ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Dorian Hernandez is everything the La Feria Lions could ask for in a quarterback.
The 5-foot-11, 163-pound junior has led the Lions to an 11-1 record and to the third round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs.
District 16-4A Division I champion La Feria 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. The winner plays Sealy or Liberty Hill next week.
This is the first time in 10 years the Lions have reached the third round of the playoffs, so there is plenty of excitement on the team, at school and in the community.
“It’s an extraordinary feeling (to be a member of this team and be the QB),” said Hernandez, who is a two-year starter. “We’ve come together a lot throughout this year, and we’ve accomplished a bunch of things that are even making school history. I feel like we can keep going as far as we can.
“I feel that I have improved over the season and even since the summer and last season,” Hernandez said. “I think that I’m leading the team pretty well, and I know that I have the trust of my teammates and coaches. They’re behind me, and I’m willing to go to work with them every week.”
Hernandez is a dual-threat QB as a passer and runner. This season he has completed 136 of 242 passing attempts for 1,535 yards with 16 touchdowns compared to six interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing with 1,255 yards on 188 carries for a 6.7-yard average per rush. Hernandez has scored 16 TDs on the ground to lead the team as well.
“When you can have a dual-threat quarterback like Dorian, it’s a blessing,” said La Feria coach Oscar Salinas, now in his seventh season directing the Lions. “He’s gotten better throughout the season. He started off a little slow, but once district came, he began playing really well. To have him is great. Having a quarterback like him is one of the reasons we’re where we’re at, I believe.
“You have to have a good quarterback who can lead your team, and that’s what he does,” Salinas added. “Dorian is a good leader, and he’s making a lot of good plays for us.”
One of the things that is working well for the Lions on offense this season is Hernandez’s ability to spread the ball around to multiple receivers. There are four La Fera pass catchers with 24 or more receptions. Darius Hernandez, a senior wideout and no relation to Dorian, leads the Lions with 38 catches for 456 yards and three TDs.
“Just the way Dorian moves the ball with his arm and his feet is indescribable,” Darius Hernandez said. “The guy is good, you have to give him that. He has a big future ahead of him. I know he’ll do great things in the future.
“The great plays that he can make through the air and on the ground, it’s just great,” the senior receiver added. “The way he is as a quarterback with the abilities he has is impressive.”
Dorian Hernandez said he’s more comfortable playing quarterback this season after having had one year of varsity experience as a sophomore, when the Lions went 6-4 and advanced one round in the playoffs in 2017.
“It’s easier for me this season,” he said. “I’ve been playing quarterback since I was in seventh grade. I feel I’ve been improving.”
To be a part of the 2018 La Feria squad means everything, the standout QB said. For him and others, it’s been quite a season to remember thus far.
“I want to thank everyone for believing in us, coming out to our games and encouraging us to go as far as we can,” he said.