Cowboys fall to Mathis in Area overtime game

    Edna Cowboys (8-4) lost in an Area match against the Mathis Pirates on Friday night with a final score of 39-37 in overtime. This was a hard loss for the 'Boys and fans alike.
    #11 Cade Orsak said  against a team like Mathis you have to make every play count. “We needed to execute better and eliminate the little mistakes,” he said. “As a team we did not play a clean enough game.”
    #76 Dylan Kallus said the team had a few mistakes that really hurt them. “We should have fought harder, but I’m proud of my boys in what we accomplished and I loved going out there and being with my brothers. Being an Edna Cowboy means everything to me, from the coaches, the community and most of all my brotherhood.”
    Mathis won the coin toss and waived to receive until the second half. In the first quarter both teams were getting a feel for each other. The Pirate defense was showing up and not letting the Cowboys through, but Edna did what they could to make it into Mathis territory. An unfortunate fumble from the 'Boys early on in the game caused the first drive to not go through to the end zone.
    In their second drive Edna attempted a 44-yard field goal, but it didn't make it across. Mathis was able to score soon after with 28 seconds left in the first and put six points on the scoreboard. Their point after attempt was no good.
    In the first quarter notable defensive stops and tackles were made by #44 AJ Garcia, #82 Tristen Pruitt, #29 Deion Callis, #2 Terek Dilworth, #12 Issac Shelton, and #20 Alvell Robinson.
    In the second quarter Edna found end zone ground. Quarterback #18 Landon O'Connor made some moves with #9 Jordan Norman and #9 Braveon Terrell. After a false start penalty on the Cowboys, #60 Aaron Padilla kicked a 23-yard field goal to give Edna three points and put themselves on the scoreboard, overall helping themselves get into overtime at the final buzzer.
    The Pirates responded all too quickly in getting the ball back and scored a touchdown with 8:59 left in the second quarter, plus a two-point conversion.
    In a little over a minute Edna did some work and with a quarterback keeper O'Connor was able to score the first touchdown for his team that night, with 7:47 left in the second. Padilla was good with the PAT and the new score was 14-10, Mathis.
    #7 Andrew Mathis, Pruitt, #78 Wyatt Neuman, Garcia and Robinson made good stops for their team in the previous drive.
    Soon after Mathis was called twice for false starts. Edna used that to their advantage and a beautiful pass between O'Connor and #6 Marquis Bates resulted in another Edna touchdown, with Padilla kicking the extra point. Cowboys took the lead, 17-14.
    #21 Daylin Haynes, Garcia, Robinson, Pruitt, Mathis made great defensive stops.
    The Pirates kicked for a field goal and tied the score up 17 all with minutes left on the board before halftime. Another Mathis touchdown was made with 22 seconds left in the second, and their PAT was no good.
    The halftime score was 23-17, Mathis.
    Immediately in the second half big stops were made by Cowboys #30 Jacob Balizan and #42 Wesley Boone. Orsak, Robinson, Shelton and Haynes also made good tackles for their team.
    The Pirates scored again with 6:24 left in the third, plus a two-point conversion. The new score was 31-17, Mathis.
    The 'Boys were not done making their mark. With 4:03 left in the third they responded with a field goal by Padilla for 24 yards. 31-20, still in the Pirates favor.
    #5 Zac Sample, Orsak, and Robinson made more big tackles for their team. #62 Sergio Vega recovered a Pirate fumble, but Edna couldn't find the end zone before the end of the third quarter.
    After Boone, Mathis, Vega and Robinson stopped more Pirates, Edna inched their way down the field once more. Terrell found the Mathis end zone and score a touchdown with 4:07 left in the game. O'Connor was able to make a pass to Bates which resulted in a two-point conversion, making the new score, 31-28, Mathis.
    #76 Dylan Kallus, Haynes, Boone and Robinson once more made big stops for their team.
    The clock was ticking down and the tension started to rise on the field and in the stands. WIth three seconds left, after attempting a touchdown, Padilla made a field gold to tie the score up 31 all, causing the game to go into overtime.
    Both teams were put at the 25-yard line to see if they could make a drive into the end zone. Mathis succeeded with a touchdown and their PAT had a flag called on that play, giving them another shot. Mathis made a two-point conversion, bringing the score to 39-31.
    It was Edna's turn to do some damage and also scored a touchdown to all the fan's delight. Terrell was just stopped short at Edna's attempt at a two-point conversion of their own, but couldn't make it across. The final score was 39-37, Mathis.
    Neuman said the problem was that the team couldn’t execute when it mattered the most. “To be a Cowboy this season meant to be the one who can accept the challenge and battle through adversity for our pride and family.”
    “Being a Cowboy meant giving everything you’ve got and to play for #50 (Noah Ortiz) every down, every second we play,” said #1 Matthew Aguirre.
    O’Connor said being a Cowboy is part of a family. “We all became brothers and were very close,” he said. “Sad to see it end.”