By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
LA FERIA — For La Feria’s defensive unit, this season has had its share of ups and downs.
When the season started, the Lions were heralded as the team to beat in District 16-4A DI. After back-to-back losses to Mercedes and Sharyland Pioneer mid way through the non-district schedule, critics began talking and doubt began to settle in with the La Feria faithful.
“A lot of people doubted us, especially the defense,” said defensive end Ryan Puente. “Last year people assumed were going to be amazing and we were pretty good, but this year, they doubted us and I think that lit a fire in our stomachs and made us all perform better, from our secondary to our backups.”
And the team has responded by playing better football.
Defensive captain Randy Cantu has noticed the resounding difference from last year.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries this season, but the backups have really stepped up,” said linebacker Cantu. “However now that we are back I feel like we are back as one unit and like a brotherhood.
“Last year it was a little more individual and players were thinking for themselves; that’s not the case this year. This year players want to help each other out, with the common goal of stopping the other guys as a team.”
And defensive end Damion Canales agrees.
“Just like these guys said, last year we were a very good team but it was more individual” said Canales. “This year there is a lot more teamwork and we help each other out because we are all after the same goal.”
This season has almost mimicked, the way last season’s ended.
And the Lions’ fan base remembers the scenario all too well.
With the team at 2-0 in district action and two games remaining in the regular season, the Lions were on brink of bringing home their first district title in 15 years before La Feria dropped its last two.
But not this year, this year has been different in large part because of the defensive play of Cantu, Canales and Puente.
“Those kids have done a great job of playing lights out in the field and being great leaders,” said La Feria head coach Oscar Salinas. “I think Puente, Canales and Gonzalo Alegria have done a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage for us, and now that Randy is back from injury he done a good job of lining our defense with the experience that he has.
“They’ve done an excellent job and we wouldn’t be here without them. They’ve played light out; there are no other words to describe it.”