File Photo above: Edinburg Vela running back Jamal Polley takes the handoff and runs through a huge hole for the first down against Weslaco East on Sept. 8 at Bobby Lackey Stadium. Jason Breeden/Special to the Monitor.
McALLEN — Edinburg Vela’s start to its Region IV-5A Division I bi-district playoff game against Weslaco East was less than ideal.
The SaberCats fumbled the opening kickoff, and East capitalized for an easy three points. Vela’s next possession began with a 16-yard loss due to an errant snap.
From that point on, the SaberCats leaned on their offensive line and running back Jamal Polley.
The junior ran for 283 yards and four touchdowns to help lift the SaberCats over the Wildcats 49-3 on Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“When things aren’t going really well, you’ve got to establish the run game. I think Jamal and the offensive line kind of gives you some comfort, creates some momentum in your favor, obviously pop some long runs, and that’s kind of what ends up blowing the game open,” Edinburg Vela head coach John Campbell said.
The SaberCats (10-1) will face Corpus Christi Veterans (9-2) in the area round next week. Weslaco East’s season ends at 6-5 overall and as tri-district champions from 16-5A DI.
Polley posted touchdown runs from 3, 57, 58 and 36 yards. He also had a 31-yard catch that erased a third-and-22 during the first quarter.
“The coaches believed in me and I’m grateful for that, and the O-line stepped it up,” Polley said.
Vela made up for the early turnover by forcing four of its own. AJ Moreno had two interceptions, Ryan Botello recovered a fumble and Derek Rodriguez delivered a pick-six after jumping an out route during the third quarter.
“I had a rough first half, and all I wanted was to come out and do something good for the team. Came out, read it like a book, picked it off and glory from there,” Rodriguez said.
Botello’s fumble recovery came on the opening possession of the second half and hurt East’s chances as it set up the SaberCats at the 1-yard line. Quarterback Bobby Garcia punched in a touchdown run on the next play.
“It was our hard work at practice. Our coaches pushed us, and we just kept our foot on the pedal during the second half and only allowed them to three. That’s some great defense if you ask me,” Botello said.
Vela’s Garcia finished with a touchdown run and a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jaxson Shupe, who side-stepped a defender on his way to the end zone.
East was led by quarterback Ashton Guajardo and receiver Jay Vasquez.
Edinburg Vela moves on to the area round for the sixth consecutive season, all of which have come with Campbell at the helm. The SaberCats will collide with Corpus Christi Veterans in Round 2. Game details are to be determined.
Corpus Christi Veterans finished as the District 14-5A DI champions and beat Medina Valley 70-14 on Thursday to set up the game against Vela.
“We can’t play the first half that we played in this game and expect to come away with a victory against those guys,” Campbell said. “They’re very well-coached. They do a heck of a job in the special teams unit. Very dynamic quarterback, so we’re going to have our work cut out for us, but that’s the way it’s supposed to be in the second round of the playoffs. You’re supposed to be playing your best football, so we need to get back in the office tomorrow, correct our mistakes, have a good week of work next week and get out there and compete next Friday.”
