KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RIO HONDO — The Rio Hondo Bobcats will lean on their youth during the 2019 season.

While the Bobcats have some key pieces returning to the mix, the season will be dictated by the youngsters, and whether or not they can grow over the course of the season.

The Bobcats have two returners on offense and four on defense. One question heading into the season will be the quarterback position. Rio Hondo has both Zachariah Rios, a sophomore, and junior Matt Trevino competing for the starting gig.

Throughout the summer the Bobcats did some growing up and gained confidence by reaching the state 7-on-7 tournament. Rio Hondo is hoping that mojo will carry over into the season.

“I think, as a whole, everyone is trying to catch up,” Rio Hondo coach Rocky James said. “I think our strong suit will be on defense because of the fact we have older guys on that side of the ball, and on offense we will have a lot of sophomores, which is fine, and they are a very talented sophomore group.”

Leading the way in that sophomore group is Rios, along with Ismael Rodriguez and Matthew Lopez. While the offense looks to find its stride, the Bobcats’ defense will be led by senior all-state linebacker Joey Ortega.

Ortega and fellow senior hybrid Sam Villines will anchor the Cats’ defense this season.

“I feel real good right now, and I’m excited to see what these young guys can do,” Ortega said. “As a senior, I’m leading by example and with my play. When I took the field for the first day of camp there were no nerves. I’m just excited and ready to play football.”

Teaming up with Ortega will be Trevino, who is looking to start at linebacker for the Bobcats. Trevino made quite the impression last season in the playoffs when he started for an injured Jesus Garay.

“I’m ready for either role, wherever coach needs me, that is where I will be,” Trevino said. “I just need to learn both sides of the ball. I feel great right now and my body is in great shape. My arm is feeling good and I feel great on the defensive side of the ball too. I’m just ready for the season to start.”

While the Bobcats are in a four-team district and automatically qualify for the playoffs, it is the district title that Rio Hondo will be shooting for. Standing in their way is rival Raymondville, the veteran team in the district this season.

“I feel the same as last year when it comes to this district, and it is tough,” James said. “I felt we had the better team last year and we didn’t prove it against Raymondville that night, and they just came out and beat us on both sides of the ball. This year I feel the same way, I think I have the better team but we will see when we get to that game and how our kids produce.”

Rio Hondo will kick off their season Aug. 30 at home against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

RAYMONDVILLE — Entering their early season match against rival Raymondville, Lyford coach Lisa Lancaster was looking for answers.

With six returners from last year’s squad, the young Lady Bulldogs may have found the right formula.

After settling in and taking the first set, Lyford trailed by as much as eight early in the second set only to regroup and rally for the win. The win in the second game fueled Lyford to a 25-19, 25-23, 25-19 win over Raymondville on Tuesday night.

“The kids did a lot better of sticking to what they said they were going to do,” Lancaster said. “They knew what they needed to do coming into the game and stuck true to what they said they were going to do, and we saw that especially in that third set. I think that came with the confidence and the kids sticking to their guns.”

Senior Kayleen May was the catalyst in the middle for the Lady Bulldogs. In the second set, Lyford kept plugging away and trimmed the lead 17-15 and 22-20 before taking their first lead of the match at 24-23.

May owes the rally to Lancaster, who called a timeout midway through the game that helped fuel the comeback.

“In that second set we just slowed things down, and we trusted each other and we communicated a lot better,” May said. “We were able to bring up our energy as well. We got down on ourselves early but we started cheering each other on and that’s when we found our grove. We had trailed early on in the match, and coach calling that timeout really helped us.”

Along with May, Karla Medina and Claire Gonzalez had a key hand in the win. Lyford is now 3-3 on the young season, with Tuesday night’s win their first true regular season match. Up next will be a home match at noon Saturday against Lasara.

“The first game we had a small issue with keeping the energy and communication,” Lancaster said. “Once we got the momentum on our side it was easier because they play well together. In practice they do really well.”

Raymondville, meanwhile, has three returning starters from last year and is rebuilding. The Lady Kats are 1-5 on the young season and travel to San Perlita on Saturday.

“We did not communicate well tonight, we have a young team. We have three returners from last year, and the rest of the girls do not have varsity experience,” Raymondville coach Norma Rodriguez said. “It is an adjustment and we are working on it, and it is tough with just three returning from last year.”

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — The Harlingen High Cardinals hit the field early Saturday morning with a little extra swagger.

It marked the first day for full contact in the state of Texas and also wrapped up the first week of football camps.

Harlingen High took full advantage of the full-pad day and held an intersquad scrimmage took get a first look at what to expect in 2019.

Leading the way for the Cardinals will be senior quarterback Jaime Galvan, who is in his second year at the helm. On Saturday, the southpaw displayed command of the huddle and showed improvement with his arm and legs.

“ This is Jaime’s senior year and he knows that, and he will tell you he is eager to get out there,” Harlingen High coach Manny Gomez said. “Today we took it easy, we blew the whistle when he would scramble, but he knows when the lights come on we are going to use him for sure, and we are going to have him run the ball to keep defenses honest. But the bottom line is, he is a competitor and his time will come.”

On Saturday, Galvan showed strong chemistry with his younger brother, Justin, who is a junior and will line up at wide receiver. On more than one occasion the Galvan connection was on display and will be something for Cardinals fans to keep tabs on.

Another bright spot was senior running back Rayden Berry. The physical runner broke off three straight first-down runs and helped balance the Cardinals’ attack. Berry looks to be the workhorse for the offense this fall.

“ Rayden worked extremely hard over the offseason, and it shows,” Gomez said. “I don’t think there is another kid in the state of Texas that has outworked him, and it shows. He is a physical runner and has balance along with his tremendous leadership, and that showed today.”

Harlingen High reached the playoffs last year as a No. 3 seed out of District 32-6A with a 3-2 district record. It will look to get back into the postseason, but Brownsville Hanna returns as the district champion and San Benito has won the previous two versions of the Battle of the Arroyo.

Big Red will open its season with a scrimmage against Weslaco High at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at home, and then opens the regular season at Sharyland Pioneer with the kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SANTA ROSA — The last time Monico Prado took the court was in 2017, when Santa Rosa reached the state tournament. Prado stepped away from basketball at that time, but two years later Prado will make his return to the hardwood.

On Friday, Prado signed his letter of intent to play basketball at Southwest Texas Junior College. Prado will be joining former teammate AB Lozoya, who signed to play at STJC last month. Prado plans to major in criminal justice.

“I visited the campus twice, and I did a couple of workouts there on campus,” said Prado. “It is a small campus, and everything is close by. There isn’t too much of a difference from Santa Rosa or A&M Commerce, but this is a blessing to sign and I’m excited. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I plan not to waste it.”

Prado spent the last two years attending Texas A&M Commerce but didn’t play basketball. Prado saw the opportunity at STJC as a way to get back onto the court and to keep focused on his schoolwork.

“I was just going to school and I thought about playing, but it didn’t work out,” Prado said. “I saw this as a chance to stay in school. I was losing interest in going to school, so I figured if I went to school and played the game I love … I went ahead and started putting in all the work and it is paying off.”

It was this summer when Prado fully decided to purse basketball, and he got back in the gym and started working toward a comeback.

“I got my break this summer with my coaches, and they helped me get back into shape and where I needed to be,” Prado said.

The plus side for Prado is he will be joining Lozoya, who missed one year of action and will make a return to the court this season. The two played together during their high school careers and most notably reached the state tournament in 2017.

“At first we didn’t know we would be going to the same school,” Lozoya said. “When the summer started, we both knew we wanted to play somewhere. Leo Lara’s dad wanted us to play and he did everything he could to help us, and he found a coach from McAllen that helped us reach out to some schools. We are lucky that we found a school that wanted both of us. We both thought it was a good place for us to be.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LA FERIA — The 2018 La Feria Lions turned heads and got the attention of the Rio Grande Valley.

The Lions broke out with an 11-win season along with a district title and a trip to the third round of the playoffs.

While the Lions did lose some key names on both sides of the ball, La Feria retooled with what they have returning.

On paper, the 2019 team can be just as special as they were one year ago.

La Feria returns nine on offense, including their entire offensive line and will return seven on defense.

“We are feeling good and we had a good day of practice today and we have everyone here,” said La Feria coach Oscar Salinas. “I’m proud of how the kids came in ready to work and they all came in good shape, so we have had a good camp so far.”

The bus starts and stops with senior quarterback Dorian Hernandez, who is in his third year as a starter and has plenty of game experience to lead the Lions in 2019.

Despite losing weapons like Noah Conde and Darius Hernandez to graduation, Hernandez will look to Caleb Flores as one of his go to guys this fall.

Out of the back field, the Lions will split carries with their junior duo of Avishai Dickerson and Angel Garcia.

“I wouldn’t say there were any nerves coming into my last year, it was more emotional because it was my last first day of practice,” Hernandez said. “There were some butterflies, but we are just excited for this season overall and I feel good.”

Heading into the new season, Salinas made it clear for his team not live off of last year’s success and for the 2019 team to find their own identity.

“Coach Salinas wants us to be our own team and for us to work hard and not to go back and depend on last year,” Hernandez said. “We are all working hard to get back to where we were. Just because we were on top last year, doesn’t mean we are going to be there this year we have to work for it and stay humble.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary will be a strong suite for the Lions with a pair of savvy veterans in corners Evan Avila and Isaiah Vento, who all have range and athleticism. At the safety position, Jaden Torres will play free safety and will be teamed up with Daniel Valencia at strong safety.

The question will be at the linebacker position.

La Feria will need to replace hard-hitting Robert Fraga and Jacob Garza.

“Defensively, our secondary will be our strong suite,” Salinas said. “All of them played last year except for one of our safeties. Our strength will be in the secondary early on until we get our defensive line and linebackers some experience.”

The Lions will meet Brownsville Hanna in a scrimmage on August 16 at Sams Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. La Feria will open their regular season August 30 with a blockbuster at Raymondville at 7:30 p.m.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LYFORD—While the season is just a few days old, it’s apparent 2019 just may be a special year when it comes to the QB position.

Last year Mission Veterans QB Landry Gilpin just about rewrote the record books and St. Joseph signal caller Kai Money posted monster number in 2017, making both standout under center in the RGV.

This year, there might not just be one or two QB’s that can sling it, but rather a handful of quarterbacks are poised to take the next step, to name just a few, Mission’s Jeremy Duran, Sharyland Pioneer’s Eddie Marburger, Harlingen High’s Jaime Galvan, Hanna’s Victor Campos, La Feria’s Dorian Hernandez and Lyford’s Cayleb Klostermann.

Of that group, Klostermann is the only junior and is entering his second year as Lyford’s quarterback.

While Lyford can get overlooked because of its 3A classification, there is plenty of reason to keep tabs on Klostermann and the Bulldogs this season.

Cayleb saw his older brother Layne take reps under center along with Chase Hinojosa during the 2017 season, so he is no stranger to what Lyford football means and has learned watching his brother and Hinojosa.

Last year, as a starter, Cayleb threw for 1,746 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for 390 yards on 107 carries and found pay dirt seven times. The junior gunslinger has the ability to throw over the top and can tuck it and run and has the versatility to roll out and throw on the run.

“Over the offseason, we hit the weight room,” Cayleb said. “This is one of the best off-seasons we had and everyone put on some muscle.”

While the nine interceptions may be a reason for concern, it is something the junior took a look at this past offseason and is hoping to limit.

“The jitters are gone and that just comes with experience and me playing,” Cayleb said. “No more sophomore mistakes. We are expecting big things this season and I feel this team can do what we did two years ago or maybe better. The expectations I have for this team are high. As for me, I spent some time learning coverages and learning the fundamentals of throwing. I threw nine picks last year and that is way too many, so I’m looking to cut down on that.”

Third-year head coach Israel Gonzalez has molded Cayleb and sees the growth and potential in his young quarterback and also feels this year can be his true breakout season.

“I truly do, he (Cayleb) is a student of the game,” Gonzalez said. “He does the little things that it takes to become an elite quarterback. He threw for 1,500 yards last year and ran for about 400 yards and we are expecting those numbers to go up.”

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SANTA ROSA — The 2018 Santa Rosa Warriors sneaked into the postseason last year.

They are looking to reach the postseason once again, but are hoping this year that the road to the playoffs will not be as difficult.

The Warriors will have their work cut out for them in 2019 with a few familiar faces returning to the black and gold.

The Warriors went 5-6 overall and 3-3 in District 16-3A Division I. Santa Rosa bowed out to Poth in the bi-district round. Tuesday marked the second day of practice, and while the teams have yet to put the pads on, the Warriors had a little pep in their step.

“ Now that it’s Day 2, some of the boys realized the season is here,” Warriors coach Hector Ayala said. “The kids are happy to be out here, and that is what makes it more exciting for the coaches. We stay positive and we motivate the kids, and they are responding well and not backing down.”

This fall, the Warriors will have to address the elephant in the room, and that is to replace star running back Ryan Mesa. Last year, Mesa ran wild for more than 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.

With Mesa gone, the Warriors will look to junior Jose Diaz-Mendez, who has some experience at the varsity level and took some snaps last season when the Warriors lined up in a two-running-back set.

“ (Jose) got some playing time last year, and he did a heck of a job for us,” Ayala said. “He is not Ryan but he is a different kind of runner, and he is very capable of making plays and I’m hoping he has a big year.”

Along with Diaz-Mendez will be senior Adam Cavazos. The right tackle and defensive end is the only returning offensive linemen this season.

“ We are young on the offensive line, and having plenty of skill positions will help out our offensive line, and we are making a few adjustments with our blocking scheme. We are a little small but quicker, and with Diaz-Mendez and his style of running I think we will still have a strong running game.”

One other question heading into the season is the quarterback position. Santa Rosa will have a position battle between senior Jose Ruiz and junior Reese Lara. Both alternated last year at the quarterback position, and now Ayala is hoping to have one of the two step into the role full-time.

“ They both did a good job last year and they fed off of each other,” Ayala said. “They are pushing each other right now and I told both of them I would like for one of them to win it, and I think that will help make the team better. Right now it is open, and they are showing it and pushing each other.”

The Warriors will open their season against Lyford on Aug. 30 at home.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN—The Harlingen Hive took the field Tuesday afternoon brimming with confidence and with a little bit of swagger.

One of those players is San Benito native Amanda Garza.

Like others, 26-year-old rookie has played a key role in the team’s success this season, but what separates Garza is what she does off the field.

Garza works for the U.S. Customs out of the Brownsville port of entry, serving that post for what will be two years in August.

“I had always wanted to join law enforcement,” Garza said. “Getting that job was a blessing for me.”

Garza, who grew up loving the sport of football and even played in junior high, got word about the Harlingen Hive through her teammate Selina Berlanga.

“I heard about the team from my girl Sel and I joined,” Garza said. “I grew up playing and always wanted to play when I was in high school. I really just missed the competition part of it.”

During the day, Garza takes on the rigorous schedule with Customs and deals with the dangers that come with it, but by night, she roams sideline to sideline for the Hive and sees the field as a way to forget about the everyday grind and a chance to get her football fix.

“Honestly I see this as my outlet,” Garza said. “It helps me relieve my stress from work and helps me forget about everything and I can just come out here and play and have fun with my team. We see so many crazy things at work, especially these days with everything we see, but to have this is an outlet for sure. I’m able to forget about everything we go through and just play.”

A normal day for Garza will begin with her going to work, working out at the gym and then hitting the practice field.

There have even been times where Garza gets out of work and will show up to a game.

“Every day you put the uniform on and you never know what is going to happen,” Garza said. “You never know who is coming through your lane and the good thing with customs is you always have someone with you. You are never alone; we call it the blue wave. You are never alone; someone is always going to be with you.”

Team owner Vanessa Ibarra had high praise about Garza and sees her as an inspiration to others around her.

“Amanda shows our team the epitome of leadership and never backing down,” Ibarra said. “As a first-year player, she has set the bar high for her teammates and for the next wave of rookies coming up in our league.”

On Saturday, the Hive put together a complete team effort as they thrashed the Costal Bend Legion 70-44 and punched their ticket to the IWFA title game against the Austin Ravens.

Garza who is new to the league, is humbled to have an opportunity to play for the league title.

“Right now I’m having so much fun,” said Garza. “I love these girls and I get along with them and they have my back and I have there back till the end. We are hoping to go out there this weekend and get the win.”

The Hive is back in the IWFA title game for a second year in a row. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at the Round Rock Multi-Purpose Complex.

By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

PALM VALLEY — La Feria alumnus Andy Cortez took the golf course Saturday morning with some extra emotion.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley commit has been a part of the South Texas Junior Golf Classic since he was 12 years old, but Saturday marked the start of Cortez’s final go-around in the tournament.

“Honestly, there were plenty of emotions when I took the course today,” Cortez said. “This was the first tournament I ever played in as a kid and I started off here, and for me to know this is my last time here it is pretty emotional. And (today) will be the last time I tee off in this tournament, and I’m just trying to post the best scores I can.”

Cortez who has won the tournament twice, got off to a roaring start and led after Day 1 of the STJGC, shooting a 68 and sitting at 4-under par.

“You expect some wind here in the Valley but there was no wind today, and it got hotter as the day went on. But it was perfect scoring conditions,” Cortez said.

Behind Cortez is Harlingen South’s Javi Vento who shot a 71 and is at 1-under. Parker Smith of Harlingen High shot 72 and is third. Tied for fourth are Edinburg High’s Ethan Galvan and Harlingen High’s Nate Newman, after each shot 77.

Newman and Cortez were the talk of the day, as the two locked horns on the back nine and answered each other’s shots throughout.

“We were going at it all afternoon on the back nine,” Cortez said of Newman. “He would get a birdie and I would answer with a birdie, and he was up and down for par, and he was keeping up with me and I was keeping up with him. At the end one of us was going to wear out, and thankfully I didn’t and I finished strong.”

Newman showed plenty of poise despite going up against one of the Valley’s best in Cortez. Newman will be a junior this coming school year and was up for the challenge.

“Today was fun. I enjoyed playing with Andy. I’m really good friends with him,” Newman said. “On the back nine was fun, too. On the front nine, I had a little bit of a speed bump, but I’m fine. It was a fun day. Andy makes me feel a little bit pressured, but it makes me get a better shot.”

On the girls side, Madison Ozuna is in first after shooting a 5-over-par 77. Tied for second are Valeria Ruiz-Franzoni and Mason Pena, who each shot 86, and Catherine Flores is in fourth after an 87.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — The Harlingen CISD search for a new athletic director is now over.

The district decided on Robert Davies, whose hiring was approved at a HCISD school board during a meeting Tuesday night.

Davies will be replacing long time athletic director Randy Cretors who retired last winter.

Davies, who is a native of Owasso, Oklahoma, brings 28 years of experience under his belt and is eager to get to work in Harlingen.

“Harlingen has a great history of success,” Davies said. “The people there are very passionate about their athletics and Dr. Cavazos does a great job and has a great reputation across the state. My wife and I are at a time where our kids are all grown and we wanted to try and do something different so I applied and I was fortunate enough to be selected.”

Davies has a bachelor’s degree of science from Missouri Southern State University and also has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas A&M Commerce.

His previous stop was at East View High School in Georgetown, where he was the campus coordinator and served as the head football coach before taking a position as the assistant athletic coordinator.

Davies began his coaching career in 1991, where he was a coach at North Eastern Oklahoma A&M junior college and then took a job in Owasso, Oklahoma, where he coached from 1993-2000.

In 2001 Davies began coaching at South Grande Prairie High School. In 2011, he helped open Georgetown High School and was the program’s first head football coach and campus coordinator.

“I have been to the (Rio Grande Valley) before, I’ve never lived here, but I have friends who are from the Valley and they speak highly of the Valley and love it there,” Davies said. “From the initial moment I got here, I had a really good feeling and met some really great people. What I’m most excited about are the people I will be able to work with and be around.”