EAGLES FOOTBALL GRIDIRON NEWS
Eagles eliminated by
Edinburg Vela Sabercats 28 to 10
Richie Luna hits 2000 yd. passing mark
By: Conrado Perez, Jr. – Eagle Pass Sports Central
“Your best and only source for local sports news in Eagle Pass”
The District 29-5A co-champion and bi-district champion Eagle Pass Eagles mentored by head coach Tom Gonzalez ventured to Laredo, Texas on Friday, November 24, 2017 to square off against the Edinburg Vela Sabercats in a 2:00 pm gridiron matchup for the UIL Region IV Area Round championship at the Laredo United ISD Student Activity Center. The Edinburg Robert Vela High School Sabercats entered this matchup with an unblemished season record of 11-0 while Eagle Pass Eagles ventured into this contest sporting an overall season record of 9-2.
The Eagles who were the designated visiting team for this contest received the game’s opening kickoff and immediately showcased the running of standout tailback Dee Andre Torres as he busted a 34 yard run from scrimmage on the first play of the game. The Eagles went on to mount a 9 play 75 yard scoring drive that saw the Eagles drive all the way down to the 10 yard line before having to settle for a 27 yard field goal by Eagles placekicker Jose Riojas with 8:28 showing on the first quarter clock to give the Eagles the early 3 to 0 lead over the Sabercats.
After an exchange of punts the Edinburg Vela Sabercats countered with a short 34 yard scoring drive that was capped off with a 4 yard run to pay dirt by running back Aaron Alvarez with 3:48 left in the first period. Austin Garza tacked on the point after to give Edinburg Vela a 7 to 3 lead over the Eagles.
The proud Eagles answered early in the second quarter with a 56 yard scoring drive that culminated with an 11 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Richie Luna to his tall receiver Albert Guevara with 8:16 left in the second quarter. Jose Riojas split the uprights with the point after to give the Eagles a 10 to7 lead over the Sabercats much to the delight of the good sized Legion of Eagles faithful in attendance.
The Sabercats with their relentless aerial attack answered back with a 78 yard scoring drive that was punctuated with a 9 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nathan Garcia to his favorite target wide receiver Justin Cantu with 3:21 remaining in the first half. Austin Garza’s point after attempt gave the Sabercats a slim 14 to 10 lead at the halftime break.
The second half however was not kind to the Eagles as the Edinburg Vela Sabercats capitalized on three Eagles turnovers on a pair of costly fumbles coming after two good pass reception yardage and one interception to go on to pad their lead with a pair of short touchdown runs of 2 and 3 yards respectively by Sabercats quarterback Nathan Garcia. Austin Garza converted the point after attempt after both scores to eventually give the Sabercats the heart breaking 28 to 10 victory over a valiant Eagles squad that truly played their hearts out but unfortunately culminate a very successful season with an overall season record of 9-3.
Eagles’ standout junior quarterback Richie Luna finishes the season becoming only the second ever quarterback to pass for over 2000 yards in a single season in the history of Eagle Pass Eagles high school football program. Eagles’ stellar running back Dee Andre Torres closes out his high school football career by etching his name on the elite and exclusive 1000 Yard Rushing Club. The Eagles famed “Land Sharks” defensive unit the likes of Moi Rocha, Sebastian Hernandez, Mario Torres, Manny Rodriguez, David Kypuros, Roger Ulloa, Haran Rodriguez, Armando Monsivais Ryan Chisum, Raul Lechler, Josh Monsivais, Ryan Chisum, Nico Moyeda, Kristian Barcena and company have to be highly commented for their outstanding style of play all season long.
Eagle Pass Sports Central congratulates the 2017 Eagle Pass Eagles on their outstanding accomplishment of garnering the District 29-6A co-championship, the UIL Region IV bi-district crown and advancing to the UIL Region IV area round and would like to thank the graduating Senior class members for the countless numbers of thrills and memories that each of you provided during your respective Eagle Pass High School Eagles football careers.
OFFICIAL GAME TEAM STATS:
EAGLES OPPONENT
First Downs 12 19
Att./ Yds. Rushing 26/82 32/115
Yards Passing 155 234
Total Yards 237 349
Pass att./comp./int’s 19/29/1 23/34/0
Return Yards 0 0
Punts /Avg. 6/34.6 6/35.0
Fumbles/Lost 2/2 1/0
Penalties/Yards 6/50 10/75
OFFICIAL INDIVIDUAL OFFENSIVE STATS:
PASSING:
#10 Riche Luna 19 comp. 29 att. 1 int. 155 yds 1TD
RUSHING:
#8 Dee Andre Torres 15 carries 72 yds.
#9 Jose Riojas 1 carry 7 yds.
#10 Riche Luna 10 carries 3 yds.
RECEIVING:
#2 Albert Guevara 2 rec. 17 yds. 1TD
#8 Dee Andre Torres 4 rec. 13 yds. .
#9 Jose Riojas 7 rec. 57 yds.
#11 Norby Zavala 3 rec. 43 yds.
#80 Rey Mendoza 3 rec. 25 yds.
1000 Yard Rushing Club
EAGLE PASS EAGLES
Year Player Carries Yards
1959 #44 Manuel “Wire” Rodriguez 145 1058
1974 #22 Orlando Vera 120 1021
1994 #36 David Zapata 185 1327
1995 #36 David Zapata 254 1688
1996 #36 David Zapata 200 1457
1997 #22 Roger Surita 148 1089
1998 #22 Roger Surita 241 1996
1999 #22 Roger Surita 237 1784
2002 #12 Peter Juve 174 1657
2003 #34 David De Hoyos 222 1133
2005 #34 Edgar Alan Beattie 135 1096
2006 #34 Edgar Alan Beattie 197 1088
2007 #34 Edgar Alan Beattie 156 1150
2009 #21 Randy Garza 206 1472
2011 #21 Daniel Felix 261 1633
2014 #1 Ty Chisun 176 1228
2015 #7 Mark Venegas 202 1008
2017 #8 Dee Andre Torres 256 1317