Edcouch-Elsa hasn’t won a district title since the 2013 season, but Friday night’s 28-26 win over Brownsville Pace in District 16-5A DII action at Benny Layton Sr. Memorial Stadium in Elsa moved them one step closer to ending that drought.
The Yellow Jackets and Vikings were the last two unbeaten teams in 16-5A DII entering Week 9 but that changed after 48 minutes of action Friday night.
The Yellow Jackets (6-2, 3-0) built a 21-12 halftime lead on the Vikings (6-2, 2-1) by riding their rushing attack with Ayden Mercado and finding openings in the passing game, but Pace would not go down without a fight.
The Vikings scored to start the fourth quarter on a 2-yard run from their lead back Adrian Sauceda to pull within one possession at 21-19.
Edcouch-Elsa answered right back with a methodical drive downfield that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run from quarterback Elijah Treviño to push the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 28-19 with just over two minutes remaining.
Pace responded with a quick strike on a 21-yard swing pass to Sauceda from quarterback Juan Hernandez to make it a one score game again at 28-26 with under a minute to play.
The Vikings needed to recover the ensuing onside kick for one last opportunity but the Yellow Jackets were there for the recovery to secure an Edcouch-Elsa victory.
Edcouch-Elsa has already secured a playoff spot and is now one win away from clinching at least a share of the District 16-5A DII title and two wins away from winning it outright. The Yellow Jackets (6-2, 3-0) are scheduled to face PSJA Southwest (1-7, 0-3) in Week 10 and close the regular season against Brownsville Lopez (6-2, 2-1) in Week 11.
Brownsville Pace (6-2, 2-1) will look to bounce back in a rivalry game against Brownsville Lopez (6-2, 2-1) in Week 10 before taking on Mercedes (5-3, 2-1) in Week 11.
DISTRICT 31-6A
EDINBURG HIGH 24, EDINBURG ECONOMEDES 17: At Edinburg, senior quarterback JT Santa Maria scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime to push the Bobcats past the Jaguars in a District 31-6A clash.
Edinburg High jumped out to a 17-3 halftime lead over Economedes during the first-half behind touchdown runs by Santa Maria and Giovanni Villasana. The Jaguars roared back into the contest during the second half, with Carlos Garcia making it a one-score game during the fourth before Johan Nunez tying the game late with a seven-yard touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion.
The Bobcats answered in overtime, however, with Santa Maria scoring his second touchdown of the night and the defense buclking down to secure the district win.
The win moves the Bobcats into a tie for second with Weslaco High heading into Week 10. The two teams face off for control of second-place at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
DISTRICT 16-4A DII
LA FERIA 32, PORT ISABEL 27: At La Feria, the Lions came up with a huge goal-line stand as time expired to take down the No. 2 Tarpons in a District 16-4A DII matchup at Lions Stadium in La Feria.
Wide receiver Austin Vaughan caught four touchdown passes during the win, including a go-ahead 34-yard score with less than three minutes left in regulation.
The win gives La Feria control of the District 16-4A DII title race, sitting atop the standings as the last undefeated team in the district. A win over Kingsivlle King next Friday secures the outright district title for the Lions. Kickoff for the district-title deciding contest is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville.