PSJA North comes up short in area round against New Braunfels

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CORPUS CHRISTI — The PSJA North Raiders went down swinging 35-32 against the New Braunfels Unicorns in their Region IV-5A DI final Friday at Phil Danaher Stadium in Corpus Christi.

PSJA North’s season ends at 10-2 overall, while New Braunfels improves to 9-3 and advances to next week’s regional semifinal against Smithson Valley. The Raiders’ two losses this season came on a one-point defeat against Corpus Christi Flour Bluff in Week 10 and Friday night’s three-point defeat against New Braunfels.

“This group of seniors, I love them, they did a great job. They taught the kids how to play for Raider Nation instead of themselves,” PSJA North head coach Marcus Kaufmann said. “They did a great job of making it about the team and hopefully it carries on to next year. We just have to learn how to win close ball games. We lost two games by a combined four points. It sucks, but it’s a learning experience for the younger guys. It was a fun ball game for everybody else, but it kinda hurts right now.”

The game had a back-and-forth feel for all four quarters as the Raiders and Unicorns exchanged big-play for big-play and scoring drive for scoring drive until the final minute.

PSJA North quarterback Daren Garcia scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown on a sprint to the left front pylon to put the Raiders up 32-27 with 7:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, but a two-point try to make it a seven-point game was stopped short.

New Braunfels responded by moving the ball across midfield on the ensuing possession before a deep pass down the right sideline by quarterback Clayton Namken was intercepted inside the 5-yard line by PSJA North defensive back Bryan Guerrero.

PSJA North picked up nine yards on three plays and kept its offense on the field for a 4th-and-1 at their own 14-yard line but were forced to punt the ball away after a false start.

The Unicorns took advantage of a short field to set up a pop pass from athlete Cole Redding to tight end Lyric Lalley on 4th-and-goal at the 1-yard line for the go-ahead touchdown, followed by a successful two-point try to make it a 35-32 game with 55 seconds remaining.

The Raiders completed two passes to get past midfield with time winding down, but an incomplete deep ball as time expired ended the contest with the Unicorns on top.

A pair of missed extra points and an unsuccessful two-point conversion from the Raiders proved costly down the stretch.

Garcia led PSJA North with three rushing touchdowns, while fullback Andrew Alvarado and running back Ethan Guerra scored one apiece.

PSJA North graduates some key pieces on both sides of the ball but will return playmakers eager to bounce back after this year’s area round playoff exit.

“Our season is over but I can guarantee you we’ll be in the weight room working harder than ever,” Garcia said.

The 10-2 finish from the Raiders is their fourth straight season with 10 or more wins and third-consecutive season winning a district title.

PSJA North senior linebacker Jesse Montez, who was one of two four-year starters on the squad along with linebacker Steven Garza, finishes his high school football career with eight playoff victories and helped the Raiders establish themselves as a power among South Texas programs.

“At the end of the day, it was a pleasure to play with this group of players and coaches. It was a good run,” he said.

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