Predicting a winner for the Edcouch-Elsa and McAllen football game was shaking a Polaroid picture, you’re just going to have to wait until the end for things to clear up. As the Yellowjackets defenders peeled off the pile, and the play came into focus, quarterback Joaquin Valdez was found at the bottom, short of the goal line. The Yellowjackets secured a 17-14 win over the Bulldogs with a huge defensive stand late in the fourth quarter.
“It’s an emotional victory… It’s a big statement win for us. We went into the half down, and we came back proud, we showed a lot of resilience,” Yellowjackets’ head coach Victor Cardenas said.
Resilience aptly describes the Yellowjackets’ victory tonight. Most teams are able to manage the ebb and flow of the game, but the ‘Jackets seemed almost snake-bit as they could not cash in on opportunities early. For example, the opening kickoff was bobbled by a McAllen returner, but the ‘Jackets were held at the 7-yard line on fourth down.
The ‘Jackets were not only resilient, but patient. After a Brandon Morales’ 29-yard run that got them inside the Bulldog 35, they fumbled. They finally settled for a 23-yard field goal from Jesus Ramirez. Ramirez would account for 9 of the ‘Jackets points connecting from 25 and 39-yards.
“Our kicker has been going through some adversity. We put him into some tough situations in Donna where he went 1-4, and today, he came through,” Cardenas said.
The ‘Jackets scored their only touchdown with 5:24 in the fourth quarter. Elijah Trevino tumbled into the pylon on an 11-yard scamper that ultimately gave the ‘Jackets the lead, 17-14.
“It was a twisted game; we struggled to put up points in the first half. Coach gave us a great speech, and we came out and executed,” Trevino said.
The Bulldogs struggled to get on track in the beginning after the fumbled kick return. They turned the ball over twice before finally taking the lead 7-3. On their fourth possession, the Bulldogs found a spark in the passing game as Valdez connected with Tristan Keith. Keith turned short screen passes into gains of 13, 14, 5. Keith’s success drew the defense’s attention and set up the grift. As it seemed Keith would be catching his 4th pass of the drive, Talan Garcia darted past the secondary for a 27-yard touchdown pass.
Garcia’s touchdown provided some security as the Bulldogs held the lead at half 14-6. Both defenses got stingy in the second half, and offenses suffered through punts and turnovers. Drives were plagued with penalties and miscues, and both teams seemed pretty even. Even when it seemed like the ‘Jacket offense broke through the lull, the Bulldogs held fast allowing only a field goal.
When it was 14-9, there was a sense in the stands that Bulldog fans hoped the clock would just run out. The Bulldogs recovered a fumble at their 22-yard line, and the offense was back on the field. And then it happened. Valdez rolled left but was tripped up for a big loss of 13. On the next play, the snap from center sailed over Valdez’ head. As Valdez gathered the ball in the end zone, he smartly chose to concede only a safety and ran out the back of the end zone, 14-11.
With 5:18 left in the game, the Bulldogs found hope. Valdez, Garcia, and Keith drove them to within inches of securing the win, but ultimately, the ‘Jacket defense held on fourth down.
“We knew it was a tough game, tough environment. The kids did everything we asked them to do all week as part of their preparation, and they did that…Every play has a life of its own, and unfortunately, it didn’t go in our direction,” McAllen head coach Patrick Shelby said.