Villarreal leads Lobos to second consecutive win

Copyright 2014 Progress Times

Just two games into the 2014 season the Palmview Lobos have already doubled their win total from last year. After going 1-9 in 2013 the Lobos have opened 2014 with back-to-back wins over Brownsville Lopez last week and PSJA SW tonight to open the season at 2-0 for the first time since 2011.

While the final score was in the Lobos’ favor, the Javelinas opened the scoring on their very first play from scrimmage with an 81 yard touchdown pass that left the Lobos’ faithful stunned. However Palmview bounced back on their first drive which went 80 yards and was capped off with a 51 yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Andrew Puentes to senior wide receiver Rolando Ramos.

While their initial score was through the air, it was the Lobos’ running game that led Palmview to victory; in particular the running of senior running back Freddy Villarreal who carried the ball 37 times for 273 yards, three touchdowns and two two-point conversions. Jose Bernal contributed to Palmview’s impressive running attack as he carried the ball 14 times for 142 yards and one touchdown for the Lobos.

Besides the Javelinas’ opening 81 yard touchdown pass, they also had a 60 yard run and a 56 yard pass play for touchdowns.  Then with 6:32 left in the game PSJA SW took a 28-27 lead over the Lobos making it look as if they might pull out a win despite being outplayed all game. That was when Palmview drove the ball 73 yards in just under two and a half minutes for their final score of the night and their 35-28 victory.

After the game Palmview head football coach Mage Requenez commented on what his two running backs mean to his team.

“We knew that Freddy (Villarreal) was going to have a break-out season this year,” said Requenez. “Jose (Bernal) is our other workhorse so hopefully we’re going to be able to ride those two and carry this momentum throughout our remaining non-district schedule and into district play.”