By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Although it had a slow start to the season, the Rivera Raiders have since gone on a winning streak.
Five seniors have led the way during the turnaround: Danny Elizondo and Edward Rubio on offense, and Christian Martinez, Chris Godoy and Angel Espinosa on defense.
Each has improved his play, leading the Raiders to three straight victories in the hunt for a postseason berth.
“Now that (the defense is) jelling and our offense is jelling, I think that’s what has made us a more complete team,” Rivera coach Tom Chavez said. “They’ve certainly helped as seniors with their leadership. They’ve helped us come together.”
The Raiders’ defense has been one of the most consistent and stingiest units in District 32-6A all season. Rivera allows 250 yards per game, the fewest in the district, and 23.5 points, second to only Los Fresnos (22 points).
Martinez and Espinoza are linebackers, and Godoy is a defensive back. Each feels a sense of pride in being a part of the district’s top defense.
“Having the best defense in the district shows that we’re good, but it shows what we do is paying off,” Martinezsaid. “We need to keep doing it, stay disciplined.”
And, nothing has changed dramatically during the last three games for the defensive unit.
“We’ve told ourselves every day we need to get better and better,” Godoy said. “We’re finally getting chemistry with each other, coming together. We’re finding out our weaknesses and strengths. We try to strengthen our weaknesses and apply our strengths to the game, but we haven’t changed anything. We have to stay humble.”
Chavez certainly has been impressed with the effort put forth.
“We’ve played some tough teams, and to be No. 1 in the district at this point, it’s a great feat,” he said. “They’ve kept a rhythm every week of playing good defense, and we just need to continue that.
“They’ve working really hard together and have done a great job.”
While the defense has shown consistency all season, the offense has finally caught up thanks in part to the connection between Elizondo and Rubio. The quarterback-receiver combination has connected 35 times for 491 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
While Elizondo has found his favorite target, Rubio, most often, the QB has spread the ball around. The senior quarterback has thrown for 1,307 yards and 12 touchdowns through eight games.
The two have been on the varsity squad since their sophomore year and have formed a bond the past three years.
“We had to get to a different level, “Rubio said.
Elizondo agreed.
“Trusting (Rubio) and giving him the best chance to catch it,” Elizondo said. “We’ve just to continued to work hard. I trust my receivers. They put in a lot of hard work and dedication to what we’re doing.”
Chavez was happy the offense has shown what it can do.
“I’m excited what we’ve been doing with our passing game,” he said. “It’s developed a little bit, the kids are having fun with it and we definitely want to continue that.”
The Raiders’ coach praised his senior group for keeping the team positive despite early season woes.
“This team has never given up, and there was a point where it was getting tough,” he said. “It effects you (not only) mentally, but physically. For (the team) to bounce back, you have to give (the seniors) a lot of credit.”
The seniors, though, have taken their cue from the coaching staff all season.
“The coaches told us that seniors have to step up, and I believe many of our seniors have done that,” Rubio said. “It starts on the practice field and continues onto the game field.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter, he’s @andrewmcrum.