EDINBURG — With its offense struggling to put the game away and scoreless in the second half, Edinburg High’s defense delivered the play the Bobcats needed.
Senior defensive end Uziel Flores scooped up a La Joya fumble off a botched toss and returned it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, providing the difference as Edinburg held off the Coyotes 24-17 Thursday night at Richard R. Flores Stadium.
The victory improved Edinburg to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in District 31-6A, while La Joya fell to 3-5 overall and 1-2 in district.
For Edinburg head coach Joe Pena, the importance went beyond adding another win to the schedule.
“Every game is a big game,” Pena said. “This game was particularly big because nothing’s guaranteed in the playoff rounds. We feel like this might be a playoff seeding game, and hopefully it is.”
Both teams burst out of the gates strong.
Senior quarterback Aidden Sanchez helped put Edinburg in control early. He led the Bobcats down the field on their opening possession before keeping the ball himself for a 2-yard touchdown run.
La Joya answered behind its physical rushing attack.
Sophomore running back Fabian Arjona finished a Coyote drive with a touchdown run to tie the game at 7 late in the opening quarter.
Edinburg responded before the quarter ended. Xavi Lopez connected on a 25-yard field goal to put the Bobcats back in front 10-7, and Sanchez struck again in the second quarter, scoring his second rushing touchdown of the night on a 9-yard keeper, giving Edinburg the advantage 17-7. That would be the last time the Bobcats offense would score.
Sanchez said Edinburg entered the night understanding what was at stake.
“My goal was obviously to come with a W,” Sanchez said. “We had a lot of pressure on our shoulders, and we had to come out and dominate. People were doubting us, and we just came in here and got the dub.”
The Coyotes controlled much of the third quarter and eventually cut into the lead with a 35-yard field goal from Abrham Armijo, making it 17-10. La Joya repeatedly brought pressure against Sanchez, forcing him to escape the pocket and make decisions with defenders closing around him.
“I have to run the ball or I have to throw it,” Sanchez said. “I got down on myself pretty bad. I got emotional a little bit, but I saw my teammates, and they do whatever I do. If I get down, they go down. So I’ve got to lift up my teammates and keep going and have that good mindset.”
Pena also acknowledged the difference between the two halves.
“It’s all about finishing as a team,” Pena said. “Momentum can change at any time. As long as we keep a level head going into halftime, we can respond with anything.”
That response ultimately came from the defense.
With La Joya again moving the football in the fourth quarter and threatening to tie the game, Edinburg blew up an option play in the backfield, the toss to the running back missed its target, and Uziel Flores picked it up and raced the other way for a touchdown.
The defensive score extended Edinburg’s lead to 24-10 and provided the Bobcats’ only points of the second half.
“Our defense did a great job responding,” Pena said. “Offensively, we came out flat. They had the ball most of the second half, and offensively we didn’t produce on our end. They did a great job playing as a unit, playing as a team and making them earn everything.”
La Joya did not go away quietly.
Quarterback Owen Benoit drove the Coyotes back down the field and found senior playmaker Dante Perez for a 17-yard touchdown with 2:45 remaining.
Perez made a defender miss after the catch before reaching the end zone, and the extra point pulled La Joya within 24-17.
The Coyotes attempted an onside kick, but Edinburg recovered.
From there, the Bobcats were able to move the chains and drain the remaining time to secure their second consecutive district victory.
The result moved Edinburg to 2-1 in district play after opening the District 31-6A schedule with a loss to Economedes before beating Edinburg North and La Joya in consecutive weeks. La Joya dropped to 1-2 after previously defeating Edinburg North and falling to Vela.
Sanchez said maintaining the right attitude became especially important as the game tightened.
“You always have to keep a positive mindset,” Sanchez said. “The Man above will lead us, and He controls our destiny.”
Edinburg’s path does not get easier.
The Bobcats host district-leading Vela at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, before closing the regular season on the road against Weslaco.
Pena said the message will remain centered on improvement rather than looking too far ahead.
“Keep improving every day and trying to make sure that we are perfecting our craft in everything we do. We have Vela, a tough opponent. There’s a lot at stake there, so we have to make sure that we’re not losing our head and just controlling ourselves.”
