KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Last summer Rio Hondo broke new ground by reaching the state 7 on 7 tournament for the first time in program history.
The Cats were led by the 1-2 punch of quarterback Tyler Bush and receiver Erick Pizarro. That duo is now graduated and Rio Hondo is looking for the next tandem to take them to College Station.
“We are looking at this league as a way for us to get some practice in,” said Danny Vasquez. “Every game we come out and try our best to get better. In this league we are competing against bigger schools and that is helping us prepare.”
Last year, Rio Hondo punched their ticket at the McAllen State Qualifying tournament and breezed through pool play by beating Rockport Fulton, Hidalgo, La Villa and eventually beat Port Isabel to qualify for state.
This year the Bobcats will try out their luck once more at the McAllen Qualifier which will take place June 16th.
“Us older guys told the younger guys that making state is fun,” said Frank Hernandez. “The whole experience is fun, but with all that you have to learn the plays and understand what we’re trying to do. We each have a role on the team and we’re excited for another shot at state.”
With Bush now gone, the Cats will now look to senior Josiah Ortega who is making the move from safety to QB. Ortega was Bush’s backup last season and took some snaps in mop up duty.
Ortega will have some familiar weapons around him to help ease into the QB position. Hernandez returns to the lineup and provides the speed and the ability to stretch the field. Cross Gonzalez also returns to the receiving core followed up by Vasquez who plays running back, but can also run crisp routes.
“Josiah is coming along well,” Hernandez said. “I feel we will get to where we need to be. Right now he (Josiah) is playing at a solid pace and we’re picking that up. Once we start playing in the qualifying tournaments the speed shows and that’s one thing we stress to the younger guys is the speed of the game.”