Crash-Out Brothers and Flores Lead Vela to Victory

Aug 30 2024

EDINBURG — The season opener between 6A Edinburg North and 5A Edinburg Vela was neck and neck for 46 minutes, until back to back touchdowns by Vela's senior running back Jonathan Flores (20) stretched the final score to 29-10.

The final score doesn't reflect the critical role the Sabercats' defense had in the victory. Vela made stops that turned the tide of the game, particularly in the second half, where they thwarted North in their own territory four times, allowing just a single field goal despite multiple drives into or starting on Vela's side of the field.

The game opened with a fumble by Vela's Jonathan Flores on the kickoff, gifting North possession deep in Vela territory. However, the Sabercats' defense responded immediately, forcing a three-and-out and denying North on the Sabercat's 36-yard line. Robbie Rodriguez (22), a sophomore who plays alongside his senior brother Derek Rodriguez (7), described this defense as relentless and driven by hustle. "It just comes down to hustle," Robbie said, "It doesn't matter if we're on the plus side or the minus side, we're just going to hustle every play."

Edinburg Vela linebacker Robbie Rodriguez (22) tackles Edinburg North quarterback Jose Ramirez (1) with the aid of teammates during their game on Friday Aug 30 2024 at Richard Flores Stadium in Edinburg.

Jonathan Flores quickly atoned for his mistake on the fumble, blasting off down the gut untouched for a 38-yard touchdown run three minutes into the game. A previous 45 yard touchdown rush was called back due to a penalty only a few plays earlier. Vela took an early lead, 7-0, and Flores would display more of his explosive playmaking later in the game. "It was incredible," Flores said after the game. "The feeling of breaking through, just running, knowing my team's behind me. Scoring is the best feeling in this game."

Lead by senior quarterback Jose Ramirez (1), the Cougars answered back with a methodical 70-yard drive, chewing up six minutes of the clock. The drive was capped by a rushing touchdown from Adrian Marroquin (17) to even the score at 7-7. Later in the game, Vela capitalized on excellent field position off a shanked punt by North. Quarterback Geoffrey Creighton Lefevre (12) led a quick drive, connecting with receiver June Garza Jr. (1) on a 40-yard pass, followed by a 2-yard strike in the back of the endzone with just 37 seconds left to halftime, putting Vela up 14-7.

Derek Rodriguez, who is playing his final season alongside his brother Robbie, shared his thoughts on the team's defense and their ability to hold strong in moments of pressure. "I've played with really good defenses," Derek said, "I've been a three-year starter, I've played with the best of the best. This year is nothing less—we're bringing the energy, we're bringing everything from last year and years past to this year."

Edinburg Vela's "The Crash-Out Brothers" linebacker Robbie Rodriguez (22) and Derek Rodriguez (7) captured between plays during their game against Edinburg North on Friday Aug 30 2024 at Richard Flores Stadium in Edinburg.

The second half was a defensive showcase for Vela. North consistently had the ball in Vela's territory but could not break through. The Sabercats' defense held strong. In the late third quarter and early fourth, North put together a 50-yard drive, but Vela’s defense dug their heels in and limited North to a 26-yard field goal by kicker Luis Ceballos (72), narrowing the score to 14-10.

In following posessions, North continued to push into Vela's territory, but the Sabercats' defense remained relentless, stopping North at the Vela 40 and 45 yard lines. "Vela is built on winning," Derek added when discussing the team's resilience, "The only thing we know how to do is win."

With just under two minutes to play, Jonathan Flores delivered the knockout blow, sprinting 60 yards for a touchdown to extend Vela's lead to 21-10. Reflecting on his performance and his role in Vela's offense, Flores said, "Last year I was number 21, I was behind (Jamal) Polley. It was always a struggle to beat him, but now that I'm a senior and he's at UTRGV, it’s my time to shine. I'm going to be better, hopefully better this year."

On North's ensuing possession, a series of penalties pushed them back to their own 2-yard line. A botched snap resulted in a safety, making the score 23-10 with 1:26 left. Flores then hammered in the last nail of the night with a dazzling 77-yard punt return touchdown, his second score in less than a minute, sealing the game at 29-10. "My O-Line had some incredible blocks," Flores praised. "We're going to go to film and work on some things, but overall, they had the holes there, and I just hit them."

For "The Crash-Out Brothers", sharing the field as brothers is something they've done all their lives. "It's nothing different," Robbie said of his brother Derek, "he's been by my side my whole life, he's always there for me." But the final year is bittersweet. "This is the last year we have together." Derek added. "I've taught him everything he knows. Any question he has at home or in the film room, he comes to me because I've been here."

The Sabercats move forward to play Edinburg High School next Friday at Richard Flores Stadium in Edinburg. Edinburg North will face off with Brownsville Rivera at the same stadium on Thursday.

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