(La Joya, Texas)-From the start, things just did not favor the La Joya Coyotes as they lost to Rio Grande City 35-0 on Thursday night at PACK Stadium. “I’m still trying to figure this one out. We need to stop turning over the ball,” said Coyotes head coach, Reuben Farias. “It’s going to get better.”
The Rattlers (1-2) struck first on their first drive to put up seven quick points in the first quarter. The Coyotes (0-3) had their opportunities early on. On their first possession, the Coyotes were forced to punt but a fumble inside the 25-yard line gave the ball right back to La Joya. Head coach Farias was not pleased with that drive as the Rattlers stopped the Coyotes from scoring. With the Rattlers taking over, RB Ryan Mendez took the handoff and ran away for a 41-yard touchdown to make it 13-0 with 11:49 left in the half. “I’m proud of the way our team executed tonight,” says Rattlers head coach Jesus Lozano. “This was our first win of the season and it feels great.”
On the next Coyote drive, the Rattlers intercepted the ball and returned it to the Coyotes 4-yard line. RB Diego Rodriguez added another score to make it 21-0 with Mendez covering the two-point conversion with 10:53 left in the half. Still, the Rattlers were not done. Lozano made the call with 1:56 left in the first half, on a diving catch by WR David Chapa to put the Rattlers up 28-0 at the half. Mendez would score once again to in the third quarter, to end the Coyotes hopes of getting their first win of the season.
The Rattlers will kickoff District 15-5A Division I against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (0-2) next Thursday night at home while the Coyotes will meet Los Fresnos (1-1) on Friday night in non-district action. (HSSMImages)
