Eagle Pass C.C. Winn Mavericks stampede Corpus Christi Carroll Tigers 21-14 to clinch first Bi-District Football Championship, play Laredo Nixon Mustangs next week at EPISD SAC
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
Playing in their school’s first-ever post-season playoff game, the thundering Eagle Pass C. C. Winn High School Mavericks stampeded the powerful Corpus Christi Carroll High School Tigers 21-14 in the Region IV, 5A Division 1, University Interscholastic League (UIL) Bi-District Championship on Friday, November 11, 2016, at the Converse-Judson Independent School District famed D. W. Rutledge Stadium at Converse, Texas.
The thunder and lightning Mavericks defense under the leadership of Head Football Coach Eric Villasenor and staff executed a perfect game plan against the potent Carroll Tigers running game by shutting them from scoring on eight possessions during the game. The Mavericks defense led by standout safety Rene Auces, linebackers Ernesto Villasenor and Alberto Duran, defensive linemen Carlos Tijerina, Enrique Garza, and Jacob Guerra, and defensive backs Alfonso Vallejo, Rey Vasquez, and Raul Gomez played extraordinary against the heralded Tigers triple back offensive scheme, completely dominating the Tigers offense.
The Mavericks offense led by standout signal caller Julio Ruiz and standout running back Danny Rios engineered three first-half touchdowns to provide the devastating Mavericks defense a sufficient lead to seal the Bi-District Championship. The Mavericks offensive line opened big holes throughout the game for tailback Danny Rios and company against he Tigers defense.
The only Mavericks weakness during the playoff game was the punting team which allowed a punt return for a touchdown and a blocked punt for another touchdown by the Tigers to keep them in the game, 21-14, until the final seconds. Head Coach Villasenor will certainly address the punting team issue before the next playoff game.
The Mavericks won the coin flip and chose to go on defense in the opening of the game. The Mavericks defense devoured the Tigers ground game, forcing them to punt.
In their first possession of the game, the Mavericks orchestrated a perfect 53 yards touchdown drive down the D.W. Rutledge Stadium turf, culminating in a three yard scamper into the end zone by Mavericks Quarterback Julio Ruiz and the point after attempt was good, taking an early 7-0 lead with 5:52 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Mavericks attempted an on-side kick but the Tigers recovered the football at the 50 yard line, giving the Tigers excellent field position. The vaunted Mavericks defense shut down the Tigers ground game once again and forced them to punt.
In their second possession, the Mavericks offense engineered a well-executed 63 yards touchdown drive against the Tigers defense resulting in a six yard dive into the end zone by standout Mavericks wide receiver Ruben Esquivel on a fourth and six yards (goal) to go play and the point after attempt was good, providing the Mavericks a 14-0 lead with 11:05 minutes in the second quarter.
The stampeding Mavericks defense completely manhandled the Tigers offense on their next possession, forcing the Tigers to punt.
The Mavericks received the football on their third possession of the game at their own 31 yard line and methodically marched down the field for a 69 yard touchdown drive, culminating in a seven yard keeper by. Mavericks Quarterback Julio Ruiz and the extra point was good, stretching the Mavericks lead 21-0 with 6:22 minutes left in the first half.
The mighty Mavericks defense smothered the Tigers running backs on their next possession, causing a Tiger fumble which Mavericks defensive end Jacob Guerra alertly pounced on the pigskin and giving the Mavericks possession at the Tigers 47 yard line with 5:25 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
The Mavericks offense had another opportunity to extend their lead with good field position, but the Mavericks fumbled the football and recovered their own fumble at the Mavericks 43 yard line, forcing them to punt.
The Tigers punt returner took the Mavericks punt and found a seam in the punting team’s coverage and raced 69 yards into the Mavericks end zone for a touchdown and the point after attempt was good, narrowing the score 21-7 in favor of the Mavericks with 3:13 minutes left before halftime.
The Tigers attempted an on-side kick, but the Mavericks fell on the football to take possession. The Mavericks got a scare on this possession as Quarterback Julio Ruiz suffered an injury to his feet and hobbled off the field with 1:03 minutes before halftime. Reserve and very talented Quarterback Mike Paniagua came in and ran out the first half clock with the Mavericks taking a 21-7 lead at halftime.
The thundering Mavericks Band and Silver Line Dance Team entertained the fans with a selection by Tejano Music recording artist Selena Quintanilla-Perez and a medley of U.S. Military music to the delight of the fans.
In the third quarter, the Mavericks took the opening kick-off at their own 30 yard line and drove down to the Tigers 40 yard line under Quarterback Julio Ruiz, but were forced to punt by the Tigers defense after having made adjustments during halftime.
The staunch Mavericks defense stopped the Tigers on their next possession, forcing them to punt.
The Mavericks took the football at their own 10 yard line and began to slowly march down the field into Tigers territory when they fumbled and the Tigers recovered the pigskin at the Mavericks 43 yard line with 10:22 minutes left in the third quarter.
Once again, the thunder and lighting Mavericks defense was called upon to put out the fire, holding the Tigers on downs and returning possession to the Mavericks offense with 9:33 minutes remaining in the third period.
Both teams exchanged possessions and went into the final fourth quarter with the Mavericks holding on to a 21-7 lead.
Mavericks standout safety Rene Auces intercepted a Tigers pass to give the Mavericks possession at the Winn 33 yard line with only 5:28 minutes left in the game. Just as the game appeared to be well in the hands of the Mavericks, the Carroll Tigers blocked a Winn punt and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown and the extra point was good, narrowing the score to 21-14 and breathing life into the Tigers with only 2:44 left in the game.
The resuscitated Tigers attempted an on side kick off, but it was recovered by the Mavericks. The Mavericks marched down the field with ease over the Tigers and were into the Tigers red zone when the Mavericks fumbled and the Tigers recovered at their own 10 yard line with 1:20 minutes left in the game with a chance to tie or win the game with a score and two point conversion.
The thousand or so Maverick Nation aficionados at the game supporting the Mavericks suddenly rose to their feet urging once again the brilliant Mavericks defense to hold the Tigers.
The formidable Mavericks defense rose to the Tigers challenge once again and standout Maverick defensive tackle Carlos Tijerina had a crushing sack of the Tigers Quarterback, pushing them to their own five yard line with 18 seconds remaining in the game. The Tigers attempted a long sideline pass and it was intercepted by standout defensive safety Rene Auces, his second of the game, to seal the Mavericks historic first ever Bi-District Championship over the pesky Corpus Christie Carroll Tigers 21-14.
With the playoff win, the C. C. Winn Mavericks improve to 9-2 and will now face the Laredo Nixon High School Mustangs in the Area Championship on Friday, November 18, 2016 at 7:30 P.M. At the Eagle Pass Independent School District Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium. All Maverick County football aficionados are encouraged to attend and support the Mavericks to victory over the Laredo Nixon Mustangs. Go Mavericks Win!
