(Roma, Tx)-The Roma High School Gladiators made it to the 5A DII University Interscholastic League playoffs for the first time since 2015 under coach head coach Francisco Villanueva. In the Class 5A DII Bi-District Championships, the Gladiators lost to Flour Bluff 56-21 to end their playoff run.
Twenty-five players return with five on offense and seven on defense.
Leading the way are 5A All-State RB Issac Lozano (5’7 140lbs, 2,012 yards rushing 29 TDs), RB Ediel Garcia (5’11 205lbs), OL Rene Hernandez (6’1 330lbs), DB Luis Pena (5’9 155lbs), LB Rafael Bustamante (6’0 195lbs), LB Luis Diaz, WR Jose Macias, OL Rene Aguirre, LB Jesse Ramon, LB Alan Garcia, and DB Erick Saldana (5’8 145lbs).
The Gladiators will meet Rio Grande City on August 25th at 7:30 p.m. looking to avenge last year’s 43-27 loss followed by another rivalry game against the La Joya Palmview Lobos on September 1st at home. The Gladiators lost to both teams by less than seven points. Another overtime loss to Pioneer 43-35 cost them a close win. HSSM picks the Gladiators to make the UIL State 5A DII playoffs in 2023.
(HSSMIMages/Ruiz)