SaberCats blank Warriors for second-straight shutout
EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela’s defense has been one of South Texas’ most dominant units throughout the 2025 season.
The SaberCats were at it again with a first-place battle against the McAllen Rowe Warriors in Week 8 as Vela pitched its second-straight shutout for a 16-0 victory Friday at Richard Flores Stadium.
The SaberCats improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in 16-5A DI play. The Warriors dropped to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in district competition.
“We came out here and we gave it all we had,” Vela senior defensive back Devin Caballero said. “We were playing aggressive. We had an amazing game plan for this one. Our coaches set us up perfectly and we were able to come out with a W.”
Vela defensive back Caidyn Hoover has made headlines all year long as one of the top ball hawks in the nation with nine interceptions entering Week 8.
He upped his total to double-digits with his 10th pick of the season against the Warriors on Friday with an acrobatic interception in the end zone during the third quarter to keep Rowe off the scoreboard.
Hoover also provided a spark on special teams during the second quarter with a punt return down to the Rowe 3-yard line.
“Our offense was struggling a little so I knew I had to make a play to get the momentum up,” Hoover said. “It sucks that I got tackled at the 3-yard line, but as long as I got the offense in a position to score, that means a lot.”
Vela linebackers Mario Cavazos and OJ Cano and company were flying to the football from the opening kick and kept the pressure on until the final whistle.
Cavazos came up with a key sack on a 3rd-and-goal during the second quarter to push the Warriors out of field goal range. Rowe kept its offense on the field for 4th-and-goal, but a pass attempt bounced off the upright to fall incomplete, leading to a turnover on downs.
“It’s just a mindset of bouncing back,” Cavazos said. “Earlier this season, we had a loss, but ever since then, we’ve been up since. It’s just been a mindset change. We’ve been working harder in the weight room more, our coaches have been on our butts more, and we’ve just been putting in the work.”
Vela’s offense took care of business early with two first-half touchdowns. Running back Christopher Caballero punched in a 1-yard touchdown on the SaberCats’ first possession of the game, and quarterback Tyler Ruiz added a 1-yard score after Hoover’s punt return set the SaberCats up inside the Warriors 5-yard line during the second quarter.
Kicker Robert Gonzalez added a field goal late in the fourth to push Vela's lead to 16-0.
The SaberCats will look to stay hot in Week 9 as they prepare for another first-place battle.
Edinburg Vela (6-1, 4-0) is slated to face the McAllen Memorial Mustangs (5-2, 4-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. While there’s still three district games remaining for both teams, the Week 9 showdown between the SaberCats and Mustangs has the potential to decide the 16-5A DI championship.
“We just have to continue playing how we’re playing. And McAllen Memorial, we’re going to bring it,” Cavazos said.
