Dorados escape Sharks, Trigg

HIDALGO - Earlier this week Corpus Christi coach Michael Trigg said he wouldn't mind seeing the Rio Grande Valley Dorados lose the rest of their games this season.

His Sharks couldn't exactly back up his words as the Dorados turned Trigg's words into motivation to end a three-game skid.

Dorados quarterback Travis Cole found wide receiver Eddie Jackson for a 25-yard touchdown with no time left to propel RGV to 53-52 victory before an announced crowd of 4,022 Saturday at Dodge Arena in a game the Dorados were particularly fired up about after Trigg's remarks that RGV handles itself in a disrespectful manner.

"People are going to say what they want to say," Dorados quarterback Travis Cole said. "Some people take it personal, but I don't.

"(Trigg) can say what he wants but we won and now it looks like he shouldn't have said anything."

Trigg was not made available for comment.

The Dorados trailed 52-46 after Ivory McCann returned a kickoff for a 53-yard TD.

RGV got the ball back with 16.4 seconds left at the 5-yard line. Cole found Jackson at the 25-yard line with 10 seconds left.

On the next snap, Cole was forced to scramble and was falling on a spin out. On his way down, Cole threw the ball up for grabs in the end-zone where he found Jackson again to tie the game at 52 with no time left on the clock.

"I saw (Cole) running for his life over there," Jackson said. "I knew I had to make the play in order for us to win it.

"I don't think we never thought we were out of the game. This is an offensive game and we had to make plays there in the end."

Cole said he was confident throwing it up to the 6-foot-4 receiver.

"It was pretty much a jump ball," Cole said. "He's like 6-5. That's why we brought him here. I just put the ball in the air and he made the play."

Kicker Brain Hazelwood connected on the extra point to give the Dorados the thrilling win.

The Dorados looked as if they had control of the game after the Cole found Anthony Chambers (eight receptions for 156 yards, three TDs) for a 30-yard TD that gave RGV a 43-31 lead.

After the touchdown, Chambers ran over to the Sharks bench and had a few choice words for the Trigg.

"It wasn't pre-planed," Chambers said. "No disrespect to their coaching staff and team. I kind of let my excitement get to me, but I am not that type of person.

"I am not a player that likes to taunt the other team. I just let the excitement get to me."

The Sharks, however, mounted a comeback and eventually took the lead on the McCann return for a touchdown.

"I told the guys to fight for four quarters and give us a chance to win," Hammond said. "I don't think we should have been in that situation, but we were. I am just glad our guys were able to step up and make the plays."

Peter Rasmussen covers the Rio Grande Valley Dorados for the Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.