C.C. Winn Mavericks muzzled by Laredo United South Panthers during Homecoming
By: Ricardo E. Calderon
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School Mavericks were muzzled by the visiting Laredo United South High School Panthers 28-7 during 2013 Homecoming festivities on Friday, October 18, 2013, at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium in a key District 29-5A game.
The highlight of the 2013 C.C. Winn Mavericks Homecoming festivities was the crowning of the Homecoming Court and Royalty. The 2013 Mavericks Homecoming will be remembered as a historic one as it is the first time in Eagle Pass, Texas high school history that two young ladies are elected by their student peers and crowned as Homecoming Queens. Named the 2013 Mavericks Homecoming Queens were Eileen Hernandez and Jennifer Mijares representing the Gay and Straight Alliance; named Prince and Princess were Anthony Olivares and Brianna Guedea representing Band; named Duke and Duchess were Steven Garcia and Ashley Franco representing Silverline Dance Team; named Count and Countess were Carlos Cerezo and Jaslyn Garza representing Media Tech; and named Lord and Lady were George Andrade and Stephanie Nicole Borja.
The most improved team in District 29-5A, the Laredo United South Panthers, capitalized on several Mavericks fumbles and penalties to take a 21-0 lead into halftime and held on to earn the key District 29-5A win by a final score of 28-7.
In the first quarter, the Laredo United South Panthers offense led by standout quarterback Isaac Cabello quickly struck the Mavericks stout defense with a long touchdown pass from Cabello to wide receiver Rafael Rivas who caught the pass 10 yards from scrimmage and dashed down the left sideline for the six points and Panthers kicking specialist Ricky Vasquez point after attempt was good to give the Panthers an early 7 to 0 lead with 7:33 in the first stanza.
The Mavericks ground attack offense showed signs of being able to move the football against the Panthers stingy defense but self-inflicted penalties and fumbles kept the Mavericks off the scoreboard during the first-half.
The Mavericks were driving the football down the Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial turf late in the first quarter when the Panthers defense hard-tackling forced a Mavericks fumble at the Mavericks own 17 yard line and recovered it with 55 seconds left in the first period.
With excellent field position after the fumble recovery, the Panthers high octane offense did not waste time as standout quarterback Isaac Cabello sprinted for six points on an 11 yard run into the end zone and Panthers kicker Ricky Vasquez extra point was good giving the Panthers a 14 to 0 lead with 11:19 left in the second quarter.
The Mavericks ground attack offense moved the ball during several possessions but were unable to sustain a drive without a penalty or fumble during the second quarter. The Mavericks had one drive which began at their 22 yard line that was shortened by a lost fumble, giving the Panthers excellent field position at the 40 yard line. But the Panthers fumbled the football right back to the Mavericks on the next play at midfield (50 yard line) as standout Mavericks defensive end Jose Luis Flores recovered the fumble with 1:32 left in the second quarter. The Mavericks went three and out and punted the football to the Panthers late in the second quarter.
With less than a minute left before halftime, the Panthers orchestrated a touchdown drive in the closing seconds as, once again, Panthers quarterback Isaac Cabello sprinted past the Mavericks defense for a 43 yard score with only eight seconds remaining in the second quarter and kicker Ricky Vasquez point after attempt was good for a commanding Panthers lead 21 to 0 at halftime.
The thundering Mavericks Band performed during the halftime homecoming festivities in preparation for an important band contest the following day.
In the third quarter, the Mavericks offense continued to struggle with fumbling the football during drives which were recovered by the Panthers. The Mavericks punt receiving team fumbled a punt at the Winn 27 yard line, but standout Mavericks defensive back Carlos Cerezo intercepted an Isaac Cabello pass at the Mavericks two yard line to stop a Panthers potential score with 17 seconds left in the third stanza.
The Mavericks black and silver offense finally put it together early in the fourth quarter as standout quarterback Juan Elizondo called his own number and dashed for cash on an electrifying 92 yard touchdown sprint down the left sideline and standout Mavericks kicking specialist Dante Valdez point after attempt was good with 9:52 remaining in the fourth period, narrowing the score 21 to 7.
The Panthers regrouped on the first play after the ensuing kickoff and stunned the reinvigorated Maverick Nation fans as Panthers running back Miguel Lopez eluded some Maverick tacklers and raced down the Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium turf for a 70 yard touchdown score and Rudy Vasquez extra point was good giving the Panthers a 28 to 7 lead with 9:40 remaining in the game.
Both the Mavericks and Panthers defenses controlled the game in the latter half of the fourth quarter denying any scores as the visiting Laredo United South Panthers preserved a hard fought 28 to 7 victory over the thundering Mavericks.
The C.C. Winn Mavericks fall to 1-6 overall in the season and 0-3 in District 29-5A standings.
The Mavericks next play the Laredo LBJ Wolves on Thursday, October 24th, away in Laredo at 7 P.M. at the Laredo United Independent School District Student Activity Complex.
