Todd's Take

Joined by Monitor photographer Nathan Lambrecht in the press box. Kids at home, the only reason a photographer comes to the press box is to get a roster. He’s not taking pictures of the Mission High roster I was able to locate. I told him I didn’t have a Mercedes roster. Someone up here does, though, so Nathan will be taking a photo of their roster.

Nathan is now looking over my shoulder so I can only say nice things about him. Did you know Nathan has won numerous awards for his photojournalism? He’s one of the best there is.

Covering my first 32-4A game maybe ever, and what a game it is. The Mercedes Tigers, whose uniforms are eerily similar to the Texas Longhorns’, battle Mission High at hallowed Tom Landry Stadium.

Mission (3-6, 3-2) need a victory to advance to the playoffs. Mercedes (5-4, 3-2) is in with a win and can still qualify with a loss provided Mission Veterans loses to Edcouch-Elsa on Saturday.

Aside from the playoff ramifications, I’m also interested to ge my first look at Mercedes back Alex Trevino. One of The Monitor’s sports staffers has been singing Trevino’s praises the last two years. It should be interesting to see how Trevino plays tonight.

Rosters are a problem tonight, so Mercedes players will be referred to by numbers throughout at least the first half. I’ll try to pick up what I can from the public address announcer.

For the one or two of you who may be reading this, check back for further updates throughout the game. And to the person who recently sent in a comment written in Chinese, please stick to English or Spanish if at all possible. I approved the comment from the Far East, but I have no idea what it means. Maybe I’ll get it as a tattoo later.

Justin Villanueva rushed for 205 yards on 22 attempts and scored three touchdowns as the Bears held off Economedes.

On a fourth-and-four at the Economedes 20, the Bears decided to go for it. But before they could snap the ball the middle of the Jaguars’ line jumped offsides. Justin Villanueva cashed in on another 15-yard TD run for this third score of the night.

Villanueva now has 21 rushes for 204 yards and three TDs. PSJA High has this one in control with 8:33 remaining.

Justin Villanueva’s 18-yard run to start the fourth quarter and a 9-yard gain by George Rodriguez has the Bears second-and-one at the Economedes 27. A touchdown here by PSJA High would put the game out of Economedes’ reach.

There’s 11:29 remaining in regulation.

Economedes drove into PSJA High territory late in the third quarter but stalled. Angel Millan’s 11-yard punt put the Bears first-and-10 and their 32. George Rodriguez, in at tailback in place of the injured Osvaldo Cantu, ripped off a 14-yard run on first down.

Justin Villanueva was stopped by Bryan Iglesias for no gain and it’s second-and-10 for the Bears at their 46 when play resumes in the fourth quarter. Villanueva, by the way, has 168 yards on 17 rushes.

Justin Villanueva’s second TD of the night, this one a 15-yard burst, puts the Bears back on top with 2:54 remaining in the third quarter.

PSJA High went 86 yards in nine plays (eight rushes) on its scoring drive.

Fueled by 36 yards rushing by Joe Salinas and a 15-yard personal foul against PSJA High, the Jaguars tied the game on Ernesto Adriano’s 35-yard field goal with 7:17 remaining. The new scoreboard here can’t update the score, but trust me, it’s 6-6.

PSJA High takes over first-and-10 at its own 14.

About what you’d expect coming in. Economedes is above its offensive pace with 120 yards, but remember the Jaguars did get 36 yards on a botched punt.

The Bears, meanwhile, have 153 yards but have been forced to go to Plan B. Sophomore tailback Osvaldo Cantu, who had over 100 yards rushing each of the past two games, has been bottled up to the tune of three yards on eight rushes and left late in the second quarter with an apparent ankle injury.

Fullback Justin Villanueva has 107 yards on 10 attempts, but Economedes seemed to catch on late to the quick hitter up the middle that Villanueva broke for a couple of big runs earlier in the half.

PSJA quarterback Juan Palomin has been under heavy pressure whenever he’s gone back to pass. He is 5-of-8 for 42 yards.

If Economedes can force a turnover, it can pull off the upset. But I have a feeling the Jaguars might look back at No. 3’s dropped pass in the end zone as the one that got away.

Stay tuned for exciting second half action.

Economedes was ready to punt, but punter Angel Millan dropped the snap. He proceeded to pick it up and run 36 yards for the first down to the PSJA High 17. No. 3 for the Jaguars (no name on roster) dropped a sure TD pass in the end zone on third-and-six from the 13.

Ernesto Adriano enabled the Jaguars to cash in with a 30-yard field goal with 1:51 remaining in the first half.