Eagle Pass Eagles Unleash Aerial Attack against Laredo Alexander Bulldogs to Earn 48-24 Key District Win, QB Jacob Ruiz Passes for 6 Touchdowns
By: Ricardo E. Calderón, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
The high-flying Eagle Pass High School Eagles unleashed a record six aerial touchdown passes behind the arm and legs of quarterback Jacob Ruiz against arch-rival Laredo Alexander High School Bulldogs to earn a key 48-24 District 30-6A win on Friday, November 13, 2020 at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium in Eagle Pass, Texas, improving to 4-0 in District standings.
On the first possession of the game, the Eagles engineered an 75 yard touchdown drive on the Cozel Foster-Veterans Memorial Stadium artificial turf to perfection utilizing a balanced ground and aerial attack, culminating on a three yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Ruiz to wide receiver Carlos Santos and the point after attempt by place kicker Lazaro Villarreal sailed through the goal posts to give the Eagles an early 7-0 lead with 8:24 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs started their first possession at their own 14 yard line. The Bulldogs surprised the Eagles usually stout “Land Shark” defense on the first play from scrimmage as freshman running back Gael Rodriguez busted through the middle of the defense for a startling 86 yard touchdown run and the extra point was good to knot the game 7-7 a piece with 8:10 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Eagles regrouped and orchestrated an 68 yard touchdown drive on their second possession on a screen pass from quarterback Jacob Ruiz to running back TJ Mares who followed his offensive line blockers into the Bulldogs end zone for a sensational 52 yard touchdown and place kicker Lazaro Villarreal booted the extra point to regain the lead 14-7 with 6:38 minutes remaining in the first quarter, stunning the Bulldogs.
The Eagles self-proclaimed “Land Shark” defense huddled with defensive coordinator Roger Olivas and made adjustments on defending the explosive Bulldogs offense while the offense was busy scoring the second touchdown.
The Bulldogs started at their own 25 yard line during their second possession and implemented a balanced ground and pass attack marching to the Eagles 15 yard line, but the Eagles defense forced the Bulldogs to kick a 32 yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the first quarter, narrowing the score 14-10 in favor of the Eagles.
After recovering an on side kick off attempt by the Bulldogs on the ensuing possession, the Eagles offense methodically marched down the field with short runs and passes to punch the pigskin into the Bulldogs end zone on a four yard scamper by running back TJ Mares and place kicker Lazaro Villarreal’s point after attempt was good to extend the Eagles lead 21-10 with 9:20 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Both the Eagles and Bulldogs defenses managed to force punts on the following four possessions in a defensive see-saw battle midway through the second quarter.
Eagles defensive back Chris Hiller swiped an aerial bomb from Bulldogs quarterback Jay Santos intended for wide receiver Nathan Jasso to stop a Bulldogs drive at the Eagles 36 yard line with 1:11 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Eagles quarterback Jacob Ruiz guided the offense on an 64 yard touchdown drive culminating with an eight yard pass in the end zone to running back TJ Mares and Lazaro Villarreal’s extra point missed its mark, extending the Eagles lead 27-10 with eight seconds remaining before halftime. The Eagles took a 27-10 halftime lead over the Bulldogs.
In the third quarter, the Bulldogs received the opening kick off and marched to the Eagles 40 yard line, but Eagles defensive end Nathan Aguilar sacked quarterback Jay Santos for a seven yard loss to the Eagles 47 yard line, forcing the Bulldogs to attempt a fake punt but the Eagles defense snuffed it out to take over on downs at their own 44 yard line with 8:37 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The mighty Eagles offense orchestrated a patented 64 yard touchdown drive resulting in a 29 yard aerial bomb to wide receiver Dakota Kypuros in the Bulldogs end zone and place kicker Lazaro Villarreal’s point after attempt was good, extending the Eagles lead 34-10 with 6:56 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The never say die Bulldogs engineered an 75 yard touchdown drive on their ensuing possession culminating on a 13 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jay Santos to wide receiver Rodrigo Solis and the point after attempt failed, narrowing the score 34-16 in favor of the Eagles with 4:37 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Eagles had a good kick return and took over at their 49 yard line to start their next drive. Like clockwork, the Eagles offensive line blocked and pass protected well against the pesky Bulldogs defense resulting in an 51 yard touchdown drive with quarterback Jacob Ruiz connecting with fleet-footed running back TJ Mares on a 21 yard pass into the promised land and Lazaro Villarreal’s extra point was good to give the Eagles a commanding 41-16 lead with 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
On the Bulldogs ensuing possession, Eagles defensive back Isaac Stanwick intercepted quarterback Jay Santos pass attempt and returned it to Alexander’s 21 yard line with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter, providing excellent field position to the Eagles.
Eagles quarterback Jacob Ruiz and company quickly capitalized on Stanwick’s interception and struck pay dirt on a 19 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver OJ Ruiz and Lazaro Villarreal’s point after attempt sailed through the uprights to enlarge the Eagles lead 48-16 with 11:03 minutes remaining in the game.
Following their seventh touchdown of the game, Eagles Head Coach Tom Gonzalez placed his reserve players in the game to give them valuable game experience and reward them for their dedication to the team.
The Bulldogs tallied the final points in the game against the Eagles reserve players on an 72 yard touchdown drive culminating with a 24 yard screen pass from quarterback Jay Santos to wide receiver Nathan Jasso and the two point conversion was good to make it 48-24 in favor of the Eagles with 5:45 minutes remaining in the game.
The Eagles reserve offense under quarterback Fernando Sarabia ran out the clock and Head Coach Tom Gonzalez ordered the Eagles to take a knee under the victory formation for the final plays of the game with the football at the Bulldogs five yard line, demonstrating extraordinary character and sportsmanship.
Eagles quarterback Jacob Ruiz tossed six touchdown passes in the game, setting or tying the Eagles record for the most touchdown passes thrown in a game, while running back TJ Mares rushed for one touchdown and caught three touchdown passes to lead the Eagles to victory.
The Eagles celebrated in jubilation over their hard fought District 30-6A win over the potent Laredo Alexander Bulldogs, going to 4-0 in District standings with two district games remaining.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates the Eagle Pass Eagles on their key victory against the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs. Go Eagles Baby!
