FRISCO -- Paris (9-3) was able to keep pace with Waco La Vega (10-2) early in the game, but the Pirates proved to be too much on Thursday night at the Ford Center, taking down the Wildcats 38-20 in a very physical, run-heavy game.
The Pirates led just 10-7 at the half but kicked it into another gear after the intermission, outscoring the Wildcats 28-13.
“I just told our kids at halftime that the most mentally tough team will win this game and we came out and did that,” La Vega head coach Don Hyde said. “Paris is one heck of a football team. They are very well coached and a great overall team.”
La Vega running back John Richards led the Pirate offense and his big frame allowed him to barrel down Paris’ defenders. The Pirates got the ball to Richards 16 times and the feature back accumulated 178 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s just so hard to tackle. He sticks four and then the next thing you know he’s gone for 20,” Hyde said. “He’s such a hard runner and we’re so glad to have him on this football team.”
A big component of La Vega’s success on offense was due to their ability to manage the game with developing quarterback Ara Rauls at the helm. Rauls threw for 173 passing yards but what stood out to Hyde was his ability to lead the offense.
“He’s doing a fabulous job of doing what we’re asking him to do which is just to manage the game for us.”
With the win, the Pirates will now move to the 4A Region II Final where they will face the winner of Celina-Argyle which will be decided tomorrow night. That game will be played at Midlothian ISD Stadium. Hyde said that he will begin preparations for that game tomorrow night as he scouts the Celina-Argyle game.
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