STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
After quietly becoming one of just three Rio Grande Valley teams to finish the 2019 regular season with one loss or fewer, the Raymondville Bearkats are chomping at the bit for the chance to improve upon last season’s abrupt second-round exit in a 35-27 loss to Geronimo Navarro.
Standing in Raymondville’s way before a potential rematch with the Panthers is a bi-district matchup with Corpus Christi West Oso.
The Bearkats (8-1, 3-0 16-4A DII) have won back-to-back District 16-4A Division II titles and are a combined 26-5 in the past three seasons. Raymondville has not lost since its season opener against La Feria on Aug. 30.
The Bearkats are 6-0 in their last six meetings with the Bears (4-6, 2-3 15-4A DII). Most recently, Raymondville defeated West Oso 38-10 in a 2017 regular-season road tilt.
The Raymondville offense has been firing on all cylinders since sophomore Jayson Cantu took over under center against Orange Grove on Oct. 5. Coach Frank Cantu’s squad boasts a positive point differential of 252, but West Oso has allowed 20 more points than it has scored this season.
Raymondville will rely upon familiar faces, namely a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in senior Justin Cantu (1,006 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns) and ZaRaivion Armendarez (1,364 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns), as well as up-and-coming sophomore receiver Nathan Mungia (seven catches for 72 yards). Also, Armendarez is the team’s leading receiver, with 425 yards and 16 receptions.
“I think we’ve just all come together and meshed well together,” Jayson Cantu said of his squad’s offensive approach. “(When I became the starter) I had to step up as a leader and command the offense.”
Defensive end/middle linebacker Dylan Ramirez will continue to anchor the Bearkats on the other side of the ball. Raymondville’s defense allowed just 215 yards per game during the regular season.
“It was tough (coming into the season) because we lost a lot of guys (last year),” Ramirez said. “But we know we’re a dangerous group and what we’re capable of. We can turn (the intensity) up, and we’re very powerful and quick.”
During its regular-season finale, Raymondville dispatched Progreso 50-6, and West Oso defeated Ingleside 28-13 to claw its way into the playoffs as the fourth seed in District 15-4A Division II.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight from Burnett Stadium in Raymondville.