FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
RAYMONDVILLE — Frank Cantu’s message to the team this week was simple: “Just keep playing the way we’ve been playing.”
After dropping their first game of the season to Rio Hondo three weeks ago, the Raymondville Bearkats got right back on track, defeating the Port Isabel Tarpons 22-7 and Orange Grove 20-0 to finish the regular season at 9-1.
Now the focus shifts to the playoffs and their bi-district opponents – the 7-2 Sinton Pirates.
“We are playing very well right now so we just have to keep playing the way we’ve been playing,” said Raymondville head coach Frank Cantu. “Concentrate on making good decisions and keep doing some of the things that we’ve been doing because it’s been working, and I think the kids have confidence in that. There have been some years in the past where we have lost the last ball game and to go into the playoffs right after a loss is not the same.
“Now we’re caring a little bit of momentum so we’re hoping that momentum is going to carry us this next game.”
And while the Bearkats might be the underdogs heading into their first round clash against the Pirates today, the team hasn’t stopped believing in one thing — themselves.
“I remember last year we played Cuero and we lost pretty bad and again my sophomore year against Sinton,” said senior Darian Cortez. “But one thing that has stuck with me was what Coach (Cantu) always told me, ‘Tough times don’t last, but tough people do,’ and I take that to heart.
“This senior group, we’re always in the weight room and always working hard, always coming in after practice for drills just to try and get better. But with this team, I’m sure we could beat them and hopefully come out on top.”
Senior linebacker Fred Rodriguez agreed with Cortez that this year’s team is different and confidence is key.
“We have a small group of seniors, but to us we have the greatest group,” said Rodriguez. “Coach always says that we’re going to go as far as the seniors take us and look where it has gotten us. Sinton has a couple of good players but nothing that we can’t handle because to us it is just another bump in the road.”
Sinton comes into tonight’s contest with an offense that has produced an impressive 3,404 yards. Senior running back Tristan Canales leads the Pirates’ rushing attack with 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns on 117 carries while senior quarterback Colt Gorman has kept opposing secondaries busy with 1,472 yards passing with 19 touchdowns.
“We just have to keep our mind straight and just keep going 100 percent,” said senior wide receiver Justin Noyola.
“We have to stay focused and just stay pumped up for the game,” added Rudy Ambriz. “Defensively, we’re going to have to shut them down and count on our offense to produce some points.”