Beeville advances to area round with bi-district win against La Feria

Victor Gonzales knew Beeville could be a playoff team despite the Trojans finishing 0-5 in district last season.

Even when injuries plagued the team throughout the season, Gonzales never lost hope in his coaches and the players around him.

"Last season was such a rough season, but there were games I know we could have won," Gonzales said. "This year we were able to pull through in my senior year and these guys have played their hearts out."

Gonzales was named the starting quarterback at the start of the season and passed for more than 900 yards during the regular season.

His success carried over into the postseason by passing for 201 yards and three touchdowns in the Trojans' 42-35 bi-district win against La Feria on Friday at Cabaniness Multipurpose Stadium.

Gonzales' big night and three more touchdowns from running back Isaiah Gonzales helped Beeville win its first playoff game since 2019 and advance to the area round to play the winner of Friday's game between Lampasas and Pleasanton.

"Last year was a tough year," said Beeville coach Chris Soza. "We went 10-1 the year before and last year we went 2-8. Nobody gave us a chance this year, and we won key games when we had to and came together."

Beeville led by as many as 21 points before the Lions mounted their comeback.

The Trojans scored a key touchdown with five seconds remaining in the second quarter on a 10-yard pass from Victor Gonzales to Caleb Washington.

"That was a great catch," Soza said. " A great throw by our quarterback and we needed it with five seconds left in the half. They came back on us and we didn't give up. We won and we get to live for another week. I'm proud of these boys."

Friday's game against the Lions was the second meeting between the two teams.

Soza said it's hard to beat the same team twice, but was proud of his team's effort to hold off the Lions' second half comeback.

The touchdown by Washington late in the second half proved to be the difference after La Feria outscored Beeville 28-14 in the final two quarters.

"The kids played well and we beat a good team in La Feria," Soza said. "We beat them earlier this year, but it's hard to beat a good team twice. They came out in the second half and our kids pulled through when we had to."

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

CLASS 4A DIVISION I BI-DISTRICT

BEEVILLE 42, LA FERIA 35

What this game means: Beeville is victorious against La Feria for the second time this season after winning a non-district game against the Lions in Week 5. The Trojans advance to the area round for the first time since 2019 to play the winner of the Pleasanton-Lampasas game scheduled for Friday. Both of the Lions' losses this season have come against the Trojans. Beeville improves to 5-6 on the year.

Thursday's highlights: Beeville struck early and often in the first half, including 14 points in the first two quarters to take a 28-7 halftime lead. Isaiah Gonzales scored the game's first points on a 10-yard run and Cade Elder made it 14-0 on a 5-yard carry. Beeville stopped La Feria three times on fourth down and recorded an interception by Gavin Corpus early in the second quarter. The interception by Corpus led to a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Victor Gonzales to Colin Gomez. La Feria scored its first points on a 6-yard run by Zion Dickerson. Caleb Washington caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Victor Gonzales with five seconds remaining in the first half to extend the Trojans' lead. The Lions answered with a 14-point third quarter on another touchdown run by Dickerson and a 12-yard carry by quarterback Aaron Trevino. The Trojans responded with a 4-yard pitch from Victor Gonzales to Isaiah Gonzales to cap a seven play, 60-yard drive. Edward Brako recorded Beeville's second interception and Isaiah Gonzales caught Beeville's final touchdown and his third of the game on a 17-yard pass from Victor Gonzales after the La Feria turnover. La Feria added two touchdowns with five minutes left on passes of 46 and 20 from Trevino to Brandon Villanueva.

Thursday's stars: Beeville quarterback Victor Gonzales passed for 201 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 61 yards to lead the Trojans offensively. Isaiah Gonzales caught four passes for 108 yards and ran for 42 yards and scored three touchdowns. Trey Barefield had 13 carries for 78 yards. Gomez caught two passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. Matthew Casas caught three passes for 48 yards and Darion Perez had six carries for 52 yards. La Feria quarterback Trevino led the Lions with 98 passing yards and 46 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown and two touchdown passes. Dickerson ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

Next: Beeville vs. Lampasas-Pleasanton winner in a Class 4A area round matchup, TBA.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Beeville Trojans advances to area round with bi-district win