(Pharr, Texas)-The Donna Redskins (6-5) took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 86-yards for a touchdown by Xavier Rodriguez to take an early 7-0 lead over State 5A ranked No.7 PSJA North (11-0) on Thursday at PSJA Stadium. It would be the last score the Redskins would score in 2023 as the Raiders went into on to win 45-7 to claim its fourth straight area championship title. “Our boys came to play. Tonight, we had three teams playing, including the referees,” said head coach Marcus Kaufmann. “Lots of penalties tonight.”
The Raiders will play the winner of 13-5A Medina Valley (5-5) or 14-4A runner-up Victoria East (7-3) in the area playoffs next week.
The Raiders took advantage of turnovers by the Redskins and senior quarterback-UTRGV recruit, Ale Aparicio would take control. The senior busted loose on a 81-yard run to make it 21-7 over the Redskins and with seconds left to play, Raiders DB Leeroy Palacios picked off junior Redskin QB Jeffery LeFevre for a 67-yard score to end the half at 31-7 over Donna.
Raiders RB Ethan Guerra picks up yardage against Donna in the 5A Bi-District playoffs. (HSSMImages/Ruiz)