San Diego holds off Llano to advance to first regional semifinal
SEGUIN –– San Diego needed an answer after Llano's Jackson Dillard scored off an interception to give the Yellowjackets their first lead with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.
In came sophomore Jason Salinas, who was named the game's most valuable player last week after the team's bi-district win against Orange Grove.
Salinas responded to the Dillard touchdown by running 75 yards for a touchdown on the Vaqueros' ensuing kickoff to give San Diego the lead for good.
James Ryan Rodriguez added a 53-yard touchdown run three minutes later to help lift the Vaqueros to a 35-27 Class 3A Division I area round win on Friday at Matador Stadium.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” Salinas said. "I was just trying to score and win it for my family. My mindset was about my family and playing with heart. When I scored, all I thought about was my family."
San Diego improved to 10-1 and advanced to the regional semifinals for the first time in program history to play Vanderbilt Industrial at 7 p.m. Friday at San Antonio Heroes Stadium.
The Cobras edged Poteet 14-13 in the other area round game.
"These boys set their goals early in the year and I told them they're a special group," said San Diego head coach Bo Ochoa. "We don't have that go-to guy –– we just try to spread the ball around. It's a special team and we have each other's back."
San Diego quarterback RJ Valerio continued his early postseason success by setting the tone with a 20-yard touchdown pass on fourth down in the first quarter. The Vaqueros led by as many as 13 points on a touchdown reception by Sean Maldanado and two touchdown runs by Valerio.
The Yellowjackets responded behind Carson Kuykendall, who scored two touchdowns and ran for a game-best 127 yards.
Valerio led San Diego with 82 passing yards and accounted for three touchdowns.
"It's a feeling I can't express," Valerio said. "To do something that has never been done is always a big accomplishment. I'm glad I did it with my brothers and I'm glad I get to spend thanksgiving with them."
The winner of next week's regional semifinal game will advance to the state quarterfinals to play either Edna or Lago Vista.
"It all starts tomorrow," Valerio said. "Everyone is going to show up to film and start game planning. We're going to work really hard."
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
CLASS 3A DIVISION I AREA
SAN DIEGO 35, LLANO 27
What this game means: San Diego advances to the regional round for the first time in program history to play Vanderbilt Industrial at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26 at San Antonio Heroes Stadium. The Vaqueros improve to 10-1 this season. Llano concludes its year at 8-3.
Friday's highlights: A 75-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jason Salinas in the fourth quarter gave San Diego the lead back for good. Salinas' heroics and a late touchdown run by James Ryan Rodriguez sealed the Vaqueros' area round win. Llano took its first lead seconds before Salinas' kickoff return after capitalizing on an interception. Quarterback RJ Valerio continued his postseason success by setting the tone offensively early for the Vaqueros. Valerio connected with Sean Maldanado for a 20-yard touchdown pass on San Diego's opening drive. The touchdown came on 4th and 20 after a penalty pushed the Vaqueros back from inside the 5-yard line. Valerio added two more rushing touchdowns on runs of two and five yards.
Friday's stars: Valerio passed for 98 yards with a touchdown and ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns. Maldanado caught four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown. Hector Gaza III caught five passes for 40 yards and Rodriguez added 53 yards on the ground. Salinas recaptured the lead for San Diego with a 75-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter. Kuykendall led Llano with 127 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Next: San Diego vs. Vanderbilt Industrial in a Class 3A Division I regional round matchup, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, San Antonio Heroes Stadium.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: San Diego Vaqueros holds off Llano to advance to first regional semifinal
