FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
It’s rivalry week for both Lyford and Raymondville. Get to know Lyford’s Frank Moreno and Javier Gonzalez before one of the biggest games of the year.
How has being named District 16-3A DI MVP last year motivated Moreno even further this season? And what does the Willacy County Cotton bowl mean to Gonzalez?
The Valley Morning Star got a chance to catch up with the dynamic duo.
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Q: Living in Lyford, what does the Cotton Bowl mean to you? Do you have any favorite memories from the annual rivalry?
Moreno: It means a lot to me because it’s something you dream about playing in as a kid. My favorite memory would have to be when I scored five touchdowns against them last year and beat them 49-7.
Gonzalez: The Cotton Bowl means a lot to me because I get to represent my school and where we come from. It’s a different feeling playing in the Cotton Bowl. Some say it’s just another game, but it’s bigger than that. It’s the battle of our county and while everyone else watches, we play it. Last year has to be the favorite memory of it. Beating them 49-7 was a great feeling and we hope to achieve that again this year.
Q: This is your senior season, what are some of your goals this year?
Moreno: Some of my goals are to help my team as much as I can and I’d really like have over 2,000 total yards this season.
Q: For people who haven’t experienced a rivalry like the Cotton Bowl, what’s the toughest/best part leading up to the game?
Moreno: The toughest part is trying to ignore what everyone else has to say.
Gonzalez: The best part leading up to the game is the hype both communities put up, and how both schools battle for bragging rights, but the competition is in the game.
Q: Lyford went two deep in the postseason last year. How has that inspired the team this year?
Moreno: It’s motivated us as a team because that wasn’t our goal last year. A motto we use is “Thanksgiving on the road.” It’s either three rounds or further, or we won’t be satisfied, so round three is our goal.
Q: You were District 16-3A DI MVP last year. How has that motivated you this season?
Moreno: It’s motivated me by just pushing me to work harder and never get complacent because I want to be MVP again this season.
Q: Lyford went two deep in the postseason last year. How has that inspired the team this year?
Gonzalez: It has inspired us to do better than that and to make it to the third (round) and more.
Q: The team returned a lot of talent this season. What is the mood like in the locker room heading into a game like this?
Gonzalez: That we know we have to get the job done after last week, so everyone is focused and locked in about what we need to do.
Q: You were on the District 16-3A DI first team offensive and defense last year. How has that motivated you this season?
Gonzalez: I got first team for offensive and defensive last year, and that motivates me to do better this year like get defensive MVP and to try to make the all-state team for defense.