Del Valle Looks To Bounce Back After Their 15-7 Loss To Elgin
DEL VALLE, Texas — The Del Valle Cardinals' homecoming night ended in disappointment Friday as the Elgin Wildcats walked away with a hard-fought 15–7 victory at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The Sept. 18 matchup was a non-district contest between the two Central Texas programs, with Del Valle entering the night still searching for its first victory of the 2026 season. Instead, Elgin used a combination of timely offense and defensive resistance to hand the Cardinals their fourth consecutive loss to open the season.
For Del Valle, the loss dropped the Cardinals to 0–4 on the season. Elgin improved to 2–2 with the victory.
Wildcats Make Enough Plays to Win
Elgin's offense did not produce the type of high-scoring performance the Wildcats had displayed earlier in the season, but it generated enough production to keep Del Valle from finding an offensive rhythm.
According to the available game statistics, Elgin finished with 223 passing yards and 26 rushing yards. The Wildcats' passing production was particularly important in a game where points were difficult to come by.
Elgin entered the matchup averaging 177.5 passing yards per game and 76 rushing yards per game on the season. Sophomore quarterback Tanner Modesette had also established himself as the team's leading passer entering the game, while freshman running back JC Keller had emerged as one of the Wildcats' primary offensive weapons.
Modesette came into Friday night with 710 passing yards and five touchdown passes on the season, while Keller had accumulated 148 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns through the Wildcats' first four games.
Del Valle's Offense Struggles to Find Consistency
The Cardinals managed only seven points, continuing an offensive struggle that has followed them through the opening month of the season.
Before Friday's game, Del Valle had scored 21 points against Taft, was shut out 67–0 by Shoemaker and scored 14 points against Pflugerville. The Cardinals entered the Elgin game averaging 144.5 total yards per game, including 89.5 rushing yards and 55 passing yards per game.
That offensive production made every scoring opportunity against Elgin particularly important.
Del Valle's seven points represented the team's lowest scoring output since its season-opening victory over Taft? No — Del Valle actually scored seven against Elgin, following 14 against Pflugerville and a shutout against Shoemaker. The Cardinals' offensive inconsistency remained a defining storyline throughout the first four weeks.
A Defensive Battle
The final score illustrated how different Friday's game was from several of the teams' previous contests.
Elgin had scored 63 points against Northeast Early College earlier in the season, while Del Valle had surrendered 62 points to Pflugerville the previous week. Neither side approached those numbers Friday.
Instead, the Wildcats and Cardinals played a much tighter game.
Elgin's defense ultimately held Del Valle to one touchdown, while the Wildcats' offense produced enough scoring to create a two-possession cushion.
The result also continued a difficult stretch for Del Valle at home. According to the available MaxPreps record, the loss marked the Cardinals' eighth consecutive home defeat dating back to last season.
Elgin's Young Core Continues to Develop
One of the more notable aspects of Elgin's season has been the contribution from younger players.
Keller, a freshman running back and linebacker, entered the season as one of the Wildcats' developing offensive pieces. Through four games, he had 148 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns and 31 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Modesette, meanwhile, has been tasked with developing the passing attack. The sophomore quarterback had accumulated 710 passing yards and five touchdown passes entering the matchup with Del Valle.
Senior receiver/running back Brandon Sorrells also entered the contest as Elgin's leading receiver by average, producing 52.3 receiving yards per game through the opening portion of the season.
That combination of youth and experience has given Elgin multiple ways to attack opposing defenses.
Del Valle Looks Ahead
The Cardinals now enter a longer stretch of preparation following the loss.
Del Valle's next scheduled game is against Akins on Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m., which will also mark the Cardinals' first opportunity to begin district play.
The additional preparation time gives Del Valle an opportunity to address the offensive consistency that has been an issue during the first four weeks.
The Cardinals have shown flashes of competitiveness — particularly in their 27–21 loss to Taft to open the season — but the subsequent losses to Shoemaker, Pflugerville and Elgin have left the program searching for answers at 0–4.
For Elgin, the victory provides a needed bounce-back result following a 36–19 loss to Taylor the previous week. The Wildcats will return to the road for their next scheduled game against Rudder on Sept. 24.
By the Numbers
Final: Elgin 15, Del Valle 7
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 2026
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Del Valle, Texas
Elgin record: 2–2
Del Valle record: 0–4
Elgin passing yards: 223
Elgin receiving yards: 223
Elgin rushing yards: 26
Del Valle next game: vs. Akins, Oct. 2
Elgin next scheduled game: at Rudder, Sept. 24
For Del Valle, Friday's 15–7 defeat was another difficult chapter in a challenging opening month. But with district play approaching, the Cardinals still have an opportunity to reset, regroup and attempt to change the direction of their season when they return to the field against Akins.
For Elgin, meanwhile, the victory provides momentum and another step forward for a young Wildcats roster that continues to develop as the 2026 season progresses.
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