STAFF REPORTS
La Feria has been firing on all cylinders during its 4-0 start.
And while the Lions are in good company with four rushers racking up at least 100 yards through the first month of the season, they have an additional dimension of which few other teams can boast as complement to a strong ground game — a pair of receivers with at least 300 yards apiece in senior Caleb Flores and junior Dereck Perez.
The wideouts have been the top targets for dual-threat quarterback Dorian Hernandez this season. Perez has four touchdowns, and Flores has hauled in three touchdown catches.
They played pivotal roles in La Feria’s first come-from-behind win over Mercedes, and have helped the Lions establish insurmountable leads in their other three victories.
Flores said his chemistry with Hernandez and the duo’s leadership going back to 7-on-7 helped establish trust between the veterans and the newcomers.
“We’ve showed (the younger players what happens) once we started making catches,” Flores said. “They’ll get pumped up to do the same, and it all translates.”
The result has been the emergence of younger players like sophomore Aaron Trevino, who was the hero against Mercedes with his 34-yard touchdown catch. It was made possible, of course, by a clutch reception from Flores on the previous play.
The Lions are so deep that even backup quarterback Dario Sanchez (six catches for 78 yards) has become a solid option out of the slot, and Chris Diaz, one of the four La Feria running backs with at least 100 yards, has proved himself a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield. Diaz has 38 yards on three catches this season.
“We have great receivers,” Flores said. “We can make plays, and Dorian trusts us.”
SHOOTOUT LOSS
The San Benito Greyhounds were put to another test this past Saturday in Laredo. San Benito lost a wild one, 45-37 against Laredo United.
San Benito is 2-2 on the year with wins over Victoria West and PSJA High. Of note, the Greyhounds’ offense has scored more than 30 points in three of its first four games.
Senior QB Smiley Silva threw for a season high in attempts during a 16-for-19 night, with 119 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
On the ground, Silva ran 22 times for 168 yards and two scores. Backing up Silva was junior running back Kyler Castilleja, who ran 19 times for 159 yards and also punched it in two times on the ground.
Sophomore receiver Jermaine Corbin had a breakout game with five catches for 61 yards.
The Greyhounds will hit the road once again this Saturday to take on Midland Lee. Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. Last year, the Rebels paid a visit to San Benito and walked away with a 49-0 win.
San Benito then has a Week 6 bye week. In Week 7, the Greyhounds kick off district play at Harlingen High in the traditional Battle of the Arroyo.
SPREADING ITS WINGS
After an 0-2 start to the season, the Hanna Golden Eagles have rattled off two straight victories, with the latest a 22-17 win at Sharyland High.
The difference in the tight game was sophomore Anthony Ambriz, who intercepted Sharyland High quarterback Benji Valdivia and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown, breaking a 15-15 tie early in the fourth quarter.
Hanna’s defense racked up five interceptions and recovered one fumble on the night.
That performance helped offset a sluggish outing by quarterback Victor Campos. The senior QB struggled through the air with three interceptions and 164 yards on a 10-of-26 passing night, but he did rush for the offense’s only two touchdowns.