Parkland Cruises Over Bowie for a Bi-District Championship

The unbeaten Parkland Matadors put their unblemished 10-0 record on the line against Bowie at Matador Stadium on a crisp, cool mid November evening in northeast El Paso.  The Bear's competitive squad who fought hard all season long, enabled them to stay with the high-flying Matadors for a half, but in the end, Parkland prevailed in a route, 64-28.

Bowie came out with a vengeance and showed Parkland that they belonged in this game as running back Willie Carrasco took the opening carry from scrimmage 72-yards for a stunning touchdown to give the Bears an early 7-0 advantage.  Parkland would answer right back on their first possession of the game as QB Gabe Herrera found Jesus Sandoval for a game-tying score.

Bowie would take a 14-7 lead on another Carrasco touchdown run and Parkland would again tie up the contest just before the first quarter expired as running back Esteban Hernandez, who was just called up from the JV team, ran it in from 4-yards out.  The teams would trade scores in the second quarter before Parkland took a 36-21 lead into the half thanks to a couple of quick strikes to Donta Hayes and Dywane Ford Jr.

In the second half the Matadors were relentless offensively by putting up nearly 30 more points en route to their second consecutive Bi-District championship.  For the Matadors, QB Gabe Herrera had an incredible game by going 17 of 26 for 365 yards, and threw 5 touchdowns with one lone interceptions.  Herrera now has thrown for over 3,000 yards this season, to go along with a whopping 46 passing TD's.  Sophomore sensation Esteban Hernandez had 17 carries for 191 yards and 4 TD's.

Parkland, who's now 11-0 on the season, will next travel to Midland to face Wichita Falls in the Area round either next Friday or Saturday.  Bowie concluded their season with a 6-5 record and their star of the evening was RB Willie Carrasco, who gained 135 yards on 20 carries to go along with 3 touchdowns.