LAREDO, Texas — November 5, 2026. Cigarroa High School secured its first football playoff berth in two decades Thursday night, defeating Roma 29–28 in a District 16-5A matchup decided in the closing minutes.
The Toros entered the season trying to reverse years of struggles, including three consecutive winless seasons. Under first-year head coach Benny Ellison, they finished the regular season 6–4 and earned their first postseason appearance since 2006.
A comeback with the season on the line
Roma held a 28–14 advantage at halftime, but Cigarroa’s defense and running game changed the contest after the break. Quarterback Israel Gonzalez helped bring the Toros back with two second-half rushing touchdowns. His 21-yard scoring run late in the fourth quarter, followed by a successful two-point conversion, put Cigarroa ahead 29–28.
The defense then preserved the lead. Rudy Huerta intercepted a Roma pass in the final minute, ending the Gladiators’ chance to answer and securing the playoff-clinching victory.
A milestone for Cigarroa football
Running back Carlos Aburto supplied a strong performance on the ground, while Gonzalez contributed both as a runner and passer. More important than any individual number was the turnaround: Cigarroa went from a prolonged losing stretch to a postseason berth in Ellison’s first year leading the program.
The win closed Cigarroa’s regular season at 6–4 and sent the Toros into the Texas high school football playoffs, ending a drought dating to 2006.
Sources: KGNS television; KGNS game follow-up; Laredo Morning Times game reporting. Some automated third-party score listings disagree with local reporting; this article uses the 29–28 final reported by local news organizations.
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