EC JUNIOR VARSITY AND FRESHMAN FOOTBALL REPORT

El Campo's junior varsity and freshman football teams each played in some good matches against Victoria Thursday.

The sub-varsity squads played very competitive ball in their outings with the Vipers.

Junior Varsity Team

El Campo handled Victoria well and almost made the game seem easy.

With scores in every quarter, El Campo dominated the Vipers for a 37- 14 win.

The Ricebirds moved ahead with a quick score in the first quarter.

Nick Martinez came through with a big block during a Viper punt. Gerard Marcaurele scooped up the live ball and returned it all the way into the end zone for a touchdown.

El Campo missed on the extra point, but still led 6-0.

Victoria managed a touchdown in the second quarter, but two more scores by the 'Birds put El Campo at a major advantage.

The Ricebirds second touchdown of the night came from a great Martinez run. He broke free for a 40-yard touchdown run and doubled the Ricebirds' score.

Dymanic Richardson ran for the next touchdown on a reverse.

He took the ball 43-yards into the end zone in a great play.

At the half, El Campo had an 18-6 lead, but there was more Ricebird scoring to come.

After moving the ball deep into Viper territory, Jamall Jones ran in for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Ricebirds a 24-6 lead.

El Campo scored two more times to take a major lead in the fourth quarter.

Travis Acosta ran in on a 5-yard quarterback sneak and Holden Whitley came through with the extra point to give the Ricebirds 31 total points.

The second score came on another run by Acosta, but this one was much longer.

Acosta took the ball on a quarterback keeper and with a burst of speed, ran for a 30-yard touchdown.

One Victoria score and 2-point conversion cut El Campo's lead, but the Ricebirds still came away with a huge win at 37-14.

The junior varsity team is 2-1 on the season after defeating the Vipers and will play in Wharton against the Tigers Thursday.

Freshman Red Team

The Ricebirds overcame an early Viper score to come away with a 14-7 win.

Victoria made the first touchdown of the night on an 8-yard run in the second quarter. The extra point put the Vipers ahead 7-0, but thanks to the strong El Campo defense, it was the last time they scored all night.

El Campo responded with a touchdown 2 minutes before the end of the first half.

Andrew Catete finished the Ricebirds' drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. The extra point failed and El Campo trailed 7-6 at halftime.

The third quarter was tough for both teams. Neither squad could get past the opposing defense until late in the fourth quarter, when the 'Birds struck again.

The Ricebird defense came through to change the game up with 5 minutes remaining in the game.

A.J. Owens made an interception on a halfback pitch and returned the ball to Viper territory.

Catete completed the turnaround and ran 4 yards for his second touchdown of the night to give El Campo the lead. For a little game insurance,

Stephen Anderson ran in the 2-point conversion and the Ricebirds had the lead 14-7.

El Campo's defense held strong until the game clock expired, earning them a nice win.

Catete led the 'Birds in rushing with 115 yards on 11 carries and Anderson finished second with 12 carries for 87 yards.

Shaquille Edwards was the top receiver on the night. He caught 1 pass for 23 yards.

Rosalino Salgado led the defense with 8 tackles while Anderson made 7, Ethan Kinder made 5, Anthony Luna and Travell Kimble both had 4 and Mario Arismendez made 3 tackles.

El Campo grabbed three Victoria turnovers on the night. Catete and Kimble came up with one fumble while Owens grabbed an interception.

Up next for the Freshman Red squad is Wharton.

Freshman White Team

The Ricebirds fell 14-6 in a close match with the Vipers.

A few early mistakes helped Victoria move to a 14-0 lead early in the game.

Victoria returned a punt 65 yards in the first quarter. The Vipers ran for their next touchdown from 2 yards out in the second quarter to move ahead 14-0.

The Ricebirds played their best ball in the second half.

Determined to not become overwhelmed by Victoria's lead, the defense stepped up in a strong way. They came together to not allow another score by the Vipers.

El Campo's great defensive presence in the second half seemed to spread to the offensive side of the ball. The Ricebirds showed great determination in making a nice drive in the fourth quarter to finish the game on a positive note.

Bryan Moreno and Trey Krpec finished off El Campo's drive through the air.

Krpec saw Moreno open down the field and heaved the ball his way. Moreno came up with a nice catch to complete the 24-yard passing play for a touchdown.

With that play, the Ricebirds made the score 14-6 before the game ended.

Bryan Montalvo was the leading rusher for the Ricebirds with 10 carries for 55 yards.

Krpec competed 3 of 4 passes on the night for 50 yards.

Montalvo was the leading receiver with 2 receptions for 26 yards while Moreno caught a pass for 24 yards and George Olsovsky made a grab for 23 yards.

The Freshman White team will play their next game Thursday against Victoria St. Joe.