Bearkats' defense keys close 32-3A victory over Hidalgo

RAYMONDVILLE — If the 2009 Raymondville Bearkats need a nickname, “Kardiac Kats” would suffice.

For the second straight week, a down-to-the-wire nailbiter as played at Burnett Stadium.

But the Kats feel a whole lot better this time around.

Raymondville got 175 yards rushing from B.J. Flores, quarterback Bobby De La Paz had his best outing and the Kats’ D played tough as they held off Hidalgo 24-21 on Friday night.

“We needed this and it just shows you how big every game in this district is,” Raymondville head coach Alex Leal said. “Our kids just refused to lose. I’m super proud of our kids, but a big handshake goes to Hidalgo and their team, too.”

A week after falling by one point to La Feria in the final minute, the Bearkats (4-2 overall, 2-1 District 32-3A) were determined to not let it happen again.

But thanks to a valiant effort from Hidalgo (3-3, 2-1), it almost did.

“I have to give Raymondville all the credit in the world,” Hidalgo head coach Robin Kirk said. “We had some injuries, but that’s part of the game. We’ve got a young team and we’re gonna be OK.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the Bearkats got the scoring started in the second.

De La Paz (14-of-25, 162 yards, 2 TDs) found Skylore Janes (7 catches, 95 yards, 2 TDs) on a pretty 20-yard scoring pass in the corner of the end zone. David Medina’s point after was good.

After a Pirate punt, Jose Rivera nailed a 23-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

But then Hidalgo got rolling.

On the first play of their next possesion, John Peña (20-130, TD) zipped for a 53-yard scoring run. Marcelo Lopez’s PAT closed it to 10-7 with 3:35 left before half.

After a Bearkat punt, Hidalgo was back at it. Despite starting out 0-for-9 passing, Kevin Trevino got hot and completed three straight passes and later snuck in from a yard out to give the Pirates a 14-10 halftime edge.

But three missed field goals would hamper the rest of the evening for Kirk’s squad.

Hidalgo’s 41-yard miss coming out of intermission gave the Bearkats a chance.

That allowed De La Paz to give the Kats the lead when he stretched in from two-yards out to give them the lead.

But Trevino (12-29-0, 187 yards) found Gino Quiroz (6-128) to give Hidalgo a 21-17 edge with just over 10 minutes remaining. Then fate and/or the Bearkat defense intervened.

With the Kats driving, a snap went through De La Paz’s hands and was booted around until the Pirates recovered at the Bearkat 16. Hidalgo got as far as the Raymondville 6 before settling for a 30-yard field goal try that went awry, giving the Kats hope.

“We could have put the game away there,” Kirk said afterward.

The ensuing Raymondville drive was a thing of beauty with De La Paz at the controls.

First was a pass to C.J. Medrano (4-51) over the middle. Six plays later, he found Janes for a snazzy 17-yard over the shoulder reception and a 24-21 lead with just 1:50 to go.

Ever resilient, the Pirates made it interesting, driving to the Bearkat 24. However, a 41-yard field goal try just missed with two ticks left to preserve the victory.

“It was everybody tonight, I can’t single out anybody,” Leal said. “The kids just had to believe they could do it.”

Armando Garza covers District 32-3A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers.