Espinoza’s big night powers Raiders past Patriots

PHARR — PSJA North quarterback Drayden Espinoza heard the noise heading into his junior season. The third-year letter winner entered 2026 with big shoes to fill, with many doubting what he could do as the Raiders’ QB1.
Preseason lists rarely mentioned the dual-threat quarterback after he saw limited time at the position during his first two seasons.

Espinoza has silenced the doubters through the first two weeks of the regular season, delivering back-to-back multi-touchdown performances, including a 340-total-yard, four-touchdown outing Thursday during a 56-14 beatdown of Mission Veterans at PSJA Stadium.

“I’ve been doubted a lot, especially with the rankings,” Espinoza said. “People are ranking me at the bottom. I took that personal because I am the No. 1 quarterback and I believe that for myself. It was an amazing performance for me, but also for my team.”

Espinoza set the tone early for his team, leading a pair of scoring drives to during the opening quarter to give PSJA North an early 12-0 lead.

He broke the game open during the second, breaking a 52-yard touchdown run, followed by a 49-yard strike to sophomore Ryan Diaz before adding a one-yard touchdown plunge before the half to give PSJA North a 35-0 halftime advantage.

“A very amazing game,” Espinoza said. “Shoutout to Mission Vets for playing against us. They weren’t dirty of anything. Just some tension there. They’re a good team. Just a great game, but I couldn’t be more proud of my team.”

A third quarter surge brought Mission Veterans within striking distance of the Raiders, scoring a pair of touchdowns to cut their deficit to just 21 heading into the final period.

Quarterback Roman Reyna got the Patriots on the board midway through the quarter on a 44-yard touchdown pass to Fabian Ruiz, later connecting with him once again to make it 35-14 after three.

With Espinoza leading the way, PSJA North answered with a flurry of touchdowns during the fourth, scoring on three of their last four drives to secure the 56-14 win.

Espinoza was on the scoring end of one of those three touchdown drives, breaking free for a 20-yard score to open the fourth. Running back Antwon Estrada added a 34-yard touchdown run, while Mason Villalpando put the final nail in the coffin with a 22-yard touchdown scamper late in the period.

“It was a good ball game,” Kaufmann said. “The kids executed really well. Our emotions got away from us a little in the second half. Had a couple of penalties, but it’s good to have that right now so we can work through it. We were able to control ourselves again, get composed and finish off playing really good football.”

Espinoza finished the game with 200 passing yards and one touchdown pass, while also rushing for over 140 yards and three scores. Mark Quintanilla chipped in 83 yards and one touchdown on the ground, while Estrada added 75 yards and a score.

Reyna led the Patriots through the air, completing 8-of-15 passes for 114 yards and two scores, while also adding 40 yards on 14 carries. Ruiz finished the game with 95 yards and two touchdowns on three receptions.
The Patriots (1-1) will look to get back in the win column as they hit the road to take on Weslaco High (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.

The Raiders (2-0) will look to stay perfect as they travel to Richard R. Flores Stadium to face off against Edinburg Vela (0-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s actually going to be good for us to get on the road a bit to start the season,” Kaufmann said. “It is just luck of the draw. Next year we’re going to have seven or eight games at home.”