By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
COLLEGE STATION — After a loss and a two-hour lightning delay, La Feria shook off mother nature and the nerves to finish strong.
The Lions dropped their first game against Jim Ned 33-19 and then turned things around with a win against Hirschi 32-21 and a tough 26-20 overtime loss to Connally, finishing 1-2 on the first day of the state 7on7 tournament at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
The Lions will be in the consolation bracket and will begin play at 8 a.m. with their opponents to be decided.
“The competition is at a high level here,” senior quarterback Dorian Hernandez said. “We weren’t ready for that first game and it hit us hard, but we were able to bounce back and we got the momentum we needed and came out with the win.”
The Lions raced out to a quick 12-0 lead against Hirschi that helped Hernandez and the offense find their rhythm. La Feria pushed their lead to 20-0 at the half with the defense pitching the first-half shutout.
“We always think that way,” Hernandez said. “We want to go into a game and get a lead so we can play comfortably towards the end and not have to worry about it.”
The entire Lions’ roster has never experienced the state tournament, so it took some time for the Lions to get settled in and gain confidence.
“Nothing changed too much,” Hernandez said. “We all talked about it with each other and we felt it was the nerves that got to us in that first game since this is our first time. We came out calm in the second game and we were able to get it done.”
RIO HONDO STRUGGLES
Much like La Feria, the Rio Hondo Bobcats entered the state 7on7 tournament as one of the younger teams.
The Bobcats put together a strong showing against the defending Division II 7on7 champs in a 31-21 loss to Heritage to open up pool play.
The day didn’t get any easier for the Bobcats as they dropped their second game against Dumas 35-12 and Columbia 26-20 to finish the day 0-3
Rio Hondo will now be in the consolation bracket and will kickoff at 8 a.m. this morning with their opponents to be decided.
“I enjoy coming out here and competing,” senior defender Sam Villines said. “We just didn’t do so hot. We will be fine; we will adjust. Our defense is one thing we need to improve on. We weren’t going 100 percent out there.”
With a roster filled with underclassman, Villines and fellow incoming senior Joey Ortega have taken on the leadership role on defense.
“We just need to lead by example,” Villines said. “If we do well they will do well, or if we do bad they will do bad, so we need to step up.”