Defense allows Brownsville Pace to edge San Benito

Pace’s defense can flex its muscles.

The Vikings’ defense held San Benito to only seven points in the second half and stopped San Benito’s Brandon Marquez on the Greyhounds’ final drive, giving Pace a thrilling 33-28 victory Saturday night at Sams Stadium.

Pace’s win gives the Vikings a chance to claim a piece of the District 32-5A title when they play the Hanna Golden Eagles on Thursday.

"It feels awesome," Vikings coach Rene Medrano said about the win. "These kids really deserve this, and they worked very hard to have a chance next week to share the district title. I really believe these are the hardest working kids in the state."

On the flip side, San Benito’s loss means the Rivera Raiders are still alive. The two will meet in a do-or-die matchup next week, with the winner reaching the postseason while the other cleans out the lockers and turns in the equipment.

"We can’t make that many mistakes against a good football team like that," Greyhounds coach Spencer Gantt said. "They had a great game plan, and they stuck to it. These kids have a lot of class and character, and they are going to play their guts out next week."

Pace’s offense and defense fed off each other as the Vikings started the bonfire with two third-quarter touchdowns, a 13-yard Mike Trejo run followed by a 23-yard scoring pass from Rodrigo Tostado to Alan Perez, giving Pace a 33-21 with 4:27 in the third.

San Benito cut the lead to 33-28 when Marquez completed a nine play, 59-yard drive at 3:25 in the fourth quarter.

The Greyhounds’ defense came up with a big three-and-out, and the ‘Hounds got back to work on offense. Marquez took the ’Hounds to the Vikings’ 45, but Pace’s defense was stout. Pace forced three incomplete passes, including one on fourth down that was called intentional grounding with 13 seconds left.

Tostado took a knee and set up a gigantic season finale against the Eagles.

San Benito opened the game on fire, scoring two touchdowns in three plays with two rushes by Marquez. One was a 71-yard dash and the other was a 5-yarder for the opening score.

Pace tied the game on the ensuing drive, marching down the field on nine running plays and capping it off with Tostado’s 1-yard scoring dive.

Marquez fired back on San Benito’s next snap, hitting J.C. Guzman in stride for a 65-yard touchdown to put the Greyhounds up 14-6 with 7:08 in the first quarter. The senior quarterback ended the game with 198 yards and two touchdowns rushing, and two more TDs through the air.

Tostado and Trejo combined for 314 yards and four touchdowns on 44 carries to lead a Vikings offense that accumulated 390 yards.

Louie Vera covers District 32-5A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at lvera@brownsvilleherald.com.