Total Package: Falcons score in all three phases, blow out Rattlers

MISSION — Finding the end zone on defense or special teams is never an easy task. Doing both in the same night is even harder.

The Los Fresnos Falcons made it look routine Friday, scoring on offense, defense and special teams during a 63-20 blowout of the Sharyland High Rattlers at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission.

“That is the second time we’ve done that this season,” Los Fresnos head coach David Cantu said. “It’s an amazing thing to get off to a start like that. We have a new special teams coordinator, Los Fresnos grad Charlie Rivas. I’m just happy he put that together. That was huge. We were able to score on special teams, offense and defense. When that happens, you’re just happy for the kids.”

Special teams opened the scoring for the Falcons, with junior athlete Ismael Moreno returning the game’s opening kickoff more than 80 yards to the house.
A quick punt by the Rattlers set up another strike, as senior quarterback Robert Pineda hit sophomore wideout Enrique Guerra in stride for a 72-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.

“First and foremost, I have to give all my glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Pineda said. “He gives us the opportunity to play every single day. It’s a privilege. What’s been working for us is just executing on all levels — offense, defense and special teams. Then we keep coming back and wanting more every single day.”

Sharyland High answered, pulling within one score on a 48-yard connection from senior quarterback Calvin Harris to senior wideout Sebastian Martinez, but Los Fresnos erupted for 28 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 49-14 lead into halftime.

Pineda scored on runs of 22 and 14 yards during that stretch, while linebacker Juan Sanchez added a pick-6. Guerra also hauled in his second touchdown of the night, turning a screen pass into a 56-yard score. He finished with two catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s just an athlete,” Cantu said of Guerra. “He’s a hooper too, used to high-intensity competition. This stage is nothing for him. He’s very humble and quiet, but he’s fit in quite well. He’s the only sophomore getting playing time for us right now, and I think that’s pretty neat.”

With the game in hand, the Falcons turned to their backups in the second half. Junior Evan McChesney took over at quarterback for Pineda, who finished with 257 total yards and five touchdowns in just one half of play. 

McChesney guided the offense to a pair of scoring drives, capping one with a 12-yard touchdown run. Running back Diego Torres scored the other touchdown. 

“He’s a young player and he works hard too,” Pineda said of McChesney. “He comes to practice every day and is just ready for anything.”

Defensively, Los Fresnos stymied Sharyland High’s explosive offense, intercepting Harris three times. Junior Ryan Prepjechal picked off Harris on the Rattlers’ opening drive, while Sanchez and Moreno each added second-quarter interceptions.

Sharyland High found the end zone once more in the fourth, with backup quarterback Eduardo Aguirre and running back Abram Carrasco leading a late drive to close the gap to 63-20.

The Rattlers (4-2) enter District 15-5A DII play on a two-game skid and will look to bounce back next Friday against the Mission Veterans Patriots (5-1).
Los Fresnos (6-0) heads into its bye week unbeaten before opening district play Oct. 17 against the San Benito Greyhounds (0-6).