By: Iran Perez/MyUniversalSports.com

Photo by: Adrian Hernande

The Mission High Eagles dug themselves out of a second quarter 14-0 deficit to comeback in the final two minutes of the game to beat the Pace Vikings 21-14 on Saturday night at Sams Stadium in Brownsville.

With 2:41 left in the game Eagles senior quarterback Gilbert Gonzalez connected with receiver Justin Belton who broke off a couple of tackles to score the winning touchdown.

“I was motivated. I just wanted to win” said Belton.

Vikings Coach Rene Medrano knew it was a tough lose but also a measuring stick for district play in two weeks.

“This was tough but it’s a good way to see what we need to improve on. I like the bye week because we are a bit banged up and we can start building depth for the long haul.” said Medrano. “It’s tough to get our first loss but if you are going to lose this is a good team to lose to.”

Pace initiated the scoring on their second drive of the ballgame. The 18 play drive that started at the Vikings 9-yard line and took 5:50 from the clock was capped off by a one yard run by Sam Trejo with 11:56 left in the second quarter to make the score 7-0.

Mission and Pace would then trade possessions and on the Eagles ensuing possession Gonzalez threw into the hands of Vikings defender Josh Gonzalez and took the interception down to the Eagles 36 yard line. Six plays later Trejo would again punch it in for the score from 5-yards out and Pace took a 14-0 lead.

But Mission had no quit, on the Eagles ensuing drive starting on their own 20-yard line they would score but not before a 52-yard pass, an interception, and a takeaway.

On the first play of the drive Gonzalez would hook up with senior wide receiver Matt Meza for a 52-yard pass play and two plays later with 1:41 left in the first half Gonzalez threw an interception to Vikings cornerback Isaac Henderson but on the return Mission’s Frank Moreno would take it right back from Henderson’s hands and keep possession of the football. Two plays later the Eagles scored on a lob pass from Meza to Gonzalez on a streak right down the middle of the field with 1:36 left in the first half.

The touchdown made it 14-7 at halftime.

One lone score in the third quarter from Gonzalez to George Niño from 9-yards out tied it up at 14-14.

Mission’s skipper Mario Peña was glad with the big win versus Pace after a loss last week versus its cross-town rivals Mission Veterans.

“Last week we came out flat and didn't show up to play. All week long we challenged our defense to go up the #10 team in the Valley to redeem ourselves and show everyone we are better than a week ago.” said Peña. “It’s a great team victory. We now have two weeks to get ready for Palmview.”

Pace and Mission both have a bye week before starting district play in Week 4.  Mission will host La Joya Palmview Friday, September 24^th at 7:30 pm and Pace will host cross-town rival Brownsville Lopez Lobos Saturday, September 25^th at Sams Memorial Stadium, game is slated for a 7pm kickoff.