By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
Lyford’s Joaquin Gonzales couldn’t have had a better game for the Bulldogs this weekend.
The senior hauled in four receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated the Hidalgo Pirates 20-17 to improve to 2-0 on the season.
“We are very young across the board, but I’m proud of the guys and the way they have been able to finish games and come out and do what it takes to get the win,” Lyford coach Israel Gonzalez said.
Gonzales’ first touchdown of the night came on an 85-yard TD reception to open the scoring for the Bulldogs. The second touchdown, a 14-yard catch, was posted during the fourth quarter.
Gonzalez will be hoping for another big performance in the annual Cotton Bowl against Raymondville.
“In a game like this, it’s a great game for both communities and the kids,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t have to tell them because they already know that this is a big rivalry and we expect them to have full effort this week. At the same time, as a football coach, it’s a week-to-week basis because it’s us against ourselves week in and week out.”
RAYMONDVILLE 55, GRULLA 28
The Raymondville Bearkats rebounded from a Week 1 loss to convincingly defeat Grulla in Week 2.
The Bearkats scored 35 points during the first half and added another 20 points in the second to improve to 1-1 overall.
After scoring just seven points in the first game, the Raymondville offense erupted for 55 points against the Gators.
“I think we played a good game all the way around, and our offense definitely came out firing right from the start and I was very pleased to see that,” Raymondville coach Frank Cantu said. “I think we executed better and we saw some things that we need to improve on, and we just had a good week of practice.”
“But I was just happy to see that all aspects of the team were doing well.”
One player whose stock skyrocketed was quarterback Jacob Posas. The senior playmaker threw for 106 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for another 120 yards and four touchdowns on seven carries.
Despite going into the half with a substantial lead, Cantu urged the team to remain focused.
“Grulla was no pushover and came out the second half and had a good half, but we were in a good situation where we had a good lead,” Cantu said. “Grulla mounted a great first drive in the second half and scored, but on the very next kickoff, our kick returner, Justin Cantu, took it to the house, and the place just erupted. It was exactly what we needed to ensure that we kept going.”