Pineda’s big night carries Falcons past Rattlers in non-district finale
LOS FRESNOS — Los Fresnos quarterback Robert Pineda has made the end zone his home during the first half of the Texas high school football season.
Through five games the junior signal caller has rushed for nine touchdowns, already eclipsing his mark of six from a year ago.
Pineda continued his early season onslaught Friday, rushing for six touchdowns during a 70-33 win over the Sharyland High Rattlers at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium in Los Fresnos.
His big night brought him to 15 rushing touchdowns on the year, just one less than his combined total from the previous two years.
“Man, I tell you what I don’t think he (Pineda) gets enough credit,” Los Fresnos head coach David Cantu said. “He’s the humblest kid in this whole town. He’s just beautiful to watch. He’s so much fun to watch play. He’ll be the first to give credit to everyone around him though”
The dual-threat quarterback wasted no time getting things going with his legs Friday, breaking away for a 49-yard run on his first carry of the day. Pineda followed it up with a 11-yard touchdown run on the next play to give the Falcons a 7-6 lead midway through the first.
The touchdown run was just the beginning for the junior, adding touchdown runs of 6-, 9- and 37 yards during the first half, along with a 32-yard touchdown pass to running back Tyler Stachowiak to give Los Fresnos a 35-26 lead at the break.
Pineda and the Falcons picked up right where they left off during the second half, driving down the field on their opening drive of the third and capping it off with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Pineda to tight end Joshua Laster to extend their lead to 16 points.
An interception by defensive back Ryan Prepejchal on the ensuing drive gave the offense the ball back almost instantly, with the Falcons turning it into another touchdown run by Pineda, his fifth of the night.
A 72-yard touchdown pass from Harris to Bruno Cavazos cut into the Falcons lead during the third, but Los Fresnos came right back with a score of their own, with senior Josh Limon taking the following kickoff 75 yards to put the Falcons up 56-33 heading into the final period.
Pineda’s sixth touchdown run of the night all but sealed the Falcons win during the fourth, with backup running back Fabian Gomez putting the final touches on the win with a one-yard touchdown run late in the fourth.
“I love every single one of my guys,” Pineda said. “I always have but the chemistry on offense, it is like a brotherhood. We all come in and work hard. That’s the difference. We all love each other and just play for each other.”
Pineda finished the day 11-of-14 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, adding 15 carries for 219 yards and six scores. Running back Tyler Stachowiak chipped in 129 total yards and one touchdown.
Harris paced the Rattlers offense, completing 21-of-29 passes for 377 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Francisco Gomez led all pass catchers with five catches for 151 yards and touchdown. Fellow wideout Bruno Cavazos added four catches for 129 yards and one touchdown.
The Rattlers (3-3) turn their attention to District 15-5A DI play beginning at 7 p.m. next Thursday at home against the Mission Veterans Patriots.
The Falcons (5-1) head into a bye week before kicking off District 32-6A play the following week against San Benito at home.
“First season is over. It’s done,” Cantu said. “We’ll enjoy the heck out of this tonight. We’ll dance to Brass Monkey here in a bit. After that, tomorrow it starts. We got a bye week next week, so it gives us more time to heal. We’re excited. All this is over with. It’s a brand new season. Everyone is going to be 0-0 starting next week.”
