By KEVIN NARRO

Staff Writer

SAN BENITO — While the task was a daunting one, the San Benito Greyhounds did not back down from the third-ranked Converse Judson Rockets on Friday night.

The Rockets took advantage of three first-half interceptions, including a pick-six from Joewel Crawford, and a 89-yard touchdown reception from Antony Shelton to earn a 69-18 win in the Class 6A Division I regional playoff.

Judson next meets the winner between Weslaco High and Lake Travis. The two will meet later today at the Alamodome.

“Our kids are always ready to come out and play,” San Benito coach Dan Gomez said. “It is our job as coaches to put them in the best possible position to be successful. All I can ask for is commitment and grit, and they did that.”

San Benito finishes the season with an 8-5 record, a second-place finish in District 32-6A, and back-to-back area and bi-district titles.

Much like last week’s explosive second quarter against San Antonio Reagan, the Rockets put together a 28-point second quarter.

UTSA commit Sincere McCormick ran for two TDs, including a dazzling 29-yard score that displayed his quick feet and smooth running.

The ’Hounds made some noise when senior linebacker Albert Mercado recovered a fumble and returned it to the Rockets’ 13-yard line.

A few plays later, the ’Hounds went for it on fourth-and-3 but couldn’t cash in. During the second half, Jacob Cavazos ran for a pair of scores and hit running back Kyler Castillja for a touchdown.

“We just played our game,” senior quarterback Jacob Cavazos said. “We knew they were a great team, but coach told us to not back down. I’m going to miss the brotherhood on this team, and I’m thankful to have had the chance to play for the Greyhounds.”

The ’Hounds will lose a handful of seniors to graduation, including Cavazos, wideouts Mitch Guajardo and Frankie Garcia, and defensive players AJ Garcia, Albert Mercado and Nick Castaneda, to name a few.

“These kids are committed to excellence,” Gomez said. “Yes, we want to win, but when the season is over and you reflect, the real part of it is when the kids give it your all, and we will get back to work and keep working.”

Garcia who wrapped up a strong career, leaves behind a strong work ethic and leadership for the underclassman to build on.

“It was an honor to play for the Greyhounds,” Garcia said. “I’m so proud of our city, on how they supported us, and to all my teammates and coaches, I’m thankful for it all. It was a great four years, we can look to each other and say we gave it our all, and to the younger guys, do it for your teammates, family and city.”

Gomez’s message was simple to the underclassmen, and that was to work just as hard.

“It is the same every year, just keep working, and we are going to work harder than we have last year and work even harder than we did the previous year,” Gomez said.

Returning to the lineup will be Smiley Silva, who looks to lead the ’Hounds under center as a senior next fall, along with soon-to-be-junior Kyler Castilleja, who broke out as a sophomore, along with a majority of the team’s offensive line.

By MARK MOLINA

Staff Writer

LA FERIA — Both the Pace Lady Vikings and the La Feria Lionettes basketball teams didn’t play a pretty game, as they each struggled on the offensive end of their Pool East matchup.

The teams played to a tie after three quarters, but the Lionettes made the shots down the stretch and came away with a 32-27 win Friday night during Day 2 of the Tommie Wiseman Tournament in La Feria.

After La Feria’s Lydia Alvarado put in a layup to make it 27-25 with 2:31 to play, teammate Maggie Cavazos followed with a straightaway three-point shot, and Kayla Lowe added an insurance bucket to cap a 7-0 run.

La Feria coach Angel Martinez said his team spent the entire game rushing shots but was able to settle down and hit the shots in the clutch.

“We needed to let the offense run the offense, be patient and get a lot of ball movement,” he said. “We came down the court and would go one pass, one shot, and that’s not what we’re supposed to do offensively. We’re not that great shooting the ball right now and we’re getting better, but to be able to go down there and hit that quick 3 shows we have to be patient and make the defense work a little bit.”

Pace trailed by as many as 10 early in the second quarter but outscored La Feria 19-9 to head to the fourth quarter tied.

The Lady Vikings faltered down the stretch, scoring four points on two buckets from guard Lexi Arce.

“We had a lot of missed opportunities and missed a lot of layups in the first half,” Pace coach Eddie Lozano said. “We ran out of gas in the fourth quarter, but (La Feria) played a good game. We’re still trying to find our identity. District starts in a couple of weeks and we have to find it fast; hopefully we do.”

Arce finished with a game-high 13 points to lead Pace, Cavazos led La Feria with 11 and teammate Aaliyah Cavazos scored eight points.

Pace defeated Valley View 40-31 earlier in the day and will take on Rivera in the fifth-place game at 9 a.m. in the main La Feria gym.

La Feria lost to PSJA High 36-30 earlier in the day and was scheduled to play in the third-place game against PSJA North, but the Lionettes will be shorthanded with their football team’s regional football game against La Vernia scheduled for today in Corpus Christi. As a result, the Lionettes will bow out of the tournament.

In other earlier games, Rivera lost 39-17 to Mercedes and 64-42 to PSJA North.

Port Isabel dropped games 58-27 to PSJA North and 57-43 to Mercedes.

Jubilee Brownsville had a good day, going 2-0 with wins over Zapata (61-45) and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (55-49).

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SAN PERLITA — While the season is still young, the San Perlita Trojans continue to grow and hit their stride.

On Saturday, five Trojans finished in double figures, led by a game-high 21-point performance from junior Tige Johnson.

The run and gun offense was just too much for the La Feria Lions who are also a young team and are missing a few key pieces due to the football team still in the playoffs. The Trojans fed off the high intensity to the tune of a 89-57 victory over the Lions.

“It is early in the season and one thing we strive to do as a team is get better each day,” Trojans coach Nataniel Garza said. “Today what I really liked, was everyone got involved. I’m trying to develop my bench and get them going, it will be important for us going forward.”

San Perlita has now won three straight and will now shift their focus to another tall order on Monday at Raymondville. The Lions will look to bounce back as they play host to Santa Maria on Tuesday.

“We have played against bigger schools before,” Johnson said. “It is good for us to play against bigger schools because it gets us ready for district and eventually the playoffs.”

Along with Johnsons 21 points, EJ Nieto and Jake Howell each scored 11 points, Bryan Herrera dropped 14, while freshman Eli Terry netted 12 points.

Both Howell and Terry came off the bench and provided the Trojans with quality minutes and helped push their lead in the second quarter.

The Trojans scored 24 points in each of the first two quarters and executed on defense forcing turnovers, which is another plus moving forward for the Trojans.

“Our intensity is there and we try and come out with that same intensity every game and we give it our 100 percent,” Johnson said. “In the first few minutes of the game we will know if we are on and hitting our shots. We all stay positive to keep that momentum going and coach Garza does a good job on preparing us each week.”

By MARK MOLINA

Staff Writer

SAN ANTONIO — Trailing by six points early in the third quarter, the Hanna Golden Eagles turned the ball over for the second time in three possessions after quarterback Victor Campos was picked off by Eagle Pass defensive back David Kypuros.

When it seemed like the wheels were falling off, Hanna wide receiver Miguel Payan tracked down Kypuros seconds later, stripped the ball loose and regained possession for his team.

Two plays later, senior running back Cesar Mancias broke a 46-yard touchdown run to start a string of 21 unanswered points and lift Hanna to a 28-13 area round win over Eagle Pass on Friday at the University of Incarnate Word’s Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium.

It was another slow start for Hanna on both sides of the ball, but coach Mark Guess credited his defense with holding Eagle Pass to three second-half points and keeping his team in the game until the spark.

“We hard four three-and-outs to start the ballgame, and it wasn’t the way we wanted to start offensively,” the Hanna coach said. Our defense kept holding and holding and holding. We just kept doing the things we’ve been doing all year long. At some point these guys tell themselves, ‘Hey, this might be my last ball game.’ In the second half of every ballgame, they come out and score.

“We just have to keep playing and do what we can because it gets tougher each week at this point.”

Hanna improves to 10-1 moves on to play the winner of the Cibolo Steele-Northside Brandeis area-round game in the Class 6A regional round Dec. 1 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Eagle Pass is sent packing after a 10-3 season.

Mancias had a big second half with 173 yards and two touchdowns, with several big runs straight up the middle. Overall, Mancias had three scores, including a 20-yard run during the first half.

“Our linemen blocked and the holes were there,” the Hanna senior said. “My other running back, Aaron Frausto, made the holes even bigger … It was just execution. Going into the half we knew this could be our last game and we really didn’t want that to happen, so we had to come out and execute.”

After Macias’ 46-yard run, Hanna scored on the next two drives as well, on a 14-yard fade to the left corner of the end zone and then on a 4-yard run from Mancias.

Eagle Pass had four drives during the second half and turned the ball over twice as Hanna defensive backs Andres Sustaeta and Bryan Duran intercepted quarterback Ricardo Luna to secure the win.

It was a far cry from the first half, when Eagle Pass moved the ball consistently on short fields but only managed 10 points.

“We started talking at the half and needed to make adjustments,” Duran said. “We matched up on their receivers, and our defensive line helped us out so much.”

Luna was sacked three times during the second half and freshman running back Jose Hernandez was held to 25 second-half yards after a productive first half that included a touchdown run.

By KEVIN NARRO

Staff Writer

CORPUS CHRISTI — The fifth-ranked Cuero Gobblers scored on their first six possessions of the first half of a 56-0 Class 4A Division II area-round win over Rio Hondo on Friday night at Calallen’s Phil Danaher Field.

Running back Keiran Grant ran for two scores during the first half and, on the third play of the night, Jordan Whittington hauled in a score to lead the Gobblers, who next play West Oso in the regional round.

“I’m proud of the kids and how they fought all year,” Rio Hondo coach Rocky James said. “We ran into a very tough Cuero team and they were as good as advertised, but overall we had a successful season on getting to the area round.”

While the Gobblers’ offense was clicking on all cylinders, the Cuero defense also forced three first-half turnovers and took advantage of Rio Hondo miscues.

“It is tough to play a team like Cuero, and we used to play them in the first round and it was tough then getting out of the first round,” James said. “The Valley has it tough when we start playing teams from outside of the Valley, and with that speed and caliber of athletes it changes from what we do down south. We take nothing away from our kids. The further we go in the playoffs the tougher it gets.”

Deandre Lang also chipped in for the Gobblers. After catching a 22-yard touchdown, Lang intercepted a pass and ran it to the Rio Hondo 5-yard line.

The Gobblers ran for 184 yards on 31 carries as a team, and picked up 357 yards of offense. Rio Hondo finished the game with 91 rushing yards on 28 attempts.

The Bobcats will graduate 26 seniors this year and look to new faces on both sides of the ball next fall.

Rio Hondo’s senior class won 26 games — winning nine games for a second straight year — along with two district titles and two bi-district titles. Household names like Danny Vasquez, Frank Hernandez, Troy Macias, Cross Gonzalez, Josiah Ortega and Gabriel Martinez will graduate this summer.

“After all these years, Rio Hondo has made a name for themselves, and in the playoffs, too,” Vasquez said. “Like coach mentioned, it’s normal for us now to play on Thanksgiving, and before we weren’t able to do that.”

Vasquez made an emotional return to Calallen. Last year as a junior against Aransas Pass in the bi-district round, Vasquez broke his collarbone for a second time that season, ultimately ending it.

Vasquez returned his senior year and finished as the district’s leading rusher, wrapping up a strong career in a Bobcats uniform.

“I tried not to think about it at all,” Vasquez said. “As soon as the game started, I was able to get going and I completely forgot about it. I gave it my best tonight. I just want to thank Coach James for giving me the chance to come in as a sophomore and start for him, and I’m truly blessed to be a part of this program.”

By MARK MOLINA

Staff Writer

Hanna coach Mark Guess was hoping to avoid yet another slow start against Weslaco East in their bi-district matchup Friday night.

That didn’t happen as the Golden Eagles (9-1) trailed 7-0 early on, but they responded with 6-yard touchdown pass from Victor Campos to Aaron Frausto to tie the game and start a string of 21 unanswered points.

It wasn’t what Guess had in mind in what would turn into a 35-20 win, but he’ll take it.

“Once again, we do what we do and give up a touchdown early, unfortunately, which was the opposite of what we talked about all week,” the Hanna coach said. “It was different this time. It didn’t faze our players that they were down. There was no panic or anything. They were just ready to get back out onto the field. They came out and played after that. It was definitely a tough, physical ballgame like we expected them to be.”

The victory was Hanna’s eighth in a row and its first in the playoffs since 1996, when it bested Mission High in the Class 5A Division I bi-district playoffs.

Now the Golden Eagles turn their sights to the area round, where they take on the Eagle Pass Eagles out of 29-6A in the area round, slated for a 3 p.m. start at the University of Incarnate Word’s Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium in San Antonio.

Eagle Pass (9-2) presents another challenge for Hanna with its size and speed, but that’s nothing new for Guess and company.

“It’s going to be a lot of what we’ve seen this year,” he said. “We’ve been outsized a lot this year, and we’ve been able to persevere through that thanks to our strength and conditioning and that certainly helps. We’re looking forward to this challenge. We know they knocked off a district champion and would like nothing more than to knock off another district champion. We’re definitely going to make sure our kids are prepared and go and give it our best shot.”

In Class 5A division I, both Pace and Brownsville Veterans Memorial were taken down in bi-district action.

Pace had no answers for Corpus Christi Ray as the Vikings gave up 469 yards and 42 points, and managed just a 2-yard Brandon Zapata touchdown run late in the game.

Pace ended the season losing three of its last four games.

Brownsville Veterans fell at Corpus Christi Veterans for the second season in a row, 44-14.

The Chargers racked up 375 yards of offense despite being without junior starting quarterback Liam Longoria, but managed just two scores. Senior quarterback Rolando Izeta stepped in and threw for 270 yards on 22 of 29 passing.

The Chargers finished 7-4 and lost three of their last four games.

Running back Jose Moreno rushed for 87 yards and two scores to lead the way.

In TAPPS Division II, St. Joseph Academy lost at Houston Second Baptist 41-7.

The Bloodhounds were 2-8 this season.

By FREDDY GONZALEZ and KEVIN NARRO

Staff Writer

The La Feria Lions enjoyed a thrilling 28-25 bi-district victory over Beeville Jones on Friday evening.

The Lions were trailing 19-14 at the half before outscoring the Trojans 14-6 in the second to earn their second area-round berth during the past four years.

“Our kids just battled all night and we got two big fourth-down stops at the end of the game, and we were able to get a big bi-district win for our program,” coach Oscar Salinas said. “Our seniors have done a good job of leading us and making the big plays, but it was just one of those games that could have gone either way.

“At the end we just made one more play than they did.”

La Feria quarterback Dorian Hernandez had a night to remember for the Lions. The senior passed the ball for 153 yards and one touchdown on 15 of 22 attempts, and he rushed for another 167 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries.

Wide receiver Darius Hernandez hauled in 69 yards on five receptions, and Noah Conde caught the ball five times for 48 yards and one touchdown.

After consecutive setbacks in the bi-district round (2016, 2017), the La Feria Lions are back in a scenario Salinas and the Lions found themselves in three seasons ago in 2015, when La Feria fell to China Springs.

“We’re probably coming into the game healthier that we have ever been,” Salinas said. “We had that week off before this game and we got some kids back, and the kids are excited to be playing another week.

“You can’t count out this team, because this team is united and we are going to get ready this week, and we are going to be to play a really good Needville team, but we are not going to back down.”

The Rio Hondo Bobcats are back to back bi-district champions after a 37-20 win over Ingleside in the class 4A DII bi-district round Friday night in Los Fresnos.

Up next is a date with Cuero. The ’Cats will meet the Gobblers at 7:30 p.m. next Friday at Phil Danaher Field in Calallen.

“I thought the offensive line played well. Jake Rhyner and Ben Flores led the way,” Rio Hondo coach Rocky James said. “With the way Danny Vasquez ran the ball last night, it kept the offense going.”

Against Ingleside, the Bobcats’ defense came up with a few key stops and forced turnovers.

“The defense made some big stops for us down the stretch,” James said. “Joey Ortega, Troy Macias, Gabriel Martinez and Justin Flores were all big for us defensively.”

In Class 6A, San Benito will meet PSJA North in the area round at 2 p.m. Friday at PSJA Stadium.

The ’Hounds steamrolled Edinburg High 46-20 on Friday and, on Saturday, the Raiders beat Laredo United South 25-17 to punch their ticket to the area round. The bi-district win is a first for third-year coach Marcus Kaufmann.

“From here on out, it will take a perfect game to try and give yourself a chance to be in the game in the fourth quarter,” ’Hounds coach Dan Gomez said.

By KEVIN NARRO

Staff Writer

SAN PERLITA — At this weekend’s 9th annual San Perlita Lettermans Club Tournament, the Trojans learned much more than the Xs and Os of basketball.

San Perlita was tested by a tough Weslaco IDEA team and put forth a gut-check performance behind Julian Herrera and Tige Johnson.

After multiple lead changes during the second half and each team answering the other’s shots, it was a late 7-2 run that put the Trojans ahead 77-70 with less than two minutes left in regulation. That helped seal a 78-73 win in the gold bracket, securing a third-place tournament finish.

During the final minutes, Herrera hit a 3, and Johnson sealed the win with a late bucket and shot at the free throw line. The Trojans displayed mental toughness and played physical for four quarters, and rebounded after their loss to the Tarpons in the semifinals earlier in the day.

It is something Trojans coach Nataniel Garza saw as a plus moving forward for his club.

“We had two tough games today, we played a tough Port Isabel team, and what I was concerned with, how would we bounce back after a tough loss?” Garza said. “What the kids showed me today was that they have true character, and they showed that they are able to bounce back physically and mentally. What impressed me the most was that we played tougher and harder than we did earlier today, the kids took it personal and they wanted it and wanted to bounce back, and they did that tonight.”

Herrera, a senior, had a key hand in the win and throughout the tournament.

“I feel great right now. We all came out and played hard, and we all hustled,” Herrera said. “This was the toughest and most physical game we have played all year. (Weslaco Idea was) tough.”

San Perlita went 3-1 over the weekend, with wins against Rio Hondo, Monte Alto.

Along with Johnson and Herrera, junior EJ Nieto found his groove from three-point land. Nieto netted 16 points and nailed four 3s on the night.

“We did well this weekend,” Nieto said. “We learned that we as a team can bounce back together after a loss. I also learned if I keep shooting I will be able to hit my shots. This game was close tonight, and we all wanted it and it showed. At first I wasn’t hitting my shots, but coach wanted me to keep shooting and I listened to him, and I just kept shooting.”

Rio Hondo, on the flip side, went 2-2 over the tournament. The young Bobcats picked up wins against Monte Alto on Thursday and dropped their second game to San Perlita.

The Bobcats bounced back with a 60-34 win over Bishop to wrap up tournament play.

“We enjoyed coming to this tournament, there is always great competition,” Bobcats coach Mike Alvarez said. “Our goal was to get better and get a lot of guys playing time. We have two freshmen on our team, and we are working on getting them accustomed to playing with the older guys on the team.”

Against Bishop, Jabez Villarreal scored 22 points, and Daniel Garcia netted 11 points in the win.

Rio Hondo next travels to Santa Rosa at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.

By KEVIN NARRO

Staff Writer

SAN BENITO — The San Benito Greyhounds shook off a fumble, missed field goal and penalties during the first quarter, and leaned on the rushing attack of senior quarterback Jacob Cavazos and sophomore running back Kyler Castilleja in a 46-20 Class 6A Division I bi-district win over Edinburg High on Friday night at Bobby Morrow Stadium.

“It is just a matter of the kids adjusting to the moment,” San Benito coach Dan Gomez said. “You always have kids where this is their first playoff game as a varsity football player, and we always say whoever adapts to the atmosphere first will have more positives that negatives.”

The ’Hounds have now won four straight bi-district titles and will meet the winner of the game between Laredo United South or PSJA North. The two will meet at 5 p.m. today.

“For us seniors, this is a great feeling,” Cavazos said. “At first we were a little nervous, but it was more excitement than anything. Our guys all stepped up and pulled through. We didn’t want our season to be over.”

After Castilleja broke off a 67-yard run, the ’Hounds missed a field goal and later fumbled a punt to give the ball back to Edinburg High.

After a defensive stop, Castilleja put the ’Hounds on the board with a 12-yard run.

San Benito’s defense made big play after big play and stopped, Edinburg High on fourth-and-1. During the first half, the ’Hounds’ defense yielded just 54 yards of offense.

On the ensuing drive, Cavazos scored a 31-yard touchdown and, on both scores, the ’Hounds went for two and converted, giving San Benito a 16-0 lead in the final seconds of the first quarter.

During the second quarter, the ’Hounds looked more like the team to which fans have come accustomed.

“As the kids settled into the game, we were able to get going.” Gomez said.

The ’Hounds racked up a safety, and Cavazos ran for a score and displayed his ability to extend the play when he rolled out of the pocket and hit a wide-open Mitch Guajardo for a 22-yard score.

The 16-point second quarter is what San Benito needed to help keep the Bobcats at bay.

On the night, Castilleja ran for 113 yards and three scores, and Cavazos ran for 127 yards to go along with two rushing touchdowns and one passing.

“We always tell (Kyler) to not run like a sophomore. Tonight he ran the ball well. We know what he is capable of and once we knew we got things going on offense, we know we have the kids to make things happen,” Gomez said.

District 31-6A’s leading rusher, Hearlin Benavides, wrapped up his career with a 240-yard, three-touchdown performance for the Bobcats.

With the bi-district win, the ’Hounds are 5-0 at home in the playoffs under Gomez.

“The community is great and the fans are fantastic, they are very passionate and prideful in their kids and the athletic programs, so we do our best to play our best for them, and the kids know that and take pride in it,” Gomez said.

By FREDDY GONZALEZ

Staff Writer

DONNA — Raymondville’s Jacob Posas had a night to remember in the team’s Class 4A Division II bi-district game against the Orange Grove Bulldogs.

The senior quarterback passed for 197 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed for another 62 yards and one TD on nine carries as the Bearkats handily defeated the Bulldogs 48-16 on Friday evening at Bennie LaPrade Stadium.

“(Posas) has been big for us all year long,” Cantu said. “He’s been running good and that has been our bread and butter, but (Orange Grove) started putting a lot of people in the box, so we had to throw it. All year long, I’ve always said that if we need to throw the ball I know we can, but what poise he had tonight, just waiting for the open receiver to get open, and he made some big passes and put them right on the money.”

All season, the Raymondville coach has stressed one word: believe. After picking up its ninth consecutive victory, it is safe to say Cantu has the team believing.

“We believe we have a special group,” Cantu said. “We want to keep playing, and we are going to continue to work hard and put together the best game we can, and just go and try to do it again next week.”

Next week brings another big challenge for the Bearkats in Navarro, which defeated Devine 34-30. The teams will meet in the Class 4A Division II area round (location to be determined Saturday morning).

From the get-go, the Bearkats took control of the game. Posas found Xavier Ledesma on a 26-yard touchdown that jump-started the offensive attack, and they never looked back.

After the first encounter between Raymondville and Orange Grove (Week 6) was decided by three points, the Bearkats wanted to make sure that didn’t happen again. Enter Posas again: just one minute after throwing his first TD of the night, the senior scrambled out of the box for a 35-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 6:47 remaining in the first.

As fast as the Bearkats broke out with 14 unanswered points, the offense went silent just as fast. Justin Cantu made sure the silence didn’t last long. With 8:41 remaining in the second quarter the junior intercepted a pass and went 50 yards for his first touchdown of the night (Cantu finished the night with two TDs).

Defensively, the Bearkats were a nightmare for the Bulldogs’ offense. Raymondville finished the night with five interceptions, three in the first half alone.

With a 24-0 lead, Raymondville began the second half just as it started the first: with the foot on the gas. Posas and the Bearkats outscored Orange Grove 24-16 during the second half of the game.

GAME NOTES: Raymondville’s Zaraivion Armendarez also had a good performance. The sophomore finished the evening with 95 yards rushing and a 73-yard touchdown on six carries, one reception for a 43-yard TD, and two interceptions. … Four different Bearcats finished the night with an interception. Deion Castillo, Posas and Cantu had one apiece.