By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
La Feria’s defense has done its part in getting the Lions to the third round of the playoffs.
It’s a solid defense that led District 16-4A Division I this season by allowing approximately 210 yards and 15 points per game.
“It’s a great honor to play for this team,” said Jacob Garza, a senior and two-year starter at middle linebacker for the Lions. “It’s our expectation to have a great team overall and to fulfill the legacy that the seniors who came before us left behind. It’s just a great feeling (to play for the Lions).”
This is the first time in 10 years the Lions have advanced to the third round.
District 16-4A Division I champion La Feria (11-1) goes against District 15-4A Division I tri-champion La Vernia (11-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium. It’s a regional semifinal matchup with the winner playing Sealy or Liberty Hill next week in the fourth round.
“Our defense has been outstanding all year long,” La Feria coach Oscar Salinas said. “Early on this season, the defense carried the team until the offense with our young ‘O-Line’ started clicking. It’s not a big defense (we have size-wise), but they’re quick and they get to the ball. We’ve done a great job with our tackling this year.”
The players all agree it’s a defense that is making an impact.
“The hustle and heart we play with (is what stands out to me),” Garza said. “Every game we want to get after the quarterback. Our energy is always up, and that leads to turnovers, which makes us feel good.”
Added teammate Victor Luna, a fellow senior and middle linebacker who is a three-year starter, “We’ve had some new faces (in the lineup) over the last few years, and I think this defense we have right now is the best and has really good chemistry. It can help us go far. Coming into the offseason (after the 2017 season) all of us kind of had a bond with each other and we knew what we needed to do. We had the feeling it would be a good team (this season). We knew we were going to be at our best on defense.”
Garza leads the Lions in tackles with 110 stops (58 solo and 52 assisted). Close behind him on the tackle chart are Luna with 109 tackles (47 solo and 62 assisted), outside linebacker Roberto Fraga with 109 tackles (59 solo and 50 assisted) and defensive end Aja Hernandez with 107 tackles (55 solo and 52 assisted).
“Being with these guys brings a lot of joy to me,” said Fraga, a senior and three-year starter. “I’ve known these guys since I was a freshman, so the bond is definitely there. We just love playing together on this team.
“We do well because we’re a second-half team,” Fraga added. “Sometimes we may start a little slow, but after the first or second drive we can really get it going and shut down opposing offenses.”
The Lions have made 15 interceptions on the season with Garza’s five picks leading the team. La Feria’s defense has recorded 37 sacks during the season for a combined 100 yards in losses. Hernandez is the team’s sack leader with 13.
“I feel we have a great connection with each other, and over time, we’ve been able to accomplish some great things,” said Hernandez, a senior and two-year starter. “We have great chemistry.
“Speaking for the (defensive) line, we always get a good rush on the quarterback, and our linebackers and defensive backs do a great job by doing what they’ve got to do,” Hernandez added. “We have great leadership on the team.”
The Lions’ success is being shared throughout the community.
“It brings joy to everyone (to see us do well),” Hernandez said. “We’re a small school, but it’s letting everyone know that we can make a great impact on everyone around us.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world to be out here (on the football field) every day with my brothers,” he added. “We’re doing what we love.”