Last weekend the Del Rio Rams played against the Laredo United Longhorns. They tried their best and played a good game but unfortunately they came up short. The score was 24-16.

There was six seconds remaining in the game and John Steed, at the Laredo United 2-yard line, took the handoff and ran toward the end zone. The Longhorns defense met Steed just past the line of scrimmage and despite his attempts, he lost control of the ball and it went tumbling into the end zone. The Longhorns recovered the ball and it seemed like the game was over right then and there, but the Del Rio coaches were sure Steed had either scored or the Rams would have time for one more play. Sadly, Steed was ruled down at the one yard-line and the game was over. The Rams experienced their first defeat in District 29-5A.

The Rams have a chance to win to win district all they have to do is win their next two games.

The first quarter of the game was a defensive struggle. The Longhorns had to punt their first possession after the sack by Colton Fonderon and Ethan Durham and the incomplete pass by Tony Salas which was forced by the pressure of Johnny Sanders. The Rams picked up their first down in the second quarter when Victor Garcia picked up four yards on a third-and-four. Del Rio’s offense was stalled. Ty Fonderon was sent on to punt back to the Longhorns.

Laredo United moved in on Del Rio on a 24-yard pass from Salas to Velasquez. Two plays later Gomez punted the ball out of bounds, so the Rams started at their own 26. The Longhorns had a first down at Del Rio’s 30. The Longhorns were forced to attempt a 47-yard field goal. Dominguez’s kick split the up rights and that gave United a 17-0 lead.

United got the ball starting the second half of the game and they wasted little time adding to their lead. Facing the biggest deficit this season the Rams’ offense finally began to click. Del Rio got a first down because of three runs by Garcia. Him and Josh Washington ran behind the Rams’ offensive line and left Del Rio with a 3^rd-and-3 at the Laredo 26. A couple of plays later Laredo punted and Del Rio started its next drive at their own 38. The Rams quickly moved down the field. Lineman Jesse Adams was cut down and stayed on the turf. He was helped to the sidelines and didn’t return to finish the game. Del Rio was able to hold the Longhorns to a 3^rd-and-3, but the Rams were flagged for an encroachment penalty. Longhorns were given a first down. The Rams burned their final timeout and had first-and-goal with 21 seconds remaining in the game. Michael Wancho hurried the Rams back to the line, and spiked the ball to stop the clock. There was 6.3 seconds remaining. Then came the toss to Steed to the left, he tried to fight through the Longhorn defenders bit his knee hit the ground before he reached the end zone and the officials declared the game over.

Del Rio’s next game will be October 31^st at Southwest at 7:30 p.m.