(Mission, Texas)-In the Blue Diamond Realty Group Game of the Week, Sharyland Pioneer junior quarterback Julian Valdez connected with junior WR Leo Espinoza on a 65-yard touchdown strike in their opening drive and then led the Diamondbacks on a comeback, trailing 21-17 with less than 2:14 left to play, finding WR Antonio Carrizales open down the middle for a game-winning touchdown pass from 31-yards to give Pioneer High School head coach Eddie Galindo his sixth career victory in two seasons at Richard Thompson Stadium on Friday night. “He stayed calm and I’m just proud of this team. They (Rowe) are a very good team, and our quarterback (Julian Valdez) took some hits,” said Galindo.
In the first half, the McAllen Nikki Rowe (0-1) tied the game at 7-7 but Valdez would answer right back by getting his team into the redzone for a 24-yard field goal to make it 10-7 at the half. The Rowe Warriors opened the second half with touchdown to end the third quarter leading 14-10. In the fourth quarter, Valdez wasted no time as he scored on a touchdown run to put the Diamondbacks up 17-14. Valdez finished the night with 22 carries for 76 yards. Rowe would take the lead again late in the fourth quarter to make it 21-17.
Pioneer’s defense stopped the Warriors twice inside the redone with DB Dylan Salinas having a big night with 13 tackles, including four solos. With the help from the D’Backs defense, this gave Pioneer an opportunity to march down the field from their own 18-yard line. Valdez went to work, connecting WR Joseph Graham for a first down and Valdez continued their onslaught with another pass to WR Josh Cuellar. Valdez then found Carrizales open down the middle for the win. “We opened it up with our passing game and Julian did a great job leading this team to victory,” said Galindo.
For the soft-spoken junior quarterback, he was tired. “I took some hits tonight but now it’s time to enjoy the weekend and get ready for practice on Monday,” said Valdez. He finished the night with 245 yards passing, completing 18-of-29 passes. Sophomore Andrew Rivera had 4 catches for 48 yards, Espinoza finished the night one catch for 65-yards, senior Josh Cuellar had five receptions for 60 yards, Carrizales hauled in five catches for 57 yards (50-yards kick returns), and senior Joseph Graham finished the night with three receptions for 15 yards.
The Warriors managed to reach the Pioneer 30-yard line with about 1:10 left to play, trailing 21-24, but Pioneer DB Andrew Rivera ended their hopes of a comeback by intercepting a pass in the end zone. Pioneer QB Valdez ended the game by taking a much deserved, kneel.
