STAFF REPORT
The Lopez Lobos have reached the season’s midway point and have no wins to show for it.
Despite the 0-5 record (0-4 in District 16-5A Division I), quarterback Jose Cruz has continued to improve week after week and is coming off his best performance of the season in a 42-35 loss at Donna High.
The senior quarterback threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed for 210 more yards and two more scores.
On the season, Cruz has rushed for 525 yards and six touchdowns, and he has thrown for 647 yards and another five scores to lead the Lobos.
FAST FIN
Port Isabel running back Brayan Medina got a late start but has more than made up for it in his four performances this season.
Medina had carried the ball 100 times during that span and has rushed for 634 yards and five touchdowns.
In a 55-26 win against St. Joseph Academy, Medina had his lightest workload with just 16 carries, but managed 116 yards and three touchdowns. It was the running back’s third time in four games to rush for more than 100 yards, only failing to do so against undefeated La Feria in Week 4.
PREACHING PATIENCE
Lyford’s 2019 season has been afflicted with injuries, most notably at the quarterback position with Cayleb Klostermann giving way to freshman Brenden Nunez.
With a young team across the board, a greater share of the leadership mantle has been assumed by junior running back Devon Mendoza. During a 54-19 loss against George West in Lyford’s District 16-3A Division I opener last Friday, Mendoza was the leading rusher for the Bulldogs (0-4, 0-1 district) with 79 yards on nine carries and a 1-yard touchdown run. He also had four catches for 10 yards.
Mendoza said part of the process of rebuilding on a fly with a young team requires patience and some growing pains, particularly when dealing with unplanned adversity.
“We don’t really preach winning (above development),” Mendoza said. “We want to win, but it’s not our main goal.”
Matthew Sanchez was the leading receiver for Lyford, hauling in two receptions for 54 yards. Nunez completed 10 of his 15 pass attempts and threw for 91 yards.
Running back Gavino Morales also demonstrated an ability to produce in district play with 76 yards on nine carries and a 20-yard touchdown run.
RESTING
District 32-6A is enjoying a bye week this week.
Harlingen High, Harlingen South and San Benito all took on teams from District 2-6A last week, with Harlingen High being the only team that came out with the win.
The Cardinals received a strong performance from Jaime Galvan and Rayden Berry. Galvan threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns on 14-for-24 passing. Berry ran for four scores and torched the Midland High defense for an 85-yard score. Berry hauled in five catches for 112 yards and ran 15 times for 112 yards.
Harlingen High now prepares for San Benito in the team’s district opener Oct. 11.
San Benito didn’t have much luck out west against Midland Lee. The offense was limited to 320 yards and 12 points. Smiley Silva ran for 62 yards on nine carries and threw for 87 yards, going 5-for-12 through the air.
Harlingen South also found itself in a tough spot Saturday at Odessa High, dropping its second straight game. The Hawks will meet Los Fresnos on Oct. 11 at Los Fresnos. Last year the Hawks beat the Falcons 16-7.
Mark Molina, Stefan Modrich and Kevin Narro contributed to this report.