Prairie Lea claims crucial win at Benavides

LPR staff

BENAVIDES – In the biggest game Prairie Lea has played in well over a half-century, the Indians met the challenge, crushing Benavides 64-14 (the game ended in the third quarter due to 6-man football 46-point lead rule).

The victory over the Eagles at their home stadium was huge for Prairie Lea, knocking off a team it figured to be the toughest challenger in the 3-team district. Prairie Lea is trying to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time in 81 seasons, the longest postseason football drought in all of Texas.

“We took ownership Friday night and played as a complete team,” Prairie Lea Head Coach Steven Brown said. “After the Homecoming game (a Prairie Lea loss to Leander Founders), we had to bonce back. We bounced back.”

The Indians still have Runge (3-5, 1-0) at home Friday and a visit to Knippa (1-6, 0-1) next week before the playoff drought is decided.

Benavides had beaten Prairie Lea 53-20 last season at Indian Field, but PLHS left little doubt as it raced out to a 58-14 lead at the half.

The Indians scored first on the first of 8 touchdowns by Jimmy Soberanes. He returned the opening kickoff 60 yards for a score. Lane Fiscus booted the 2-point extra point for an 8-0 lead.

Edwin Canepa caused a Benavides fumble and recovered it to set up a 2-yard run to pay dirt for Soberanes and a 14-0 lead.

Benavides got on the board when they sacked Prairie Lea in the end zone for a safety, trailing 14-2.

However, Joe Zapata recovered another Prairie Lea fumble, and Soberanes soon followed with a 26-yard run and a 20-2 advantage to end the first-quarter scoring.

Prairie Lea’s defense came through yet again early in the second quarter when Jesus Perez recovered a fumble.

Soberanes soon followed with a 16-yard run, followed by Lane Fiscus’ kick and a 28-2 lead

The only non-Soberanes touchdown for the Indians happened when Gabriel Garcia recovered a Benavides fumble in the end zone. Lane Fiscus booted the extra points for a 36-2 lead.

Benavides scored quickly in the second half to cut its deficit to 36-8, but the Indians didn’t let up, taking a 44-8 lead as Soberanes scored on a 9-yard run, followed by Lane Fiscus kick.

Benavides broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run to make it 44-14, but Soberanes added a 31-yard run for a score, and topped it off with a 38-yard TD run for the final margin.

“It was just a night where Jimmy was destined to get in the end zone,” Brown said. “I’ve never seen him run that hard before.”

Soberanes finished with 180 yards rushing on 12 attempts, scoring seven touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a score. Lane Fiscus carried 8 times for 51 yards.

Defensively, Zapata led the way for Prairie Lea with 11 tackles, followed by Canepa with 4, Perez, Lane Fiscus and Brayden Fiscus with 3 each.

Brown said his team took it personal and felt disrespected that they had been chosen for the Benavides homecoming game.

“I told the guys that if they play like they did Friday night they will be hard to beat,” Brown said.

Prairie Lea welcomes the Runge Yellowjackets Friday to Indians Field in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

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1A 6-Man District 16

Standings

Prairie Lea 6-2 1-0

Runge 3-5 1-0

Knippa 1-6 0-1

Benavides 4-4 0-1

Last week’s scores

Prairie Lea 64, Benavides 14

Runge 62, Knippa 24

This week’s games

Runge at Prairie Lea

Benavides at Knippa