By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
SANTA ROSA — It’s official, sub-5A district play is back on the menu with a litany of interesting matchups to start the district schedule.
Every coach stresses to their team that everyone starts new at 0-0 – except this time every game counts toward the postseason.
In 16-3A Division I, Lyford (2-2) and Santa Rosa (0-4) start their district schedule against each other tonight at Warrior Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
The young Warriors have struggled to get going offensively losing close contests to Rio Hondo and Hidalgo.
However Santa Rosa can never be counted out, especially with the talent head coach Arturo Garciahas at his disposal.
The Bulldogs showed some perseverance in last week’s victory over Hidalgo. Coupled with a win over La Villa in the first game of the season, the team has found some momentum heading into the district opener.
“I think we regrouped and played one of the most complete games that we have played up to this point this season,” said Lyford head coach Jaime Infante. “We got some players back that had previously been hurt due to early season injuries.
“After getting a lot of key players back last week, I felt we were in sync and executed better offensively and defensively. It’s definitely the way you want to go into your first district game.”
Senior quarterback John Rivera has looked sharp this season and is on par to even last seasons passing total of 2,000 yards.
“I think John has done a great job,” said Infante. “We had a tough nondistrict schedule and one of the things I’ve told John that it’s not where you start but where you finish.
“He’s a hard working kid and does a good job preparing for any team we face that week. We feel we’re a lot stronger than we were a few weeks ago.”
WEST OSO AT RIO HONDO
Boasting the district’s leading defense, Rio Hondo welcomes a visit from West Oso (1-4) tonight at Bobcat Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
At 3-1 the Bobcats have started the season on a winning note. Traditonally, Rio Hondo has been known for its stong defense and this year that did not change.
The Bobcats lead District 16-4A DII with the fewest yards allowed 496, and are allowing an average of 124 yards per game.
Statistically, Rio Hondo has also done a solid job on the offensive side of the ball as well.
The Bobcats are second in district with a total of 1361 yards and are averaging 340 yards per game.
After a last week’s bye, the Bobcats are anxious to start the district portion of the season.
RAYMONDVILLE AT ORANGE GROVE
The Bearkats begin the 2015 district schedule against last season’s district champion Orange Grove.
The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Bulldogs Stadium.
Last week the Bearkats lost to the six-ranked Sinton Pirates, giving up a season high 495 yards.
This week Raymondville faces off against another explosive offensive that has racked up more than 1,700 yards this season, with 1,246 of them through the air.