(Pharr, Texas)-In the High School Sports Magazine’s Thursday Night Game of the Week, the Roma Gladiators (8-0, 3-0) held off a charging PSJA Memorial Wolverine team (7-1, 2-1) in double overtime 48-40. “This win is for our fans, community, players, school, this win is for those who love the Roma Gladiators,” said an emotional Roma HS head football coach, Frank Villanueva. “This win tonight…is an emotional win.” The win puts the Gladiators in sole possession of first place in District 16-5A DII.
In double overtime, Roma RB Ediel Garcia broke loose up the middle for a 25-yard touchdown in to give the Gladiators a 46-40 lead. Garcia also scored the two point conversion put them up 48-40.
PSJA Memorial was next. A holding penalty put the Wolverines at 35-yard line. Head coach Will Littleton watched his quarterback Ryan Reyna throw his final pass in the endzone, hoping for a miracle ending. It just didn’t happen. “We played a very good team tonight. We could play Roma ten more times and we would win five of those games. We had our opportunities tonight. We will regroup and move forward. I’m proud of our team,” said PSJA Memorial head football coach, Will Littleton.
The last six minutes were epic. Down 37-34, PSJA Memorial Wolverines went to their kicker, Omar “Neon” Garcia for the game-tying field goal. His 41-yard kick tied the game at 37-37 all. He was hoping for another chance too.
Then it happened. With 3:25 left to play, leading running back from the Rio Grande Valley, Issac Lozano fumbled at the PSJA Memorial 25-yard line, giving the Wolverines one more shot at winning this game. QB Reyna proved to be unstoppable on this drive. He dashed for 35 yards to the Roma 43-yard line with :07 seconds left to play. He continued his drive with a pass to WR Robert Moralez at 34-yard line with :02 left to play. Kicker Garcia got his wish. His field goal attempt was blocked in regulation, sending the game into overtime.
Roma Quarterback David Galan finished with 242 passing yards and 90 rushing yards with two scores. Gladiator WR Luis Peña had five catches for 110 yards. Senior running back Isaac Lozano, finished the night with 117 yards and a score. “I don’t have words to explain how I feel right now,” said Lozano. “This is incredible.” (HSSMImages/Ruiz)
