martinez, Rangel and Nuñez added 80, 60 and 52 yards rushing, respectively, for the Falcons. Rangel caught eight passes for 66 yards, while Zepeda made seven receptions for 133 yards.

The Falcons, who beat Lopez 63-19 one year ago in Brownsville, were coming off last week’s 52-34 road win over Rivera. Lopez previously lost at San Benito 36-24 last week.

District action continues for both teams Oct. 16 as Los Fresnos plays host to San Benito and Lopez takes on Pace.

Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.