Pioneer rolls past Edcouch-Elsa 42–21 for third straight bi-district title

EDCOUCH - Sharyland Pioneer built a 35–0 lead and held off an Edcouch-Elsa rally to win 42–21 in a Class 5A Division II bi-district playoff game Friday at Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium.

The win moves Pioneer to 7–4 and gives the Diamondbacks their third straight bi-district championship. Edcouch-Elsa finishes 6–5.

“Three bi-district wins, it’s a special group,” Pioneer head coach Eddie Galindo said. “It’s not an easy feat, but this group is resilient. They worked hard.”

Pioneer scored on its opening drive, converting a 4th-and-goal from the 17 when senior quarterback William Goodloe rolled right and found a receiver in the back of the end zone for a 7–0 lead.

Edcouch-Elsa answered with a drive into Pioneer territory behind junior quarterback Jason Peña and the running game, but a grounding penalty and a long missed field goal ended the possession. It was the first of several Yellowjacket trips across midfield that did not result in points.

Pioneer’s offensive line controlled much of the first half. Goodloe added a rushing touchdown on a keeper up the middle to make it 14–0, and the Diamondbacks’ defense forced a fumble near the goal line to stop a Yellowjacket threat.

“We had some turnovers early, but our guys made big plays when we needed them,” Galindo said. “William and Marcus did a phenomenal job and our defense as well. At this time of the season, it’s who has less mistakes and who’s able to capitalize.”

Late in the second quarter, Goodloe broke a long touchdown run down the sideline, extending the lead to 21–0 at halftime. He accounted for three first-half touchdowns, two rushing and one passing.

In the third quarter, Pioneer continued to lean on its ground game with senior running back Marcus Perales, who recently returned from an injury that was initially believed to be season-ending.

“There’s a good God,” Galindo said. “He got hurt so early and we were just hoping we could get him back… He changes the dynamic because it gives us another weapon in the backfield, another bullet in the chamber.”

Perales finished off a drive with a short touchdown run to push the lead to 28–0. A miscue on an Edcouch-Elsa punt then set up another short-field score for Pioneer and a 35–0 advantage.

Perales said the return meant a lot after missing most of the year.

“Feels awesome. All glory to God for helping me come back early on my recovery,” he said. “It was sad, I felt so depressed sometimes. I’m glad I’m back and helping them out a little bit more. Couldn’t ask for a better team. We came out united as one.”

Edcouch-Elsa responded with its best stretch of the night. Running back Aydan Garcia and the offensive line produced multiple chunk runs, and Peña hit a rollout touchdown pass to get the Yellowjackets on the board at 35–7. Another sustained drive and red-zone score cut the deficit to 35–14.

After an onside kick recovery, Garcia capitalized again with a long touchdown run to bring Edcouch-Elsa within 35–21 in the fourth quarter.

Pioneer recovered the ensuing onside kick and quickly regained control. On the first play of the drive, Marcus Perales broke a run of more than 60 yards between the tackles for a touchdown that made it 42–21 and effectively ended the comeback attempt. “As soon as we lined up, I saw the cutback coming,” Perales said. “I just knew that’s where I was going to go.”

He continued to say the late answer reflected the team’s approach.

“Just staying selfless,” he said. “Earlier in the year we were a little bit to ourselves, but I think we’re finally coming together as a team and showing we can really work together as one.”

A late interception by the Pioneer defense ended Edcouch-Elsa’s final threat and allowed the Diamondbacks to run out the clock.

Pioneer advances to the area round, where it will face either Boerne Champion or Kerrville Tivy.