JOSEPH TELLO | Staff Writer
The La Feria Lions (12-0) are on the verge of clinching their second straight District 32-4A title tonight when they host the Hidalgo Pirates (11-1).
With a one-game lead over the Pirates, Lions head coach Dario Sanchez said his team is ready to perform.
“Hidalgo is consistently at the top of our district and because of that I feel like there seems to be a bigger emphasis on (tonight’s game) than most other games,” Sanchez said.
“We’re going to stick to our routine and control what we can as far as effort, individual responsibilities and maintain a positive attitude whatever happens.”
Should the Lions lose tonight, they will find themselves in a two-way tie for first place with one game remaining against Zapata on Monday.
HEADED FOR A PHOTO FINISH: With the Los Fresnos Falcons cooling off the Weslaco Panthers on Tuesday, the race for the District 32-6A title will now come down to the wire as two games remain in the regular season.
Weslaco head coach Gabriel Valdez believes the loss to Los Fresnos will help his team in the long run and the Panthers are now focused on crosstown rival Weslaco East, who they play tonight.
“The loss was tough for our boys, but it takes some of the burden off of trying to go undefeated. We just have to regroup and finish off the season strong,” Valdez said.
As for the Falcons, they host the San Benito Greyhounds, who are coming off a huge win against the Harlingen Cardinals.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals host a Harlingen South squad that would like to keep its momentum rolling after a victory over Brownsville Rivera.
The Hawks are currently 7-5 in league play and are fighting to secure a playoff spot.
“Tuesday’s win was big for us, in the fact we needed to get back on the winning track,” said South head coach Brian Molina “But I know when it comes to crosstown rivalries, all records go out the door and anything can happen.”
After suffering the devastating loss to San Benito earlier in the week, the Cardinals would love nothing more than to redeem themselves against the Hawks tonight.
“Obviously, any win during the season is good but to get a victory against one of the top teams in our district would be great,” said Harlingen head coach Greg Yates.