Bobcats lose in heartbreaker, 35-32

By CARLOS GONZALES
Special to the NEWS

SINTON–It was a thriller finale for Rio Hondo fans who traveled here Friday night as the Pirates hosted the Bobcats in a non-District 3A match.

With both teams giving their all, it was no wonder that the Pirates barely clinched a win over the Bobcats at the final seconds of the game following a turnover, producing a final score of 35-32. The Rio Hondo offense instantly caught fire with three touchdown passes from quarterback Juan Puga to receivers R.J. Vega, Jacob Garza, and Shawn O’Brien, which gave them the early lead.

The Pirates responded by scoring three touchdowns of their own, making the halftime score at 26-21 favoring the Bobcats. But it was the Pirates who came out fired up for the third quarter, scoring two more touchdowns, as well as holding the Cat offense at bay, giving them the lead as the third quarter ended.

Now behind by two possessions in the fourth quarter and following a turnover by fumble, the Rio Hondo offense sensed the urgency to score as the time drained away. But prayers were answered with a big drive led by Puga, which delivered the much needed points and sparking a Bobcat comeback and making the score 35-32 midway in the fourth.

The little momentum gained after the score was just what the Cat defense need to make a huge stop against the Pirates with 1:56 left in the game, giving back the ball to Rio Hondo.

The Bobcats instantly started driving the ball down to the redzone, and was promising the final touchdown they needed to win the game.

But Bobcat fans’ dreams were crushed at 36 seconds remaining in the game, as a bad throw led to Sinton interception on their own five-yard line, capping a Pirate victory over the Bobcats. “It was a really good game,” stated Head Coach Rocky James, “the kids played really well against a team like Sinton.” James also noted that injury threatened the team going into the game with nine Bobcat players not being able to play, but was proud at how the team handled itself.

Next week, the Bobcats will play their last non-district game, as they host the Fighting Jerseys of Falfurrias.

To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Sept. 11 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.