(Mercedes, Texas)-Standing on the sidelines was Mercedes HS senior quarterback, Michael Cisneros as he watched the Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots (5-3, 5-1) at the Tiger 7-yard line with less than :50 seconds left to play, with the Tigers ahead 21-20. All the Patriots needed to do is line up and kick a 17-yard winning field goal. Right? Wrong! Instead, QB Ricky Reyna threw an incomplete pass into the end-zone.
On the next play, Reyna was chased out of bounds for a seven-yard loss. Now, facing third down at the Mercedes 14-yard line, again, the Patriots could have lined up for the potential game-winning field goal? Right? Wrong! Again, Reyna rolled to the right with nine seconds left to play and launch a pass into double coverage, and the Tigers would intercept the ball for the 21-20 win over the Patriots, snapping their five-game win streak. “Can you believe this, we won,” said Cisneros as he celebrated with teammates. He took the last knee for the win. Head coach Roger Adame raised his arms, clinching his fist in celebration. “This is a crazy win,” said Adame. “We will take it.”
The Tigers (8-1, 6-1) are now in a three-way tie for first place in District 16-5A DII along with Sharyland and yes, Mission Veterans Memorial. The Tigers will meet Sharyland Pioneer on November 5th at Richard Thompson Stadium while the Patriots will play Pioneer (5-3, 4-2) this Thursday night in a must-win game for the Diamondbacks. Sharyland, Mercedes, and Mission Veterans have all clinched playoff spots.
