FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
LA FERIA — Coming into Week 6 of Rio Grande Valley football, it was clear that the Rio Hondo Bobcats could score, and score a lot. In fact, during the past three games, the Bobcats had scored more than 50 points per game.
However, Friday night against the La Feria Lions, points came at a premium.
The Bobcats scored two field goals and one touchdown, but thanks in large part to the defense, that was all Rio Hondo needed as it walked into Lions Stadium and walked away with a signature 14-7 victory over La Feria.
“I saw us really come together, and I think this was the football that will take us to the next level,” Rio Hondo coach Rocky James said. “We played a great defensive night, giving up only seven points to a really good football team, because (La Feria) shut us down really well and they played fantastic.”
“We scored only 14 points on offense tonight and (La Feria) did a great job, but I think this was a signature win for us against a really good undefeated football team.”
Rio Hondo didn’t score a lot, but then again it didn’t need to. Defensively, the Bobcats played lights out during the first half of the game, giving up just 50 yards.
“Our defense played terrific,” James said. “Our defense knew they had to come in here and show these guys that we do have a defense. We played very bad last week (during a 55-42 win over Grulla), but we wanted to prove that we had a really good defense in Rio Hondo.”
The defense ended the evening with two big interceptions that changed the momentum of the game. In total, the Bobcats’ defense allowed just 200 yards of offense.
With a 6-0 lead at the half, momentum was on Rio Hondo’s side for most of the evening. It was not until the third quarter that momentum swung to the Lions’ side of the field. After Dorian Hernandez found Noah Conde for a big 37-yard reception, Hernandez found sophomore Chris Diaz two plays later in the end zone for the game’s first touchdown of the night.
However, the celebration was short-lived for La Feria. With 10:49 remaining in the fourth, Rio Hondo’s Danny Vasquez found space up the middle for a 33-yard touchdown.
“That was a huge play, and I think that really changed the momentum,” James said. “After that we really never lost the momentum, and momentum is everything in a football game. So keeping that momentum kept the defense fired up to keep the lead, and I think that was all we needed.”
With the win, Rio Hondo improves to 6-0 overall. Meanwhile, the Lions took their the first loss of the season, falling to 5-1.
Next week, the Bobcats have a bye week before heading to Raymondville to take on the Bearkats (5-1). The Lions also have a bye week before taking on Kingsville King.