(Edinburg, Texas)-The Edinburg Vela (8-1, 5-1) Sabercats defeated La Joya Palmview (6-3, 3-3) 55-14 and clinches a spot in the University Interscholastic League 5A Division I playoffs. The Sabercats will play 16-5A Division I Harlingen South, Weslaco East, or Brownsville Veterans in the first round. As for the Lobos? A win by LJ Palmview against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln next week will send the Lobos to the playoffs. ”The Edinburg Vela Sabercats are a very talented team,” said LJ Palmview head coach, Margarito Requenez. ”We just need to win next week to make the playoffs.” The Sabercats piled up 640 yards against the Lobos, including three interceptions returned for 119 yards.
Sabercat QB senior Bobby Garcia had another great night as he found WR Carlos Tamez open for a 33-yard catch to get things started in the first quarter. Garcia connected with WR Justin Navarro for a 26-yard strike over his shoulders to take an early 17-0 lead in the first quarter. A few drives later, Garcia spotted Navarro again, this time from 54-yards to make it 24-0. The catch had Navarro doing his ”Texas-Two-Step” in the endzone. The Sabercats were not done. Kicker Eduardo Valdez nailed a 47-yard field goal to make it 27-7.
Garcia finished the night almost perfect by completing 15-of-16 passes for 258 yards and two scores. WR Navarro had six catches for 137 yards and two TDs. Sabercat RB Jamal Polley rushed for 135 yards on 13 carries and three scores. Defensively, Sabercats DB Julian Guevara picked off Palmview twice and held the Lobos to 189 yards on offense.
The Sabercats will play McAllen Nikki Rowe next Thursday night at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium for a second place seeding in the playoffs. (HSSMImages/Ruiz)
