By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
La Feria’s Jacob Garza made the play of a lifetime Friday night against the Raymondville Bearkats.
In a sold-out contest between the rivals, Garza was the difference maker after he intercepted a pass and took it 60 yards to paydirt. The decisive defensive play gave the Lions a 14-7 advantage with 9:14 remaining in the clock, ultimately leading to a 17-7 victory.
“ Our team was resilient, and they played hard all night,” La Feria coach Oscar Salinas said. “Ultimately, the biggest factor was that we won the turnover war. We had had two interceptions late in the game that resulted in 10 points.
“ Our defense played lights out and pretty much held (Raymondville running back) Marcus Capetillo down, and didn’t allow any big plays.”
La Feria’s defense not only held Capetillo to 53 yards but it also held the Bearkats to just 232 yards of total offense.
On the other side of the ball, Raymondville’s defense was just as spectacular, allowing a starting quarterback Dorian Hernandez-less Lions offense to 143 yards; 100 yards rushing and 43 yards passing.
LYFORD 13, SANTA ROSA 6: At Lyford, the Bulldogs started the season on the right foot, defeating the Warriors for the sixth consecutive time in their annual grudge match.
After scoring early, the Bulldogs held a 6-0 lead deep into the game. During the fourth quarter Santa Rosa’s Ryan Meza made the game interesting, evening it up.
But a determined Lyford team sealed the deal, scoring the game-winner with 5:58 remaining in the contest.
Despite the loss, Santa Rosa coach Hector Ayala insisted the game will help his team moving forward.
“ Very proud of how these young men kept fighting because there were miscues on both sides of the ball,” Ayala said. “But no one pointed fingers and each took responsibility for themselves. Lyford is a good football team, and I know Coach Gonzalez will have them improving every week. I told the team that these are the fun games. You don’t know that right now because you’re hurting inside.
“ But (we’re) learning from our mistakes and moving forward so we don’t let one loss turn into multiple losses. So, we will get up and start climbing the mountain again. Our goal still is a district championship, and Friday’s game will help us stay focused on that.”