(Pharr, Texas)-The 15-5A Division I defending champions, PSJA North Raiders (8-0, 4-0) picked up its eighth straight win by knocking off the McAllen Memorial Mustangs (5-3, 3-2) 27-7 on Friday night at PSJA Stadium.
With the win, the Raiders clinched a playoff spot and will play host to winless, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (0-8, 0-5) next Thursday night while the playoff-front runner, Mustangs will meet Rio Grande City (3-5, 2-3) at home on Thursday night. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. for both games. “McAllen Memorial is a good ball club,” said PSJA North head coach, Marcus Kaufmann. “They will do good in the playoffs.”
The Raiders took a 14-0 lead at the half and for three quarters, McAllen Memorial had opportunities to score, but the Raiders defense did not let up. The Mustangs did scored with :37 seconds left to play, avoiding a shutout by PSJA North for the seventh time this season.
The Raiders rushed for 401 yards on 34 carries in a ball-controlled offense with PSJA North sophomore running back Ethan Guerra rushing for 172 yards and three touchdowns.
The Raiders advanced to the UIL State 5A Division I Quarterfinals Championships before falling to Corpus Christi Veterans 20-14. (HSSMImages/Montalvo)