(Edinburg, Texas)-The Edinburg Vela Sabercats (10-0, 8-0) finished the season in perfect form as they defeated Mission (6-3, 5-2) 35-7 on Thursday night at Richard R. Flores Stadium to win the outright 31-6A District title. Vela running back PJ Rivera (Blue Grey All-American Selection) gave the Sabercats a 28-0 lead in the third quarter on a 52-yard touchdown run and he would score again on a pass from QB Chase Campbell from 15-yards out to make it 35-0 with :16 seconds left to play in the third quarter. The Sabercats will now wait to play the No.2 seed from District 32-6A in the Class 6A Division II Bi-District Championships.
Head coach John Campbell has led his teams to four district titles in the past five seasons in his fifth season; overall, the Sabercats notched its sixth district title in school history. The Eagles are headed to the 6A Division I playoffs but will face the PSJA North Raiders next week in their season finale.
To date, the Sabercats have outscored their 2021 opponents 417-62, including non-district wins over Harlingen (30-3) and McAllen Memorial (42-6). The Sabercats will face Weslaco or San Benito in the first round of the University Interscholastic League 6A state playoffs. “It’s a cool thing but every year is a new year. I am happy for our team, most importantly our seniors,” says Campbell. “This has been a work in progress and it’s been challenging. Our defense is a continuation from last year and the offseason paid off. This is a special group of players.”
