Another Slow start dooms McHi in defensive battle with Vela

McALLEN — The McAllen High Bulldogs have grown used to pulling out wins despite slow offensive starts this season.

Friday night seemed headed the same way, with the Bulldogs cutting the deficit to three points with just over two minutes remaining after a touchdown pass from senior quarterback McCoy Wolthoff to wideout Finn Henderson.

A quick three-and-out by the Vela offense gave the Bulldogs one last chance at a comeback.

The rally never came, however, as Edinburg Vela defensive back Devin Caballero jarred the ball loose from Henderson’s grip on the final drive, forcing a turnover that sealed the Sabercats’ 10-7 win Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“Our coach tells us all the time that defense is going to win games and championships,” Caballero said. “We got to get turnovers and score. That’s what we’re going to do. We got turnovers all game. We’re just going to keep progressing and keep growing this season.”

Despite slow starts, McHi entered Friday averaging more than 350 total yards and 39.5 points per game. The Sabercats’ defense made it look otherwise, forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions, while holding the Bulldogs to 263 yards and just one touchdown.

“We had a lot of respect for them coming in,” Caballero said. “We knew six (Henderson) and the quarterback (Wolthoff) were going to be dawgs. We knew we had to contain them and we did tonight.”

Senior linebacker OJ Cano set the tone early, intercepting Wolthoff’s second pass attempt to set up a 33-yard field goal by Robert Gonzalez.

Defensive back Jorge Ordonez added another takeaway on McHi’s next drive, jumping a route for an interception that led to a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Ruiz to George Fauls.

The nation’s leader in interceptions came up with the next turnover, as junior safety Caidyn Hoover made a diving grab to halt another McHi drive. The pick marked No. 9 this season for Hoover, further solidifying him as one of the top ball hawks in the country.

“I’ve been playing this game for a long time, since I was four I think,” Hoover said. “Just that experience and knowing what concepts they’re coming out with helps a lot. Just that experience and what I’ve played against have helped.”

Senior Sergio Briones came away with the fourth interception, but McHi’s offense finally showed life late in the fourth quarter, sparked by hard-nosed running from senior Hunter Morley.

A 17-yard gain jumpstarted the Bulldogs’ second-to-last drive, capped three plays later with Wolthoff connecting with Henderson for a touchdown to cut the lead to one score.

After another defensive stop, Wolthoff and Henderson linked up twice more on the final drive, but their last connection ended in heartbreak as Caballero forced the decisive fumble to secure the win.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for McHi, dropping the Bulldogs to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in district play.

Meanwhile, Vela improved to 4-1 with its third straight victory since a Week 2 loss to Edinburg High.

Both teams enter a district-wide bye next week before returning to league play in Week 7.

“That loss to Edinburg changed everyone as a person and as men,” Caballero said. “Every game since then has been different. It made us different football players. We’re going to keep putting our hearts out there.”