STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
Santa Rosa running back Jose Diaz-Mendez eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark last Friday with his second 300-yard ground game of the 2019 campaign in a 32-0 win over Monte Alto.
The win got the Warriors (4-3, 1-2 District 16-3A Division II) back on track and gives Santa Rosa an opportunity to get back to .500 in district play.
Diaz-Mendez rushed for 365 yards on 28 carries and five touchdowns, surpassing his 323-yard, five-touchdown outing against rival La Villa on Sept. 13. He accounted for 95 percent of the Warriors’ total offensive output in the victory.
Santa Rosa is set to host Banquete at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Bulldogs (1-5, 0-2 16-3A DII) lost their first two district contests by a combined score of 79-14 to Taft and Corpus Christi London, respectively. The Warriors defeated Banquete 56-8 in 2018.
Pride returns home
Undefeated La Feria has its District 16-4A Division I home opener scheduled for 7:30 p.m. against Zapata.
The Lions (7-0, 1-0 16-4A DI) will return for its first game at Lion Stadium since Sept. 13 against Mercedes.
Quarterback Dario Sanchez started in place of the injured Dorian Hernandez and threw for 76 yards while completing 10 of 19 pass attempts. Sanchez also rushed for 50 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-0 victory at Kingsville King last week.
The Hawks (2-5, 0-1 16-4A DI) dropped their district opener to Hidalgo 36-18. Zapata is 6-5 in its last 11 meetings with La Feria, and the Lions won the most recent matchup between the district foes 33-14 on Oct. 19, 2018.
Tarpons host Progreso in district opener
Port Isabel joins Rio Hondo and Raymondville as three of four District 16-4A Division II squads coming off of open dates in Week 7.
The Tarpons (2-4) host Progreso at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Red Ants (3-4) were only team in the district to play last week, rebounding from a 31-7 loss to Santa Maria in Week 6 to defeat Marine Military Academy 75-0. Port Isabel most recently dropped a road shootout with Grulla, 35-34.
Bulldogs back in town
Lyford hosts San Diego at 7:30 p.m Friday in its District 16-3A Division I home opener.
The Bulldogs (2-5, 2-0 16-3A DI) opened their district slate with back-to-back road wins over Falfurrias and Aransas Pass.
Elsewhere in the East Valley, Santa Maria will look to bounce back from its loss to Three Rivers in its District 16-2A Division I opener. The Cougars (4-2, 0-1 16-2A DI) will play host to Ben Bolt at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
In District 16-2A Division II, La Villa still seeks its first win of the 2019 season. The Cardinals (0-6, 0-1 16-2A DII) dropped their district opener 10-8 to Agua Dulce and are scheduled to host Benavides at 7 p.m. Friday. The Eagles (1-5, 0-1 16-2A DII) are coming off a 34-22 loss to Premont.