(Mission, Texas)-In the Blue Diamond Realty Group Game of the Week, “All Glory to GOD,” said La Joya High School head football coach, Reuben Farias as he lifted his arms in praise to celebrate their 21-17 win over Mission High School Eagles at Tom Landry Hall of Fame Stadium on Friday night. “We are headed to the UIL State Playoffs,” he shouted at his team.
The night was filled and plagued by special team moments. Twice, the Mission Eagles watched their punter struggle as La Joya would get great field position each time. Still, the Coyotes would fumble the ball twice ending those given opportunities.
In the fourth quarter, the Coyotes forced Mission to punt from their end zone with 10:52 left to play, and Coyote WR Rene Guerra returned the ball all the way back to the Mission 35-yard line. On a pitchout to RB Erasmo Rodriguez, he would score the game-winning touchdown run to put the Coyotes back in the University Interscholastic League Class 6A Division I playoffs for the first time since 2018. The District 31-6A Coyotes (2-8) will travel to play 32-6A runner-up, San Benito (9-1) in the UIL Class 6A Division I Bi-District playoffs on Friday at Bobby Morrow Stadium with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. The winner will meet 29-6A San Antonio Taft (7-3) or 30-6A Laredo United (6-5) in the area playoffs.
