HIDALGO — Raymondville’s Hunter Posas hadn’t started behind center since his freshman year, primarily seeing action at linebacker and running back at the varsity level while serving as the team’s backup.
An unexpected illness to starting quarterback Diego Gutierrez changed that, thrusting Posas into a starting role midweek, just two days prior to Friday’s non-district clash against Hidalgo.
Posas made the most of his first career varsity start, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another to take down then-undefeated Hidalgo 28-13 on Friday at Bill Pate Stadium in Hidalgo.
“It was a phenomenal win coming off after a 1-2 record,” Posas said. “It was just phenomenal. My team came out and showed out. Our starting quarterback got hurt and I had to step up. I’m very proud of these boys. I started taking those reps Wednesday and started executing in practice, and we came out and turned it into a win.”
Posas, who was primarily used as a running option from his backup quarterback spot, displayed his passing ability, completing 6-of-12 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
He added 13 carries for 65 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown run with 3:57 left to seal the Bearkats victory.
“He’s amazing, just incredible,” Raymondville head coach Frank Cantu said. “He runs over people. He’s just all heart. He had been a backup. He was our third-string last year but didn’t really see anything. We have him at running back, but this year we said we needed to get him some reps because he’s the next best guy that we have. You just never know. Tonight, we called his number and he answered.”
The Bearkats’ offense got off to a slow start, punting on their opening possession. The punt led to seven points for the Pirates, taking the lead on an 18-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Anthony Nava to Damian Carbajal.
The lead was short-lived, however, with sophomore Ethan Barnhart running back the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for the game-tying score.
“That was humongous because it made us feel we were right back in this,” Cantu said. “From there it was back to 0-0. We weren’t behind anymore and got momentum. I think that was the big play of the game.”
The play sparked a 21-0 run by the Bearkats, with Posas throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass to Robles with 10 seconds left in the half, followed by a 57-yard lob in stride to Robles for another score to start the third.
The Pirates chipped away at the lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by Nava, but that’s as close as they got, with the Bearkats snapping Hidalgo’s three-game winning streak and handing it its first loss of the year.
Nava finished the night 5-of-10 for 85 yards, adding 11 carries for 32 yards and a score. Hidalgo junior running back Enrique Hernandez led all rushers, carrying the ball 16 times for 75 yards.
The Pirates (3-1, 0-0) get a bye week before opening league play against Zapata (2-1, 0-0) on Sept. 30 at Bill Pate Stadium in Hidalgo. The Bearkats (2-2, 0-0) return home for a non-district tilt against Ingleside (2-1, 0-0) next Friday at Burnett Stadium in Raymondville.
