(Mission, Texas)-In the Blue Diamond Realty Group Game of the Week, Victoria West H.S. junior quarterback transfer Braden Luedeker stepped in for starting quarterback Vince Abrego and scored two quick rushing touchdowns but, the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondback (4-2, 1-0) defense, led by 6’3 DE Cole Woydziak, just kept pressuring both Mission Veterans Memorial HS quarterbacks Luedeker and Abrego as the D’Backs won 38-14 in District 16-5A DII opener at Richard Thompson stadium on Friday night. “I didn’t expect to lose this first game tonight,” said Patriots head football coach, Dave Gilpin. “The Diamondbacks played a good game tonight. I congratulate their coaching staff.”
With former Patriot quarterback, Landry Gilpin on the sidelines watching his former team, Pioneer HS Diamondback junior quarterback Julian Valdez led his team down the field, scoring three times, and rushing for another 128 yards. He also completed 17-of-29 passes for 200 yards and one score.
Down 17-0 in the second quarter, Luedeker was called on and quickly put the Pats up after a 58-yard drive to score from five yards out to close the D’Backs lead to 17-7 at the half. Valdez did not get rattled.
In the third quarter, Valdez, on a scramble, found WR Antonio Carrizales open for a 39-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-7 and he would seal the game with a 58-yard touchdown strike to WR Leo Espinoza Jr, in the fourth quarter. “This was a big win for our team tonight,” said Valdez.
The Diamondbacks will play Roma (3-3, 0-1) at home next Friday night while the Patriots will meet PSJA Southwest (1-5, 1-0).
