By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
The Los Fresnos Falcons equaled last season’s mark with a win in the bi-district round.
That doesn’t mean the Falcons are ready to call it a season.
Los Fresnos hits the road to face Del Rio in the Class 6A Division I area-round game tonight at Wildcat Stadium in Calallen .
“We just have to make sure we get better. We can’t be satisfied with one victory in the playoffs,” Los Fresnoscoach Clint Finley said. “We have to continue to work, and earn every victory and everything we get. No one’s going to give you anything, especially not Del Rio. They’re fired up and playing at the top of their game.”
The Rams took down District 30-6A champion McAllen Memorial 35-20 after scoring 23 unanswered points during the second half in the victory.
Finley says Del Rio ’s record is deceiving this season.
“You can’t be fooled by their record. They’re a good football team,” he said of the Rams’ 6-4-1 overall record. “They’ve played some good football teams and they’re very talented.”
Del Rio strength comes from its defense, which allows 19 points per game. The Rams spread offense has picked up recently during its three-game winning streak.
“They have a very stout defense, itskind of been their strength (this season),” Finley said. “The offense is coming into their own as of late, so we’re focused on it all, everything.”
The Falcons’ offense has averaged 37 points per game of late, most of it coming from their rushing attack. Last week against Edinburg North, Los Fresnosrushed for 353 yards and five touchdowns.
The Falcons’ defense will be need to pay attention to Walt Ashely. The Rams’ quarterback threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran for 83 yards and two more scores against the Mustangs last week.
Finley said the team is focused on themselves and what they need to win.
“It doesn’t matter who you play,” he said. “If you don’t go out there and do the things it takes to win, you’re going to be in trouble.”
Finley wasn’t sure what type of game he expected against the Del Rio, unsure if it would be a defensive struggle or a high-scoring affair. But he knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
“You just never know how (the game’s) going to go,” he said. “But it’s going to take our best effort of the year.”
Del Rio coach Frenchey McCrea was unable to be reached for comment.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter, he’s @andrewmcrum.