Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 12, 1998 Page: 4 of 10
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The Rio Grande Herald-Thursday, November 12,1998, Page 4
McAllen Bulldogs defeat playoff-bound Rattlers 38-21
The playoff-bound Rio Grande
City Rattlers ended their regular
season on a disappointing note as
the McAllen High Bulldogs defeated
them 38-21 in a chilly game at
Memorial Stadium in McAllcn.
The Rattlers entered the game
knowing they had qualified for a
state playoff berth. They will play
Laredo Nixon on the road Friday
night at 8 p.m. at Shirley Stadium
in Laredo.
The Rattlers took an early 6-0
lead, only to see the Bulldogs lake a
10-6 advantage into intermission
when a late Rio drive stalled inside
the McAllen 5. The Bulldogs came
out sizzling after intermission,
scoring three touchdowns in the
third quarter to take a 31-6 lead.
The Rattlers launched a strong
fourth quarter comeback, scoring
two touchdowns to cut the deficit to
31-21. They apparently recovered an
onside kick inside the McA'Ien 45,
but the officials awarded the
Bulldogs the ball after ruling that
the ball had been illegally touched
by a Rattler before traveling 10
yards. After that, the Rattler
comeback ran out of gas as the
Bulldogs drove for a game-clinching
touchdown.
The Rattler offense did not
achieve the potency of previous
games as they collected 296 total
yards. Richie Smith was '.he leading
offensive threat with 105 yards
rushing and Roy Cordova added 69
receiving yards.
The Bulldogs rolled up 342 total
yards as sophomore quarterback Sky
Cook rushed for 105 yards and one
touchdown and passed for 135 yards
and two scores-
Four turnovers, including three
lost fumbles, proved costly to the
Rattlers. An illegal procedure late
in the first half when the Rattlers
were pcrched on the McAllcn 3
untimately killed what seemed to be
a certain scoring drive.
A minor shoulder injury in the
opening moments sidelined
quarterback Abel Gonzalez for the
rest of the first half, but he returned
to play the entire second half.
The Rattlers got on the
scoreboard first when quarterback
Elias Vasquez threw a 13-yard
scoring pass to Juan Aldape with
5:59 left in the first quarter. The
score remained 6-0 when the extra
point attempt failed.
The Rattler lead was short-lived
as quarterback Sky Cook bolted
through the middle for a 58-yard
scoring romp. Noe Flores booted
the extra point to give the Bulldogs
a 7-6 lead.
Late in the first quarter, the
Bulldogs set up shop on their 28
and executed a 59-yard, 14-play
drive Armie Cantu blasted a 30-
yard field goal with 9:59 left in the
first half to boost the Bulldog lead
to 10-6.
Later in the second period, the
Bulldogs drove to the Rattler 15,
but recovered their own fumble at
the 20 for a five-yard loss. On
fourth down and seven, a Rio
defender batted away a pass at the 1
and the Rattlers took over on downs
at their 20.
The Rattlers launched an
impressive drive when Richie
Smith broke loose for a 23-yard
sprint to the Rio 48. Juan Aldape
then made a diving reception at the
Bulldog 34 for a 16-yard
completion.
Smith ripped off gains of eight,
eight and seven yards to give the
Rattlers a first down at the 3. An
illegal procedure penalty, however,
set the Rattlers back to the 8. The
drive came up empty after an
incomplete pass on fourth down in
the final seconds of the first half,
enabling the Bulldogs to take their
10-6 margin into the lockerroom.
The Bulldogs started the second
half on a strong note by returning
the kickoff to their 45. Scan
O'Conner caught a pass at the Rio
41 for a 14-yard pickup. Sky Cook
gained 11 yards to the 30 on an
option keeper. Artie Alcantar then
caught a short pass and raced to the
13 for a 14-yard completion.
On third and seven, Cook
connected with Scan O'Conner for a
10-yard scoring pass with 8:22 left
in the first quarter. Noe Flores
booted the extra point to increase
McAllen's lead to 17-6.
After stopping the Rattlers
without a first down, the Bulldogs
began operations from their 40.
Cook and Artie Alcariiar collided in
the backfield, but Cook broke away
for a 19-yard gain to the Bulldog
41. On third and six, David Garza
TEXAS STATE BANK
GRANDE
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Playoff bound 1998 Rattler varsity football team
The playoff-bound Rio Grande City Rattler varsity football team is pictured above. Pictured arc Eric Flores (1), Eli Esquivel (3), Bobby Lopez (4),
Carlos Falcon (5), James Falcon (7), Richie Smith (8), Ricky Falcon (9), Abel Gonzalez (10), Elias Vasquez (11), Frank Morales (12), Eric De La
Garza (13), Rene Salinas (14), Mike Guerrero (16), Roy Cordova (20), Victor Sustaita (21), Ivan Campos (22), Omar Trevino (23), Jose Hinojosa
(24), Omar Saenz (25), J.J. Pena (26), David Porras (27), Frank Escamilla (28), Juan Garcia (30), Arnulfo Solis (31), Mike Carrcra (32) Luis Gucrra
(35), Albino Bazan (37), Jorge Solis (40), Merced Garza (42), Victor Gonzalez (53), Danny Garcia (54), Luis Solis (55), Eric Smith (56), Pete
Garcia (57), Eladio Ramirez (58), Luis Juarez (59), Andrian Bazan (61), Dante Garcia (63), Clyde Lund (65), Rene Chavez (66), Pedro De La Torre
(67), LeeRoy Garcia (68), Romeo Bcnavidez (69), Antonio Garcia (70), Hugo Morin (71), Edelmiro Olivarez (72), Jose Garcia (73), Kino Vela
(74), Jorge Guerra (75), Alex Perez (76), Juan De La Cruz (77), Luis Portillo (79), Juan Aldape (80), Mario Lara (81), Jaime Rivera (84), Omar
Salinas (86), Carlos Gutierrez (88), David Falcon (89), Noe Gucrra (90).
bolted through the Rattler defense
for a 22-yard gain to the 15.
Cook then broke a tackle at the
line of scrimmage and raced to the 5
for a 10-yard gain. David Garsa then
scampered into the end zone for a
five-yard scoring run with 4:12 left
in the third quarter. Flores drilled
the extra poin to boost McAIIen's
margin to 24-6.
The Rattlers gained excellent field
position when Cordova returned the
kickoff 60"yards to the Bulldog 35.
On second down, however, a
Gonzalez pass was intercepted and
returned to the McAllen 48, with a
VOTERS OF RIO GRANDE CITY
VOTANTES DE LA CIUDAD DE RIO GRANDE
LET ME EXPRESS MY SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR
THOSE WHO SUPPORTED MY CANDIDACY FOR THE
BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF RIO GRANDE CITY THIS
PAST ELECTION. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK
THOSE WHO VOTED FOR OUR CITY.
I PLEDGE TO BACK OUR BOARD OF ALDERMEN
AND TO DO MY PART TO HELP OUR CITY MOVE
FORWARD.
MIL GRACIAS A LOS QUE APOYARON MI CANDIDA-
TURA PARA CONSEJERO MUNICIPAL Y PARA LOS
QUE VOTARON A FAVOR DE LA CIUDAD.
SINCERELY,
NOE R. SANCHEZ
Provider for:
Mission
Health
Network
m
Announcing The Opening Of A New Full Time
Specialty Physician Office For The Practice Of
OPHTHALMOLOGY
VmM G. Stak MD, PA
it'1 1
203 E. 2nd Street 2025 E. Griffin Pkwy
Rio Grande City, TX Mission, TX
Ph. (956) 487-7915 Ph. (956) 583-0202
□
Pankaj G. Shah, M.D is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist with subspecialty training
in Cornea & External Diseases Dr. Shah practices Comprehensive Ophthalmology.
His new office is now open to serve the Mission Community Some of the conditions
he treats include: .yd surgery
-Complete eye exam -Pediatric & adult exams Medicare,
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, . . and most
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-Headache evaluation -Low vision evaluation
-Small incision cataract surgery -Corneal tran:plantation
insurances
acceptea.
late hit penalty on the play moving
the ball to the Rio 37.
Cook connected with Rayjel
Rcynaldo for a 13-yard completion
to the 24. Two plays later, Artie
Alcantar bolted to the 12 for a 14-
yard gain and a first down. On
second and two, Alcantar
scampcred into the end zone for a
four-yard scoring run wih 59
seconds left in the third period. Noe
Flores again kicked the extra point
to build the Bulldogs' advantage to
31-6.
The Rattlers began an excellent
drive when Cordova caught a short
pass from Abel Gonzalez at the Rio
40 and raced to the Bulldog 45 for a
24-yard completion. On fourth and
four from the 16, Gonzalez
scrambled to the 7 for a nine-yard
gain and a first down. On second
down, however, the drive came to
an untimely end when Gonzalez
was sacked and stripped of the
football and the Bulldogs recovered
at their 10.
On the first Bulldog play,
however, the Rattlers recovered a
fumble at the 4. On third and goal,
James Falcon powered his way
across the goal line for a one-yard
scorig run with 8:39 left in the
game. Gonzalez then passed to
Cordova for the two-point
conversion to cut the Bulldogs'
margin to 31-14..
The Bulldogs recovered an onside
kick at the Rio 47, but the Rattlers
promptly recovered a funblc at their
48.
On fourth and three from the
McAllen 40, Gonzalez kept the ball
around left end for an 11-yard gain
to the 29. Richie Smith then
exploded through a big hole and
galloped into the end zone for a 29-
yard scoring bolt with 6:41
remaining in the contest. Gonzalez
kicked the extra point to trim
McAIIen's lead to 31-21.
The Rattlers then recovered an
onside kick at the Bulldog 41, but
the officials ruled that a Rattler
nlaycr had illegally touched the ball
■eforc it had traveled 10 yards and
awarded the Bulldogs the football at
the Rio 47
On fourth and five from the Rio
32, the Bulldogs lined up as if to
punt, but C\x)k passed the ball for a
five-yard completion and a first
down at the 27. Two plays later,
Juan Adame caught a short pass at
the 20 and scampered into the end
zone for a 23-yard scoring reception
with 4:13 left in the game. Flores
again kicked the extra point to
boost the Bulldogs' margin to 38-
21.
The Rattlers attempted to get a
drive going when Gonzalez
scrambled to the Rio 32 for an
eight-yard gain. Moments later, the
move ended when the Bulldogs
recovered a fumble at the Rio 44.
The rest of the game was relatively
uneventful, ending with the same
38-21 margin as the Bulldogs ended
a subpar season on a high note.
The Rattlers achieved 15 first
downs, 296 total yards, 198 yards
rushing and 98 yards passing.
Richie Smith powered the ground
game with 109 yards on 13 carries,
including a 29-yard scoring sprint.
Abel Gonzalez gained 43 yards on
nine attempts and Roy Cordova
scampered for 33 yards on four
tries.
Elias Vasquez completed 4 of 12
passes for 63 yards and one
touchdown. Abel Gonzalez
completed 2 of 11 attempts for 35
yards. Roy Cordova snared four
passes for 69 yards. Juan Aldape
achieved two receptions for 29
yards, including a 13-yard scoring
strike.
The Bulldogs garnered 16 first
downs, 342 total yards, 207 yards
rushing and 135 yards passing.
Sophomore quarterback Sky
Cook gained big chunks of yardage
on the ground with 105 yards on 14
carries, including a 58-yard scoring
scamper. David Garza garnered 44
yards on 10 carries and scored one
touchdown. Artie Alcantar
contributed 42 yards on 11 attempts
and scored one touchdown.
Cook completed 9 of 15 passes
for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Noe Flores was the leading receiver
with three catches for 48 yards.
Scan O'Conner and Rayjel
Reynaklo each caught two passes
for 24 yards, with O'Conner
i
scoring one touchdown. Juan
Adame and Artie Alcantar each
caught one pass for 23 and 14
yards, respectively, with Adame
scoring a touchdown.
Four turnovers, inlcuding three
lost fumbles, proved deadly to the
Rattlers. Both Bulldog turnovers
were fumbles that set up Rattler
scoring drives in the fourth period
The Rattlers were penalized six
times for 40 yards while the
Bulldogs were 'lagged five times for
45 yards.
Despite the disappointing regular
season finale, the 1998 football
season has proven to be very
successful and exciting for the
Rattlers as they qualified for a state
playoff berth for the first time in 13
years. The last time they reached
the state playoffs was in Class 4-A
in 1985.
The Rattlers, who qualified for
the playoffs as the third place team
from District 30-5A, finished the
regular season with an overall
record of 5-5 and a district record of
2-3. They played district
powerhouses La Joya and McAllen
Nikki Rowe on even terms, coming
out on the short end in dramatic
games by three points and one
point, respectively.
The Rattlers will play Laredo
Nixon, the champion of their
district with a 9-1 record, in the
bidistrict round of the playoffs
Friday night at 8 p.m. at Shirley
Stadium in Laredo.
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Taking care ot yourself through
moderate exercise, diet and sleep
can help in the treatment of lupus.
St. Jude No vena
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be
adored, glorified, loved and pre-
served throughout the world now
and forever. Sacred Heart of Je-
sus pray for us. St. Jude, worker
of miracles, pray tor us. (Say
this nine times a day, by the 8th
day your prayer will be an-
swered. Say it nine days, it has
never been known to fail Publi-
cation must be promised.) Thank
you St. Jude.
A.J.S.
7-28-98
St. Jude Novena
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be
adored, glorified, loved and pre-
served throughout the world now
and forever Sacred I leart of Je-
sus pray for us. St Jude, worker
of miracles, pray for us. (Say
this nine times a day. by the 8th
day your prayer will be an-
swered Say it nine days, it has
never been known to fail. Publi-
cation must be promised.) I hank
you St. Jude.
A.J.S.
7-30
St. Jude Novena
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be
adored, glorified, loved and pre-
served throughout the world now
and forever. Sacred Heart ol Je-
sus pray lor us. St. Jude, worker
of miracles, pray for us. (Say
(his nine times a day, by the 8th
day your prayer will be an-
swered Say n nine days, it has
never been known to fail. Publi-
cation must be promised.) Thank
you St. Jude.
A.J.S.
7-29-98
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Roberts, Kenneth. Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 12, 1998, newspaper, November 12, 1998; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195678/m1/4/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.