SaberCats take down Cardinals to stay perfect

HARLINGEN — Two of the Valley’s powerhouse programs went toe-to-toe Friday, with traditional power Harlingen High hosting one of the area’s fastest rising programs in Edinburg Vela.
The meeting marked the third matchup all-time between the two programs, with Edinburg Vela getting the best of Harlingen High during their previous two meetings.
Friday’s matchup belonged to the SaberCats once again, with Vela taking down Harlingen High 34-16 during a non-district contest at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
“It was a hard-fought game in the first half,” Edinburg Vela quarterback Geoffrey LeFevre said. “We would get down the field and get stuffed in the red zone. Luckily our defense got some dudes. They really pulled through for us and we got it done in the end.”
Miscues on special teams during the first half led to the SaberCats leaving nine points on the field at the break, entering halftime tied with Harlingen High 7-7 after three missed field goals.
Edinburg Vela didn’t let that bring them down, shaking off the first half and erupting for 27 second-half points behind a dominant rushing attack and big-time special teams plays.

Powering the second-half surge was senior Jonathan Flores, with the SaberCats running back scoring three of his four touchdowns during the final two quarters.
Flores put Vela on top 14-7 with a 6-yard touchdown run during the third, adding to their lead with a 13-yard touchdown run late in the quarter.
His 90-yard kickoff return touchdown during the fourth extended the SaberCats lead to two possessions, putting Vela in control down the stretch.
A pair of field goals by Robert Gonzalez during the final period put the final nail in the coffin for the Cardinals, extending the SaberCats lead to 18 and never looking back.
“We had talked about toughness and discipline all week,” Edinburg Vela head coach Ernie Alonzo said. “We didn’t execute like we wanted to, but those field goals were big for us down the stretch. It put us up three scores and allowed us to play comfortably down the stretch.”
Flores finished the game with 30 carries for 135 yards and three touchdowns, adding a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown. Senior quarterback Geoffrey LeFevre did some damage through the air, completing 19-of-32 passes for 240 yards and one interception.
Defensively, Edinburg Vela defensive backs Derek Rodriguez, Luis Garcia and Sergio Briones each nabbed an interception.
The Cardinals were led offensively by junior running back Noah Huerta, carrying the ball 19 times for 195 yards and two scores.
Edinburg Vela (3-0) turns its attention to league play next week, kicking 16-5A DI play off at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Mission High at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission.
The Cardinals (2-1) look to bounce back on the road against Laredo United South (1-2) at 7 p.m. Friday.