The Mavericks won the opening toss and deferred to the 2nd half. Their defense was able to hold , but so was the Eagle defense after what seemed to be a first down by Deion Alonso which was called back for a hold. Penalties plagued the entire game for both sides, but the ones that hurt the most were those that went against the home team. The Eagles had a short field to work with on their second possession and they took advantage.
On this third drive, the Eagles had a first down run by Jesse Sanchez then a swing pass to RJ Gomez for another first down, then a run up the middle by Carlos Villarreal set up a QB keeper by Ty Chisum for the first Eagle TD, the point after was good, 7-0 EP with 3:32 remaining in the opening quarter.
On the next drive, it seemed that the Eagles had scouted CC Winn so that they were not going to allow Deion Alonso to be a factor in this game, but on a two tight end set, Alonso broke a nine yard run and on a 4th and one from their side of the field, Cris Cantú broke off a significant gain on a handoff by Ricky Flores for the first down. The stop was made by Evan Gloria who came out of the game momentarily.
An illegal procedure penalty stalled this drive and the Mavs were forced to punt once again pinning the Eagles back on their own 10 yard line.
The Maverick defense stepped it up all night long thwarting Eagle drives and this was no exception as the Eagles three and outed, but a fabulous 63 yard punt pinned the Mavericks back and three consecutive illegal procedure penalties on fourth down dashed the Maverick fans' hopes as they were forced to punt from their endzone with 7:50 remaining in the half.
Eagle running back Oliver Cortez came through several times with big first down runs, but Ramiro Martinez of CC Winn was always there to keep the Eagles honest coming up with QB sacks and big stops when the Mavs needed them, even causing a fumble on what could've been a second scoring drive by Eagle Pass and Carlos Cerezo recovered it in the endzone to give the Mavericks life with 5:18 remaining in the second quarter.
On the ensuing drive Alonso broke off a seven yard gain and then another for a first down showing his athletic ability which was stifled by the Eagle defense, then Cris Cantú showed why the Mavericks can always look forward to showing up in these games as he broke a big run up the middle to the Eagle 49 for the first down, then again on a nine yard gain as Cantú shoed a resiliency and a determination which was a sight to see.
It was on the next set of downs that the Eagles blitzed and sacked Cantú causing him to come out of the game.
The half ended EP 7, Winn 0.
The Mavericks got the ball first against the wind in the third, but were unable to sustain the drive and punted to the Eagle 45.
It was on this drive that the eagles would expand their lead with a run by Carlos Villarreal up the middle for six, then a pitch to Cortez for two, a pass to Villarreal set the Eagles up at the Mav 21 for a first down, then it was #21 from the 21 for the Eagle touchdown. The PAT was no good.
The MAvericks would answer right back with a scoring drive of their own when "Neon" Deion Alonso would make his presence felt with a 40 yard kickoff return to the Eagle 40 yard line. An amazing show of determination and elusiveness as he was nearly tripped up twice and he kept his legs moving in a textbook display of running skill and balance with 8:22.
It was here when Cris Cantú broke an option keeper to the Eagle three yard line, Deion took it to the one and Cantú bulled his way in for the Maverick touchdown! Jonathan Cazares' extra point was high and through the center and the score was 13-7 with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter.
The rest of the game would be a game of field position and defensive stands with Steven Garcia, Juan Elizondo, Lupe Lopez and Ramiro Martinez coming through for the Mav defense but it was in the fourth quarter when the Mavericks got what they needed, a stop with 3:39 remaining in the game and the Mavericks could seal the deal with a dramatic come back at the end of the game. Cantú connected with Raul Tovar for a six yard gain, then again for a first down to the 32. Cantú kept it for a six yard gain then the yellow flags flew essentially killing the Mavericks hopes of making that comeback. A final ditch effort to get the ball to Alonso on a fly pattern fell about three yards out of reach and the Eagles came away with a 13-7 victory.