Rattlers hold off Gladiators for first district win
MISSION — For a second straight game, the Sharyland High Rattlers found themselves with a big lead at the break.
For a second straight game, the Rattlers saw that lead disappear in the second half, with their opponent battling back to make it a tight contest late.
For a second straight game, Sharyland High found a way to close out with a win, holding off the Gladiators’ second-half comeback attempt for a 41-34 District 16-5A DII win Friday at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission.
“We just got to get better in the second half,” Sharyland High head coach Craig Krell said. “We got to get better when we get a lead. Coach Adame came up to me and said we could be 0-5 or we could be 5-0. It’s been back-and-forth. We got to learn to get a lead and then we got to capitalize it and do it for four quarters.”
Sharyland High built a 28-point lead over Roma at the break thanks to a four-touchdown first-half performance by senior wideout Francisco Gomez.
The third-year letter winner got things going early, breaking a 71-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the contest.
Gomez wasn’t done just yet, adding a 70-yard touchdown run on the Rattlers’ second drive, while also throwing a 23-yard touchdown pass to Oscar Cantu and adding a 44-yard touchdown catch on a throw from sophomore quarterback William Taylor, all during the first half to give Sharyland High a 41-13 lead at the break.
“It was not a good season last year,” Gomez said. “I got that injury, but we came out and got better and practiced better. I’m just trying to help the team out. I just try to be better every game.”
Roma wouldn’t go down without a fight, however, scoring three straight touchdowns during the final two periods to make it a one-score game with 6:53 remaining.
Leading the second-half comeback attempt was junior fullback Rafael Ruiz, who accounted for more than 200 yards and three scores during the second half.
A 72-yard touchdown run by Ruiz less than four minutes into the second half sparked the comeback, with the Valley’s leading rusher adding touchdown runs of 4 and 13 yards during the fourth quarter.
That’s as close as the Gladiators would get, however, with the defense forcing a fumble by quarterback Diego Alaniz on Roma’s last possession to secure the win at home.
“You know, they’re a tough team,” Krell said. “They’re a well-coached team. For us to take a 28-point lead, I knew it wasn’t over. We talked about it at halftime and they battled back. We did enough at the end to hold on, but we got to do a better job coming out in the second half because right now that’s kind of our downfall.”
The Gladiators fall to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in district, with the loss marking their first of the year. They’ll head into a bye week before returning to the field at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, against Mission Veterans at Gladiator Arena in Roma.
Meanwhile, Sharyland High improves to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in district with the win, turning its attention to a pivotal District 16-5A DII matchup against the Patriots (5-1, 2-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission.
“We’re just going to keep practicing, keep executing and go get that golden ball,” Gomez said.
