(Pharr, Texas)-On Thursday night, the PSJA North Raiders (4-0, 1-0) proved why they are ranked No.7 in the State 5A Division I Polls in Texas as they shut down the McAllen (3-1, 0-1) Bulldogs in their District 15-5A Division I opener at PSJA Stadium. The Raiders will now play the Edinburg Vela Sabercats (3-0) next Friday night at Richard Flores Stadium in Edinburg while the Bulldogs will play host to the Rio Grande City Rattlers (2-2, 1-0). “We played a lot of players tonight. It was a great win for our program and now we have to get ready for the Sabercats,” said head football coach, Marcus Kaufmann.
The defending District 15-5A Division I Champions, Raiders rotated three quarterbacks as they racked up 588 total yards on offense and defensively, the Bulldogs were held to 27 total yards. “Our defense had a big night,” added Kaufmann. The Raiders scored on their first drive to make it 7-0 over the Bulldogs. On the ensuing kickoff, the Raiders recovered an onside kick and again, QB Julius Arredondo would lead his team to a quick score to make it 14-0. Kaufmann elected to send QB Ale Aparicio, who has been sidelined since August with an injury, to the wide-receiver position, and he made a splash, showing his speed with a 50-yard catch. Aparicio then made the switch to QB, and Arredondo moved to the WR position. Both connected on a 23-yard touchdown pass to put the Raiders up 21-0 before the half. (HSSMIMages/Alec Amador)
Long night. The McAllen Bulldogs lost to PSJA North 56-0 in their District 15-5A Division I opener on Thursday night at PSJA Stadium.