KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
RIO HONDO— Over the last two seasons, Rio Hondo has had hung their hat on their explosive offenses. In 2017, the offense was led by quarterback Tyler Bush, last year it was QB Josiah Ortega.
Along with the offense comes the hard-nosed defense. The Bobcats take a lot of pride in their defense and the three mainstays on this year’s unit have been seniors Sam Villines, who is a hybrid defender, Derek Castellanos, the X-Factor, and hard-hitting Joey Ortega.
The trio has been on the varsity since their sophomore year and has been around some great Rio Hondo teams. Each year, they have been able to win a playoff game and have a district title under their belt. This year, the three have helped get the Bobcats back into the playoffs and for a third straight year are in the area round.
“This is an experience, especially being able to be back in the second round,” Ortega said. “We will get a chance to play against Navarro, who we played two years ago. They kicked our butt, so this year, we are looking to put it all out on the field.”
The Bobcats 2019 season has been a roller coaster with a 2-1 district record and watched Raymondville defend their district title for a second straight year. However, two key turning points have been the reason why the Bobcats are still padding up in November.
The first turning point came on Oct. 18th, when Rio Hondo lost 35-21 to Raymondville and saw their district title hopes take a hit. Since then, the Bobcats have won three straight and are playing much cleaner football than they have the first few months of the season.
“After Raymondville, I was upset and everyone else was upset, too, and since then we were able to turn it up.” Villines said.
The second and biggest boost the Bobcats got was the return of Castellanos. Castellanos missed six weeks of action with a sprained knee. Castellanos returned to the field on Oct. 1.
“I think Derek being out really hurt the defense, he is a great football player and wreaks havoc,” said Rio Hondo coach Rocky James. “After he came back these last three games, he has dominated and has helped the defense play well. We have been stingy when it comes to points with him in the lineup. He isn’t the biggest guy, but he plays with a lot of heart and intensity.”
Castellanos, who plays defensive end, is the nucleus to the defense with his pass rush and ability to have a nose for the football.
“We didn’t have Derek for most of the year because of an injury,” Villines said. “When we got him back, we were a whole other team. He is intense and we just play so much better when he is on the field with us. Getting Derek back was a turning point for us. I feel so much more comfortable with him and Joey on the field.”
Against Orange Grove in last week’s bi-district round, Castellanos was a tackling machine, recording two sacks and 17 tackles.
“I would say we are playing better,” Castellanos said. “We have really come together as a team and as a unit. We are coming out and knowing what we have to do and making plays.”
The Bobcats will meet Geronimo Navarro in the class 4A DII area round Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Buc stadium in Corpus Christi.