Hover’s Heroes: McHi defeats Rowe in district opener
By Reynaldo Leal
Twitter: @reynaldolealjr
The McAllen Bulldogs remained unbeaten and started their 31-5A district run with a strong 40-21 showing against in-town rivals Nikki Rowe.
McAllen, who played the role of visitor despite being a few hundred feet from their campus, drew first blood when sophomore QB sensation Fred Hover (307 total yards, 3 passing TDs and 1 rush TD) connected with Phillip Cantu for a 14-yard touchdown pass half way through the first quarter.
The Warriors had punted away their first drive, and fell behind 7-0 early, before Javi Obregon (17/26 for 212 yards passing and 3TDs) hooked up with Adrian Salazar (148 yards receiving on 5 catches) on two consecutive drives. The 64 and 59-yard touchdown passes gave Rowe a 14-7 lead with 11:51 left in the half.
“We were playing solid offensively and solid defensively,” said McHi coach Tony Harris, “and then they hit us on two. We busted the coverage and that happens.”
The momentum belonged to Rowe for the time being, but Harris said he told his team to just play the next play and everything would be fine. There was still plenty of game left and opportunities would present themselves eventually.
The opportunity to even the score, and erase the two defensive mistakes, appeared when Coach Paul Reyes decided to try to catch the ‘Dogs off guard with an ill fated onside-kick. The failed attempt squirted forward nine yards and gave Hover and company a short 44-yard field, with plenty of time in the half.
A six-play drive (plus a 15-yard personal foul credited to the Rowe defense) put McHi within one yard of the equalizer. Ricky Rodriguez (77 yards on 16 carries) then made it look easy as he walked the ball past the enormous Bulldog offensive line and into the end zone for the tie.
With the score knotted up 14-14 in the second quarter (9:54), both teams had the same shot at claiming momentum before returning to their locker rooms. McAllen would take the initiative on their final drive of the half when Hover tossed a jump-ball into the left side of the end zone for Cole Yarto (49 yards receiving and 2 TDs) to catch. The slender 6’2” receiver out leaped his defender and came down with the ball and the 20-14 lead.
“I think it showed the heart of our team,” Hover said. “We just kept fighting for that lead.”
The big number for the Warriors in the half wasn’t the 140 yards and two touchdowns thrown by Obregon – although that was more than impressive. It was the 60 yards Rowe gave up on penalties alone. The penalties on both the offense and defense would continue to be an issue throughout the game, and Reyes was visibly disturbed by the amount of free yards his squad was giving away.
The legend of Fred Hover (keep telling yourself he’s just a sophomore) will undoubtedly include the incredible 49-yard rumble for a touchdown on the first play of the third quarter against Rowe. He broke at least three tackles and zipped through several levels of defenders before planting his foot on yellow pay dirt.
“I just kept my feet moving and made something happen,” the young quarterback said. “I owe a lot of that to my linemen who open up those holes and give me the ability to run.”
What may not be recounted in the tail is senior Roman Silva’s kickoff return that placed the ball inside Warrior territory to start the second half. Another special teams misstep gave Hover a short field and he made Rowe pay for it as the Bulldogs jumped to a 27-14 lead.
Obregon, however, would return the favor in quick order when he threw a pass up the middle of the field to Eric Perez for a 32-yard touchdown. The scoreboard had changed twice in a minute and two seconds and it looked like the scoring seesaw would continue until the final whistle.
But that would be the last time the Warriors would get close to the end zone as the Bulldogs’ defense kept Obregon and the rest of the Rowe offense to 38 yards for the rest of the game.
McHi, on the other hand, would score twice on another acrobatic catch by Yarto and a six-yard rushing touchdown by senior tight end Garrett Thomas.
“It’s great to have security blankets everywhere,” said Hover about his receivers. “You know I don’t have just one guy. I have multiple guys I can depend on in any situation, and if it does break down the line gives me a chance to use my feet a little.”
The Bulldogs will now face PSJA North as McAllen’s home team during Week 3. They will undoubtedly look to continue the string of early wins and improve as the season progresses.
“This win feels amazing,” senior safety Cantu said. “But we have to keep doing what we’re doing and keep practicing and treating every game like a playoff game. PSJA North is a tough team.”
On to Week 3.
956Sports numbers of the game:
McHi converted 5/7 fourth down situations.
Bulldogs converted 17 first downs.
Hover was sacked twice on 34 pass attempts.
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Hover’s Heroes: McHi defeats Rowe in district opener
By Reynaldo Leal
Twitter: @reynaldolealjr
The McAllen Bulldogs remained unbeaten and started their 31-5A district run with a strong 40-21 showing against in-town rivals Nikki Rowe.
McAllen, who played the role of visitor despite being a few hundred feet from their campus, drew first blood when sophomore QB sensation Fred Hover (307 total yards, 3 passing TDs and 1 rush TD) connected with Phillip Cantu for a 14-yard touchdown pass half way through the first quarter.
The Warriors had punted away their first drive, and fell behind 7-0 early, before Javi Obregon (17/26 for 212 yards passing and 3TDs) hooked up with Adrian Salazar (148 yards receiving on 5 catches) on two consecutive drives. The 64 and 59-yard touchdown passes gave Rowe a 14-7 lead with 11:51 left in the half.
“We were playing solid offensively and solid defensively,” said McHi coach Tony Harris, “and then they hit us on two. We busted the coverage and that happens.”
The momentum belonged to Rowe for the time being, but Harris said he told his team to just play the next play and everything would be fine. There was still plenty of game left and opportunities would present themselves eventually.
The opportunity to even the score, and erase the two defensive mistakes, appeared when Coach Paul Reyes decided to try to catch the ‘Dogs off guard with an ill fated onside-kick. The failed attempt squirted forward nine yards and gave Hover and company a short 44-yard field, with plenty of time in the half.
A six-play drive (plus a 15-yard personal foul credited to the Rowe defense) put McHi within one yard of the equalizer. Ricky Rodriguez (77 yards on 16 carries) then made it look easy as he walked the ball past the enormous Bulldog offensive line and into the end zone for the tie.
With the score knotted up 14-14 in the second quarter (9:54), both teams had the same shot at claiming momentum before returning to their locker rooms. McAllen would take the initiative on their final drive of the half when Hover tossed a jump-ball into the left side of the end zone for Cole Yarto (49 yards receiving and 2 TDs) to catch. The slender 6’2” receiver out leaped his defender and came down with the ball and the 20-14 lead.
“I think it showed the heart of our team,” Hover said. “We just kept fighting for that lead.”
The big number for the Warriors in the half wasn’t the 140 yards and two touchdowns thrown by Obregon – although that was more than impressive. It was the 60 yards Rowe gave up on penalties alone. The penalties on both the offense and defense would continue to be an issue throughout the game, and Reyes was visibly disturbed by the amount of free yards his squad was giving away.
The legend of Fred Hover (keep telling yourself he’s just a sophomore) will undoubtedly include the incredible 49-yard rumble for a touchdown on the first play of the third quarter against Rowe. He broke at least three tackles and zipped through several levels of defenders before planting his foot on yellow pay dirt.
“I just kept my feet moving and made something happen,” the young quarterback said. “I owe a lot of that to my linemen who open up those holes and give me the ability to run.”
What may not be recounted in the tail is senior Roman Silva’s kickoff return that placed the ball inside Warrior territory to start the second half. Another special teams misstep gave Hover a short field and he made Rowe pay for it as the Bulldogs jumped to a 27-14 lead.
Obregon, however, would return the favor in quick order when he threw a pass up the middle of the field to Eric Perez for a 32-yard touchdown. The scoreboard had changed twice in a minute and two seconds and it looked like the scoring seesaw would continue until the final whistle.
But that would be the last time the Warriors would get close to the end zone as the Bulldogs’ defense kept Obregon and the rest of the Rowe offense to 38 yards for the rest of the game.
McHi, on the other hand, would score twice on another acrobatic catch by Yarto and a six-yard rushing touchdown by senior tight end Garrett Thomas.
“It’s great to have security blankets everywhere,” said Hover about his receivers. “You know I don’t have just one guy. I have multiple guys I can depend on in any situation, and if it does break down the line gives me a chance to use my feet a little.”
The Bulldogs will now face PSJA North as McAllen’s home team during Week 3. They will undoubtedly look to continue the string of early wins and improve as the season progresses.
“This win feels amazing,” senior safety Cantu said. “But we have to keep doing what we’re doing and keep practicing and treating every game like a playoff game. PSJA North is a tough team.”
On to Week 3.
956Sports numbers of the game:
McHi converted 5/7 fourth down situations.
Bulldogs converted 17 first downs.
Hover was sacked twice on 34 pass attempts.
