STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
Raymondville comes into its Week 6 matchup with Orange Grove riding a four-game win streak and a confidence that has come with seeing its defense develop a next-man up mentality after losing linebacker Thomas Zambrano to an injury.
The Bearkats (4-1) have gone back and forth with the Bulldogs (0-3) in recent years. Raymondville won in a close game at Orange Grove 42-38 during the 2018 regular season and emerged victorious in blowout fashion 48-16 in the first round of the University Interscholastic League Class 4A Division II playoffs last season. Despite this, Orange Grove is 7-4 in the last 11 meetings between the two programs.
But with the Bearkats rising and Bulldogs slumping, tonight’s matchup will be crucial for the continuity of the Raymondville defense, especially with Dylan Ramirez, the team leader in tackles, stepping up to fill the void of Zambrano. Two other juniors — Jose Guajardo and Aaron Rivera — have also become major contributors to the defense.
“It’s just really good to know that they’re around as leaders,” Raymondville coach Frank Cantu said. “It’s a good situation for us.”
Guajardo was shifted from linebacker to defensive tackle and has thrived in the new role.
“He’s done well,” Cantu said. “He’s a good kid, he listens, he knows what he’s doing. We’re really pleased with him as well.”
Meanwhile, another junior in Zaraivion Armendarez has continued to be the engine of the Raymondville attack, averaging nearly 150 yards on the ground per game. He and Justin Cantu, a senior averaging nine yards per carry who has recorded 147 yards total on 19 carries in five games, are at the front of a formidable running back stable that includes Justin Smith (47 yards on 10 carries) and Jayson Cantu (43 yards on eight carries).
Armendarez also is the team’s leading receiver, with four catches for 59 yards. Right behind him is Aaron Rivera, another junior, with two catches for 55 yards.
“We’re excited, we’re pretty young ourselves,” Cantu said. “We’ve got lots of juniors and some sophomores, but they’re all stepping up and they’re doing what we’re asking of them. We’re really proud of them and we’re pretty happy that things have worked out to this point.”
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight at Burnett Stadium in Raymondville.