By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
With the start of district play, Del Rio was looking to kick off the games that matter with a statement win.
The Rams did just that, stopping a much improved Laredo LBJ team 27-21 to win their district opener and move to 2-3 on the season.
After Del Rio’s defense forced a three-and-out from the Wolves, the Rams offense went right to work. Returning quarterback Jayden Mendoza looked as if he hadn’t missed a step with a big run on the Rams’ opening drive. Zane Hughes and Fermin Rodriguez were able to get the Rams down to the four-yard line before Rodriguez finished off the drive with the touchdown to help Del Rio grab a 7-0 lead.
The Rams defense was solid early on. Ethan Dobbins made a solid stop and Jacob Ortiz broke up a pass to force another LBJ punt. LBJ’s offense was held in check into the second quarter as a fired up Del Rio defense swarmed to ball carriers and kept the pressure on LBJ’s quarterback to keep the Wolves off balance.
Mendoza struck again early in the second quarter when he scrambled for a 21-yard gain to the LBJ 7. After Rodriguez carried the ball to the LBJ 4 for a first-and-goal, the agile big man bulled his way into the end zone from the one-yard line for Del Rio’s second touchdown of the night. Rodrigo Tamez connected on the kick again and the lead was 14-0.
But LBJ wasn’t ready to roll over and concede the game to Del Rio. Quarterback Vicente Robles hit Juan Garza for a big gain to the Rams’ 18. He then tossed a 14-yard scoring strike a few plays later to cut Del Rio’s lead to 14-7.
After recovering a Rams fumble, Robles tossed another touchdown pass, this one a 25-yarder to Ivan Gonzalez, to help tie the game 14-14.
Del Rio had a chance to break the tie right before halftime when Mendoza’s pass to Hassem Mussi put the Rams at the LBJ 8, but the Rams couldn’t get a play off before the first half came to an end.
The Rams got the ball to start the second half but wound up punting it to LBJ. On the Wolves’ first play from scrimmage, Robles escaped the pocket and raced 75 yards for the go-ahead score and a 21-14 lead.
Mendoza made his presence known again on Del Rio’s next drive. On first down he took the snap and rushed for a 36-yard gain to LBJ’s 34. Mendoza suffered an ankle injury in Del Rio’s opener against Kerrville Tivy and missed the second half of that game plus the next three contests. He showed no ill effects from the time off, leading the team with 21 carries for 160 yards.
Mendoza’s run helped Del Rio wind up at the LBJ 12, but on fourth down Hughes was dropped for a loss and the Rams had to give the ball back to the Wolves.
The Rams defense forced a punt and this time the Rams capitalized. After another pair of runs by Mendoza, and a pass to the LBJ 33, Brian Natividad got the call and rushed 34 yards to the end zone. Tamez’s kick tied the game at 21-21 early in the fourth quarter.
The new opportunity breathed new life into the Rams defense. Logan Henderson tackled Rovles for a loss and then the defense forced an incompletion on third down. On the ensuing punt, Hughes utilized his blockers and found plenty of space to sprint to the Wolves’ nine-yard line.
On first-and-goal, Mendoza called his own number and rushed for a nine-yard touchdown. Tamez’s extra point banged off the upright, leaving the Rams on top 27-21.
The teams exchanged punts on their next possessions. Richard Camposano then helped bring an end to LBJ’s night when he picked off Robles at the Del Rio 31-yard line. The Rams would run out the clock from there, including five carries and a pair of kneel downs by Mendoza, to secure the win.
In other District 30-6A games this weekend, Laredo United South defeated Laredo Alexander 16-7, Medina Valley beat Eagle Pass 28-21, and Laredo United had a bye.
Del Rio travels to Laredo Thursday for a 7 p.m. game against Alexander at the Student Activity Complex.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
