Bears passing attack too much, rout Cardinals

PHARR — PSJA High quarterback Myles Lopez threw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns and the defense forced four turnovers as the Bears dominated the Harlingen High Cardinals 55-28 during a Class 6A DII bi-district contest Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.

“We talked about all week how the tables were turned from the last time we played these guys,” PSJA High head coach said. “That year they were the No. 1 seed. Now we were the No. 1 seed, and they were coming into our house. We wanted to make sure we did a little payback for what they did to us two years ago. Our guys came out and stood up to the challenge tonight.”

PSJA High’s aerial assault was on full display during the opening half, with all four of Lopez’s touchdowns coming during the first two quarter.

Pacing the way for the Bears’ receiving corps were seniors Caleb Salas and Ryan Vallejo, with the duo combined for 404 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Salas led all receiver with 10 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Vallejo added nine catches for 195 yards and one score. Both receivers were held to less than 20 yards during their last game against Harlingen High in 2022.

Harlingen High matched PSJA High’s offensive explosion an aerial assault of their own, including a two-touchdown burst during the third to cut their deficit to seven heading into the final quarter.

Senior Jonas Serna connected with junior Maddox Hernandez for three of his touchdown passes, adding another to junior David Ramos. Hernandez finished with three catches for 178 yards and three touchdowns, while Ramos added two catches for 57 yards and a score.

The Bears answers the Cardinals 14-point third quarter by outscoring them 20-0 during the final period.

Senior Jorge Alanis scored on a 1-yard run during the first play of the fourth to spark PSJA High’s run of three straight touchdowns, with senior Jesus Garza adding an interception return for a touchdown and Salas hammering the final nail in the coffin on a 68-yard catch-and-run off a pass from backup quarterback Dylan Rodriguez with 4:25 remaining.

Matthew Gamez sealed the Bears victory with his second interception of the night, joining Garza with two picks during the game.

“At halftime we told our guys about not giving up the big plays,” Rodriguez said. “They had four big plays that got them points. We just told our guys to settle down and continue staying with their man. Coaches did a great job of adjusting and they came out big in the second half.”

The Cardinals end the year with a 5-6 overall record, including a 1-3 mark during District 32-6A play for fourth.

Meanwhile, the Bears improve to 9-2 overall while extending their winning streak to six. They’ll take on Cibolo Steele in the area round of the 6A DII playoffs at a date, time and location to be determined.

“Anything is possible next round,” Rodriguez said. “Its football. It happens at all levels. We just have to go out there next week and play with confidence and lay it out wherever it goes.”