Guerra Runs Wild: Raiders Dominate Bears in Tri-City Classic

PHARR — Senior running back Ethan Guerra cemented his reputation as one of the Rio Grande Valley’s premier athletes Friday night, with five touchdowns and 167 yards rushing, he powered PSJA North to a commanding 49–3 victory over PSJA High in the annual Tri-City Classic at PSJA Stadium.

The dominate performance began from the opening drive. After PSJA High elected to receive, North’s Blackshirt unit forced a three-and-out, and Guerra immediately cashed in. Guerra scored off a 14 yard handoff which was quickly followed by another 4 yard rushing touchdown in the opening quarter.

Ehan broke tackles and energized the packed home crowd.

“My players did a great job of blocking out all the noise,” head coach Marcus Kaufmann said. “This is a rivalry game, so there’s always going to be outside pressure coming in, but I feel my guys handled it well tonight.”

Guerra added two more rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, giving him four scores before halftime. By then, he had already piled up more than 110 yards on 13 carries.

Quarterback Drayden Espinoza provided balance late in the half, escaping pressure and connecting with tight end Jaxon Evans for the junior’s first career touchdown reception. Meanwhile, PSJA North’s defense suffocated the Bears, limiting them to just 20 total yards and two first downs in the opening half.

“We’ve got a lot of guys out this year due to injuries, so we’re getting a lot of rotation from our reserve players, which is great,” Kaufmann said. “This helps our whole team stay ready for any setback that may happen in the future.”

Early in the third quarter, Guerra delivered his exclamation point: a breathtaking 53-yard touchdown burst, his fifth of the game, sending the Raider faithful into another roar.

The Blackshirt defense complemented Guerra’s showcase with relentless pressure, highlighted by defensive lineman Ray Martinez’s early sack and an interception by Eli Rodelo in the second quarter.

For Guerra, it marked a staggering start to his senior season: eight touchdowns in two games, all while embodying the Raiders’ physical, punishing brand of football.

North (2-0) plays Donna North next week. PSJA High falls to 0-2.