By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
There was no fourth quarter letdown this week for the Rams.
Del Rio led from start to finish Thursday night, handing the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs a 34-13 loss and moving into a tie for third place in District 30-6A with Rivalry Week and a showdown with longtime rival, and district leaders, Eagle Pass looming.
While Del Rio is 2-2 in district, the same as Laredo Alexander and Laredo United South, South holds the head-to-head tiebreakers over both Del Rio and Alexander. Thursday night’s win gives the Rams the tiebreaker over Alexander.
Del Rio wasted little time taking the lead against the Bulldogs, going 54 yards in just over a minute to grab an early 7-0 lead. Quarterback Zack Taylor capped the drive with a 30-yard pass that was deflected by a Bulldogs defender and into the arms of Del Rio wide receiver Alan Dobbins for the score.
The Rams’ defense forced a punt on Alexander’s first aided by a tackle for a loss by Del Rio’s Jose Rodriquez.
Like its first drive, Del Rio’s second drive ended in the end zone as well. It looked as though Taylor and Dobbins connected for their second touchdown, but the play was called back due to a penalty against the Rams. On the next play, Taylor called his own number and found some running room around the left end. Nineteen yards later Taylor was in the end zone, and Rodrigo Tamez’s kick made it a 14-0 lead for the Rams.
Alexander nearly cut into Del Rio’s lead, but a 29-yard field goal attempt banged against the crossbar and Del Rio maintained its 14-point lead late in the first quarter.
After the Bulldogs got the ball back, thanks to big plays from Lino Villarreal, Jesus Guerra and Jorge Serna, Alexander was finally able to get on the scoreboard when Gael Rodriguez scored on a one-yard run to cut Del Rio’s advantage to 14-6.
Alexander was able to force a Del Rio punt, but Del Rio’s Corbin Farrar managed to pin the Bulldogs at their own four-yard line with his punt. On first down, quarterback Javier Jimenez found Ivan Piña for a 28-yard gain and the Bulldogs were on the move.
The Bulldogs were able to get to Del Rio’s 18-yard line, but on fourth down Sammy Flores shot into the play and took Jimenez down for a one yard gain on 4th-and-3 to force a turnover on downs.
Del Rio’s last drive of the first half featured a 60-yard catch and run by Zane Hughes that set the Rams up at the Alexander 23-yard line. Two plays later, it looked like Taylor found Ethan Matherne for a 30-yard score, but the play was called back due to holding against Del Rio. The Rams had to settle for an eight-point lead at halftime.
Del Rio opened the second half by forcing a Bulldogs punt. The Rams then went on a four-minute, eight-play scoring drive. Taylor’s 36-yard run put Del Rio inside Alexander’s 30-yard line. Two plays later, Hughes scored on a 20-yard run, and Tamez’s kick pushed the Rams’ lead to 21-6.
Del Rio’s defense struck again when defensive back Bradan Ludemann jumped a route and intercepted Jimenez, giving the Rams the ball back at the Alexander 19-yard line.
The Rams would get as close as the 10-yard line before Tamez came out to try a 26-yard field goal. The kick was good, and the lead grew to 24-6 early in the fourth quarter.
Ludemann made his presence known again on Alexander’s next drive when he blitzed unblocked from Jimenez’s right side. His hit jarred the ball loose and teammate George Avalos Jr. recovered the fumble at the Alexander 11-yard line.
A sack by Alexander’s Ehud Mendez helped to stop Del Rio’s drive, so Tamez was sent out to try a 29-yard field goal. His kick was again good, and the lead grew to 27-6.
The Bulldogs cut the lead to 27-13 on a 24-yard strike from Jimenez to Josh Rodriguez with 2:07 left to play, but the Rams put the game away on their final drive when Taylor connected with Hughes for a 12-yard touchdown with eight seconds left to play.
That score made the final, 34-13, and gave Del Rio its second win of the season.
The Rams will face Eagle Pass in the regular season finale Friday, Nov. 4. A win by the Rams assures them a trip to the postseason for the third straight season.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
