(Mission, Texas)-For the third season in a row, the Mission Eagles and Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots had to settle for another home site as they open their season with the “Battle of Conway” on Thursday night at Richard Thompson Stadium at Sharyland ISD. The Patriots, ranked No. 11 by High School Sports Magazine’s Pre-Season Top 25 Polls, defeated No.14th ranked Mission 32-20. “It doesn’t matter where we play,” Patriots head football coach, Dave Gilpin told HSSM. “We will still play hard-nose football on defense.”
The Patriots rushed for 257 yards behind RBs Pablo Lopez and Jose Garcia, which is uncommon for the Pats to do since they are known as a passing team. Lopez led the Pats with 144 yards on 15 carries and scored one touchdown. Garcia also broke the 100-yard barrier with 13 carries and 113 yards. He rushed for a touchdown too. Mission Veterans Memorial first-year starter at quarterback, junior 5’10 Vince Abrego, passed for 96 yards, completing 10-of-22 passes and two scores.
The Patriots (1-0) will travel to play at McAllen Memorial on Friday with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. Mission (0-1) will meet McAllen at a site to be determined.
