Bulldogs muscle past Mission 38–23 behind Morley’s 85-yard burst, Wolthoff’s poise
McALLEN — McAllen High leaned on its ground game and a poised senior quarterback to turn a back-and-forth first half into a 38–23 district win over Mission on Thursday at Veterans Memorial Stadium, clinching a winning season and keeping the Bulldogs firmly in the playoff chase.
Quarterback McCoy Wolthoff led the charge with two passing touchdowns and a 26-yard rushing score, spreading the ball to playmakers Cinco Jones, Hunter Morley, and Joaquin Alvarez behind a physical offensive line anchored by Bryan Bazan. The senior said afterward that the offense felt “clicked on all cylinders,” praising his teammates for making his job easier. “Shoutout to all of them — they’re dogs,” Wolthoff said. “Every single one of them can make a play, and it makes my job super easy.”
Mission (3–6, 2–4) landed the first punch as quarterback Alejandro Cano threw touchdowns to Santiago Gonzalez and Eli Alvarado, sandwiching a 44-yard field goal by Angel Leiva to grab an early 10–7 edge. McAllen (6–3, 4–2) responded with its aerial rhythm, as Wolthoff connected twice with Jones in the end zone — from 13 and 11 yards — and kicker Cash Cazares capped the half with a 46-yard field goal at the horn to put the Bulldogs up 24–17.
Wolthoff opened the third quarter by taking matters into his own hands, keeping the ball on a 26-yard touchdown run that gave McAllen breathing room. “To be honest, I should’ve thrown the checkdown to Hunter,” he admitted. “But I saw outside pressure coming from the right and knew I could step up in the pocket and make a play.”
Mission found new life when Shelby Sital scooped up a loose ball and raced 75 yards for a touchdown to make it a one-score game. The Eagles immediately recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but the Bulldog defense answered as Riley Owsley picked off Cano in the end zone to halt the drive. On the very next play, Morley broke loose for an 85-yard touchdown that silenced the comeback hopes and put McAllen ahead 38–23.
The Bulldogs’ offensive front controlled the line of scrimmage throughout, clearing the way for more than 300 rushing yards and 23 first downs. Wolthoff credited his protection for the team’s confidence in the pocket. “Total confidence — I completely trust them with my life,” he said. “Those guys are my dogs, and they definitely earned another steak night.”
For Wolthoff, Thursday’s victory carried extra meaning as his final home game in a Bulldog uniform. “It means everything,” he said. “It’s been a long, hard journey, and it’s so rewarding. I just love it, man. Shoutout to my teammates, the community, and my dad — he’s always been out there for me.”
Now 6–3 overall, McAllen has won three straight and sits in third place in District 16-5A DI behind Vela and Memorial. The Bulldogs can solidify playoff seeding next week against crosstown rival Rowe. “Our message is to play hard no matter what,” Wolthoff said. “Whether we’re up by 20 or down by 20, we’ve got great chemistry, and our coaches will lead us to victory.”
Mission, which saw its two-game win streak snapped, will look to bounce back at home against Juarez-Lincoln in its regular-season finale.
