Bobcats Are Back: Edinburg ends 11-year drought vs. Vela, 19–6

EDINBURG — For 11 years straight, the Edinburg High Bobcats have lost to crosstown rival Edinburg Vela. That streak ended Friday night. This time, the Bobcats came out on top, grinding out a 19–6 victory at Richard R. Flores Stadium in front of more than 5,000 fans.

“This feels unbelievable,” senior running back Woodrow Villarreal said. “The Bobcats are back. We came together as a team and got the job done.” Villarreal, one of 33 seniors on the roster, scored the game’s opening touchdown with 4:20 left in the first quarter, powering in from two yards out to give Edinburg a 7–0 lead.

The Bobcats’ defense made that score stand until halftime. Linebacker Orly Martinez intercepted a pass late in the second quarter, stalling a Vela drive at midfield and keeping the Sabercats scoreless through the opening half.

First-year head coach Joe Peña said the early defensive stands gave his team confidence. “Any time you win the turnover battle and play as one, good things happen,” Peña said. “The defense did a great job. Offensively, we gave the quarterback a little more freedom based on what he sees.”

That freedom paid off in the second half. After a Vela punt snap rolled through the end zone for a safety midway through the third quarter, kicker Chris Barrera tacked on a 19-yard field goal to make it 12–0.

In the fourth quarter, quarterback Aidden Sanchez found receiver Ethan Calderon on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 3:52 remaining to push the lead to 19–0. The Bobcats’ sideline erupted, sensing the end of a decade-long drought.

Vela finally broke through in the closing minute with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Castillo to Raul Guzman Jr., but the two-point try failed, and the Bobcats secured the 19–6 win.

Villarreal, who has played varsity since his freshman year, said this game had been circled for months. “After coming off our loss against Mercedes, we knew we had to focus and unify better,” he said. “We fought through adversity and this was the outcome.”

Peña, who came to Edinburg from Weslaco, where he served as offensive coordinator, credited his team’s senior leadership for delivering the breakthrough. “It’s been a monkey on their back for a long time,” he said. “I’m glad we got to help them overcome that hurdle. Our boys are still hungry, but this is a good start.”

Edinburg improved to 1–1 and will host Brownsville Hanna on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Flores Stadium. Vela dropped to 1–1 and returns to action Friday, hosting the Harlingen High School Cardinals.