STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
RAYMONDVILLE — In a matter of moments, La Feria went from staring down a 10-point deficit to what seemed to be a one-point lead heading into the locker room for halftime Friday night at Raymondville’s Burnett Stadium.
Then senior quarterback Dorian Hernandez decided being up one point wasn’t good enough.
With 30 seconds to play in the first half Hernandez scrambled for 20 yards, then on the next play he rolled out and fired a 22-yard bullet to Dereck Perez at the 1-yard line. Hernandez took the next snap and plunged the ball over the goal line himself as time expired to go up by eight in a 41-13 victory.
“We came out slow, but we had motivation from our sideline,” Hernandez said. “Once we get going, we’re an explosive team. Like they say, once the pride gets rolling, you ain’t gonna stop it.”
Chris Diaz (1 yard) and Perez (35 yards) also recorded rushing touchdowns for the Lions.
After surrendering an early touchdown to the Bearkats when Jarod Cavazos tossed a screen pass to ZaRaivion Armendarez, who took it 84 yards to the end zone untouched, the stout Lions defense only allowed a pair of field goals by Saul Garcia from that point forward, shutting out Raymondville in the second half.
Armendarez displayed his elusiveness as a receiver and a running back, reeling off a 46-yard run to put Raymondville in field goal range. But he also fumbled twice, which in once case led directly to another La Feria touchdown, Hernandez’s second keeper of the night.
Raymondville coach Frank Cantu said Armendarez was a bright spot in an otherwise lopsided affair.
“He is going to be something else,” Cantu said. “The kid’s electric. We’re going to find more ways to get him the ball. He’s special for us, and I think we saw flashes of that tonight.”
Andrew Rodriguez anchored the Lions’ defensive line, with a sack of Cavazos for a big loss in the first quarter. The junior starter tossed three interceptions in his debut for Raymondville, and La Feria forced six turnovers on the night.
Linebacker Erik Luna had two interceptions, both of which occurred deep in Bearkats’ territory, though the first was negated by the lone La Feria turnover of the night, as Dylan Ramirez came up with a pick of Hernandez to set up the game’s first score.
“(Luna) was amazing,” La Feria coach Oscar Salinas said. “He played really good last year, too. He had a hell of a game. A lot of kids showed up on defense and did a great job for us.”
Cornerback Evan Avila had an interception during the second quarter on a ball that was tipped when it reached the secondary.
“You can’t give La Feria six turnovers,” Cantu said. “You just can’t. They’re as advertised, very quick, very fast to the ball.”
Cantu said he was pleased by the team’s strong start, and expects to face a team of La Feria’s caliber in the playoffs.
“I know we’re going to learn from this,” Cantu said. “And we will be better for it.”
Aaron Trevino took over under center for the majority of the fourth quarter, and Dario Sanchez threw a touchdown pass to CJ Ortiz to put the Lions ahead by four touchdowns.
“We played well,” Salinas said. “I feel really good about where we’re at. The kids showed up tonight.”