Chris Soza wins 200th game as Beeville edges Calallen to advance in UIL football playoffs
Beeville head coach Chris Soza couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present or scripted a better result to Friday’s Class 4A Division I bi-district game against Calallen.
The Trojans' defense held off a Calallen surge in the fourth quarter to capture a 27-25 win to give Soza his 200th career victory and punch Beeville’s ticket to the area round for the first time since 2021.
It was the first bi-district loss for Calallen since 1989 after the program reached the playoffs for a record 39 consecutive seasons.
The Trojans' playoff win was also the third under Soza since rejoining the team ahead of the 2019 season.
Beeville will play San Antonio Davenport, a 62-14 winner against Fredericksburg in the area round.
Friday's highlights
The Trojans' running game went to work early and capped off an opening drive with a 21-yard touchdown run by Darion Perez. Beeville marched down field on its next possession and scored on a 1-yard run by Austin Arrendondo to take a 14-0 lead. Calallen's first score came on a 20-yard field goal by Ian Perez and its first touchdown came on a 2-yard run by quarterback Gilbert Garza. Both teams traded big plays twice in the second half with Elijah Sustaita extending Beeville's lead with a 52-yard touchdown run and Jude Hernandez answering for the Wildcats on a 62-yard score. Darion Perez scored his second touchdown on a 46-yard carry before Garza fired a 27-yard strike to Drayson Gamez. The Wildcats recovered a fumble in the final minutes, but Beeville's defense came up with key stops and a missed field goal by Calallen secured the Trojans' victory in the final minutes.
Friday's stars
Beeville's Darion Perez ran for a team-best 75 yards with two touchdowns with Austin Arredondo, Elijah Sustaita and Ryne Espinoza combining for 177 rushing yards and a touchdown to lead the Trojans. Jude Hernandez led Calallen with seven carries for 95 yards and a touchdown and Garza added 75 rushing yards with a touchdown and passed for a touchdown.
They said it
Beeville coach Chris Soza on winning his 200th career game and the team advancing to the second round: "I'm just so proud of the boys. We've had to overcome some adversity this year with a lot of injuries. We had a tough district and I'm just so proud of these boys for playing their butts off. I've been blessed with great coaches, great kids who listen. God has been good to me, more than I deserve and it's a great feeling. I told the boys this is what I wanted for my birthday."
Beeville senior Darion Perez on moving on setting the tone early: "It feels good. We've practiced and prepared all week. We wanted to beat these guys and get revenge. Everyone was all in this week."
Beeville's Austin Arredondo on the Trojans advancing to the second round: "It feels great. We came out as a team, we all worked as a team and we came out and played a good football game."
Calallen coach Steve Campbell on the Wildcats' 2023 season: "We fought and got back in the game. We just gave up too many big plays defensively. I wish I could have done a better job. These are great young people and they're going to go on with their lives and have big things happen in their lives."
Up next
Beeville vs. San Antonio Davenport in a Class 4A area round matchup, TBA
More: High school football playoffs: Stifling defense, big plays lead Alice past Rockport-Fulton
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Beeville advances to area round with win against Calallen
