By EDWARD SEVERN

BROWNSVILLE — The Brownsville Pace Vikings easily defeated the Brownsville Lopez Lobos 41-14 on Friday night at Brownsville Veterans Memorial.

Both teams looked to open their District 16-5A Division I campaign with a win, but it was Pace (1-1, 1-0) that dominated proceedings early and often in the rout of the Lobos (0-2, 0-1).

Pace got in front early after a Lopez fumble set up the Vikings with great field position. Junior running back Ivan Gonzales punched it in for a touchdown from 3 yards out.

Pace Vikings running back Ivan Gonzalez (8) goes down under a group tackle by Lopez Lobos defense Friday during the non-district game between Pace Vikings and Lopez Lobos at Brownsville Veterans Memorial Stadium.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)

Pace’s defense came to play. Junior defensive back Andrew Gonzalez had an amazing one-handed interception for the Vikings’ defense, halting a good Lopez drive.

On the ensuing drive it was Gonzales again, this time from 51 yards out. Gonzales was not done during the half, scampering for another 41-yard touchdown up the middle. Pace took a 20-0 lead into the half.

Gonzales added on after halftime, this time with a 64-yard run off-tackle to the house. Gonzales was hardly touched when he broke free.

“I feel amazing, it was an amazing game and I could not have done without the offensive line,” Gonzales said after the four-touchdown performance. “They made great blocks, and we were able to win because of these great runs.”

Pace defensive linemen Kevin Garcia, Edward Guerrero and Ricardo Alvarez dominated the trenches and were constantly disrupting the Lobos’ offense.

Pace Vikings running back Ivan Gonzalez (8) dodges Lopez Lobos’ defense to head for a touchdown Friday during the non-district game between Pace Vikings and Lopez Lobos at Brownsville Veterans Memorial Stadium.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)

“They put in work all game,” said Gonzalez, a defensive playmaker. “They put me in position for my picks, they forced the quarterback to scramble, take risks, and I was there to make plays.”

Lopez finally capitalized on some of its big plays. A close run around the goal line cut the Pace lead to 34-7. A bad snap by Pace gave the Lobos great field position.

The Vikings put the game away early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Brandon Narvaez found his receiver Chase Morales for a 37-yard touchdown.

Pace Vikings running back Valiant Rodriguez (40) attempts to push away the incoming Lopez Lobos defense Friday during the non-district game between Pace Vikings and Lopez Lobos at Brownsville Veterans Memorial Stadium.(Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)

A blocked punt by Lopez helped set up its final score of the game. Lopez punched in another close run, making the score 34-14.

Another Gonzalez interception, this time for a touchdown, closed out an emphatic all-around win for Pace.

“We lost to Sharyland in a close game, but from here on we hope to win every game,” Gonzalez said about the win.

Pace will face Porter next Friday, and on Thursday night Lopez will travel to McAllen to take on Rowe.

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