On Top: PSJA North continues dominance in district opener
PHARR — PSJA North spent the last four years dominating the competition at the Class 5A level. The Raiders amassed a 29-1 district record during their four seasons in 15-5A DI.
Realignment moved PSJA North back to Class 6A for the first time since the 2021 season, leaving many wondering how the Raiders would fare against the competition.
PSJA North delivered a statement win to those in question Friday, dominating the reigning district champion Los Fresnos Falcons 41-3 during their 32-6A opener at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
“It felt great, especially it being our home opener for district,” PSJA North defensive tackle Rey Martinez said. “It felt great being back home. What we saw on the field, it gave us an edge going more into district. Feels great that we won, and we’re ready to go for next week.”
The Raiders dominated in their first Class 6A district game in five years from start to finish, outgaining the Falcons 441-148 during the contest.
Offensively, PSJA North leaned heavily into on its run game, rushing for 276 yards and five touchdowns. Spearheading the ground game was the Raiders’ three-headed backfield of Drayden Espinoza, Antwon Estrada and Mark Quintanilla.
Espinoza led the unit with 146 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries, while also throwing for 132 yards and a score. Estrada added three total touchdowns and 118 total yards, while Quintanilla chipped in 60 yards and two scores on seven carries.
““We’re feeling amazing for this season,” Estrada said. “We got a really good offense and a great defense. If we play like this every game, we feel like we’ll dominate. The message really was to bounce back after Vela. We did after beating Weslaco. We just got to keep grinding ahead and don’t take a team lightly.”
While the offense imposed their will, the defense terrorized Los Fresnos’ all night long, holding the Falcons to 3-of-11 on third down, while allowing just three points.
PSJA North’s defensive line led the charge for the Raiders, with junior Jacoby Herrera and senior Rey Martinez dominating in the trenches and holding the Falcons to just 68 yards on the ground and 80 through the air.
Martinez also came away with the unit’s lone takeaway, intercepting a pass off a batted ball by Herrera.
“He was excited, wasn’t he,” PSJA North head coach Marcus Kaufmann said. “Just the excitement he had. Jacoby tips it up to his defensive linemate. It was just fun to watch.”
The Falcons loss marks their third straight after starting the season 3-0, falling to 3-3 overall and 1-1 in District 32-6A. They’ll return home for their next district contest, taking on San Benito at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium in Los Fresnos.
Meanwhile, the Raiders move to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in district with the win, including three straight wins since their Week 3 loss to Edinburg Vela. They’ll look to keep rolling in what could be the district-title deciding contest against Harlingen High at 7:30 p.m. Friday at PSJ Stadium in Pharr.
“Message is we got to match their intensity,” Kaufmann said. “Coach (Manny) Gomez does a heck of a job getting those kids ready to play. If we can’t match that intensity, they’re going to beat us.”
