By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
KINGSVILLE — One year ago the Raymondville Bearkats defeated Kingsville King for the first time since 2009. In front of an always tumultuous home crowd, the Bearkats eased by the Brahmas 35-21 before the beginning of a grueling 16-4A Division II district schedule.
But that was last year.
This year Raymondville travels to Kingsville (tonight at 7:30) to face the Brahmas (2-2) on their home field which also happens to be the home of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Javelinas.
With a non-district record of 2-0 the Bearkats have been idle for the past two weeks and before the team steps on the field tonight the count will be up to 22 days.
However Raymondville head coach Frank Cantu has been hard at work keeping his guys focused on the long road ahead.
“I have never been in that situation before where you have two weeks instead of one bye week,” said Raymondville head coach Frank Cantu. “But I think we made the most of it and we practiced well. We slowed things down and went back to basics.
“We saw some of the things we need to work on and in the end I really think it’s going to benefit us rather than hinder us.”
For Kingsville King, defense has been the key to the team’s early success. In each of the Brahmas’ first four games the defense has forced three turnovers.
However the defense has been far from perfect, most notable by the fact that King has given up 81 points this season.
Offensively, the Brahmas have been a team looking for an identity. One which second year head coach Teddy Carrier might have found in quarterback Michael Carrales.
After coming on in the second half of last week’s 13-7 win over Robstown, Carrales’ first play was a 72-yard touchdown run.
Indications are that Carrier might be inclined to rotate the two quarterbacks against the Bearkats.
LA VILLA AT BRUNI:
The Cardinals earned a much deserved 43-25 victory over rivals Santa Rosa last week and head coach Shawn Alvarez let the team celebrate it for 24 hours before getting back to work.
Tonight comes another stern measuring stick against state-ranked Bruni. The Bagers (4-0) are ranked 8th in Associated Press’ 2A high school poll, and for a good reason.
Last season Bruni went three deep in the playoffs and most of the teams top performers return for another run at the postseason this year. This season the Bagers have outscored their opponent 170-21
Although at 1-3 (record), La Villa opened a lot eyes with last weeks win. Especially its offense.
Throughout the first four games, the Cardinals’ have rushed for a staggering 1,632 yards. Fullback Ramiro Cantu has 555 yards on 86 carries, while Mac Perez has 527 yards (71 carries) and Jacob Salazar has run for 418 yards.