In the Rio Grande Valley’s sub-5A world, two teams that dealt with tough non-district schedules have come out on the other side shining like diamonds.
The Rio Hondo Bobcats (4-4, 3-0) and the Raymondville Bearkats (4-4, 2-0) are both undefeated in district and have a chance at winning a title in Week 10 or Week 11.
The Bearkats can clinch the District 16-4A DII title with a win against Bishop at 7:30 p.m. today at Ed Gorny Stadium in Bishop.
Raymondville picked up solid wins against Rio Hondo and Hidalgo in non-district, but dropped four games to Lyford, Edcouch-Elsa, Ingleside and Stinton.
Since the Stinton loss, the Bearkats have won two straight, beating Port Isabel and Grulla.
“The guys are super excited to be in this position,” Raymondville head coach Frank Cantu said. “It was a rough start to the season, but we were able to get healthy again and get big wins in season. Very optimistic about wanting to go play well and bring home the district title.”
Raymondville does not have a Week 11 opponent because of the four-team district, even finding a team to play in other weeks proved challenging with teams in the region all in district play.
Bobcats continue to roll
Rio Hondo moved to Class 3A this season after being a Class 4A school in the previous realignment.
The Bobcats are in first place in District 16-3A DI and finished strong beating Grulla, and nowhave churned out three straight district wins.
“You preach from the beginning that it is about getting better each week, as long as we get better it does not matter what is on the scoreboard,” Rio Hondo head coach Rocky James said. “It is very tough for them to digest that, but my kids know we have a good football team.”
Trusting that process has allowed Rio Hondo to secure a playoff spot in the win over Falfurrias last week, and it could clinch at least a share of a district title with a win against San Diego at 7:30 p.m. today at Bobcat Stadium.
“The kids are great, they are enjoying it,” James said. “These freshmen had not been to the playoffs … This is their first time to make the playoffs. They reached one of their goals, making the playoffs in their high school career, we got that accomplished. Now it is just time to fulfill their district title dreams.”
’Hounds’ Torres steps up
Brownsville St. Joseph sophomore receiver Claudio Torres caught eight passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns Friday against Austin Hyde Park.
Defensively, Torres had two interceptions, returning one of those to the house to help the Bloodhounds pick up another TAPPS DII District 3 win.
Torres has stepped up for the Bloodhounds because playmaking receiver Adrian Del Pozo has been banged up the last couple of weeks.
The sophomore has 44 receptions for 610 yards and seven touchdowns, along with the two interceptions.