C. C. Winn Mavericks score 21 unanswered points in second half to defeat Laredo Nixon Mustangs during Homecoming

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School Mavericks rallied with 21 unanswered points in the second-half to defeat the Laredo Nixon High School Mustangs 21-7 during 2014 Homecoming festivities in a key District 29-5A football game on Friday, October 31, 2014, at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium in Eagle Pass, Texas.

The Mavericks improve to 4-5 overall in the season and 3-3 in District 29-5A standings with the win over the Laredo Nixon Mustangs.

The highlight of the game was the crowning of the 2014 C. C. Winn Homecoming Queen and King as Life Skills Club representatives Janette de la Garza and Jorge Gonzalez were bestowed that honor by their fellow students who elected them as Homecoming Queen and King to the delight of the loyal Mavericks Nation fans. Also named to the 2014 Homecoming Court were Adelaida Tellez and Dante Valdes representing Spanish Club as Princess and Prince, Karen Vidaurri and Emmanuel Herrera representing Mavericks Football as Duchess and Duke, Angelica Beltran and John Padilla representing the Thundering Mavericks Band as Countess and Count, and Alexia Villarreal and Rolando Garcia representing Student Council as Lady and Lord.

The Mavericks and Mustangs locked up in a defensive battle during most of the first-half with both teams stifling each other’s explosive offenses. The thundering Mavericks defense was led by linebackers Ryan Pike, Everardo De Los Santos, and Chris Aranda, defensive linemen Xavier Lopez, David Garza, and Abel Flores, and defensive backs Jonathan Villarreal, Max Vallejo, Rene Rodriguez, and Rene Auces.

The Mavericks appeared to have scored the first touchdown of the game on a dazzling 34 yard run by standout Maverick tailback Deion Alonso during the second quarter but the touchdown was negated due to a penalty against the Mavericks.

The visiting Mustangs surprised the Mavericks late in the second quarter with a 48 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Danny Ledezma to wide receiver Joel Trevino, who eluded the grasp of two Maverick defenders to race down the sideline into the Mavericks end zone, and the point after attempt was good to take a 7-0 lead with 1:24 minutes remaining before half-time.

During half-time, the Mavericks coaching brain trust made key offensive and defensive adjustments for the second half of play.

In the third-quarter, the Mavericks engineered a 58 yard touchdown drive culminating on a three yard scamper into the end zone by tailback Deion Alonso and place kicker Dante Valdez’s point after attempt was good, tying the game at 7-7 each with 2:55 minutes left in the third period. Momentum began to change in the game during the third-quarter in favor of the Mavericks.

In the fourth-quarter, the Mavericks explosive offense began to wear down the aggressive Mustangs defense with a combination of key runs and passes to orchestrate a 55 yard touchdown drive aided by two key pass completions to Mavericks tight end Jose Rodriguez and resulting in a sensational 19 yard touchdown run by standout running back Chris Aranda breaking several Mustangs tacklers into the end zone and place kicker Dante Valdez extra point was good, giving the Mavericks their first lead of the game 14-7 with 4:01 minutes remaining in the game.

The battle-tested Mavericks defense was put to the test one final time in the game as the Mustangs took the ensuing kick-off and began marching down the Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium turf seeking to score and tie the game, but standout Mavericks defensive back Max Vallejo intercepted a Danny Ledezma pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown and Dante Valdez’s point after attempt was good, sealing the Mavericks hard-fought District 29-5A victory 21-7 over the pesky Mustangs.

The Mavericks have a possibility to make the state playoffs for the first time in football depending on how they fare against the District 29-5A Co-Leaders Somerset High School Bulldogs on Friday, November 7, 2014, at 7:30 P.M. at Somerset, Texas and the final outcome of several other district games.

The loyal Mavericks Nation aficionados are encouraged to attend the Mavericks pivotal regular season-ending game against the Somerset Bulldogs on Friday, November 7th, and cheer them on to victory. Go Mavericks!