The Raiders had the option for a tie after scoring a late fourth-quarter touchdown, but they went for the win, and converted the 2-pointer to give themselves a 45-44 lead over the Cougars with 48 seconds. Brownsville Rivera would hold on after Edinburg North took it down to the Raiders’ 30-yard line with four second left.
Brownsville Rivera (1-1) picked up its first win under head coach Johnny Garza. He was always going to go for it after his team made it 44-43, he said.
“These boys deserve to win. If I am conservative that means that I am holding them back,” Garza said. “These kids want wins.”
The Raiders were making plays all night. Quarterback Ivan Rodriguez hit Alejandro Garza for 32 yards for the touchdowns and then ran the the conversion with the swinging gate play, an unconventional play that has the quarterback uncovered.
“It was good for the kids and it was good for the community,” Garza said about the win. “When I got here, my expectations are very high. I just need them to believe in it. It is slowly coming, but surely. I am glad that we came out healthy tonight. We are ready to roll next week. We have a big mountain to climb, of course, our opponents in our district are tough, but these are my boys and I am going to go war with them every game.”
Rodriguez had to step up in the pocket on his 32-yarder to Garza. Rodriguez said Garza has a lot of heart. Garza muffed a punt in the first half that resulted in a Cougar touchdown, but Garza made up for it more than once.
“I knew he would make a play,” Rodriguez said. “He has been my number one receiver since last year. He is really good.”
Rodriguez said it felt great to find a spot in the end zone for the game-winning two-point conversion.
Rivera’s go-ahead moment link
Garza praised his offensive playmakers, “all glory goes to them,” he said. Senior running back Gabriel Gonzalez was running people over. He had a 46-yard tou... Click here to read full article
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