STEFAN MODRICH | Staff Writer
Having a new player step up during a pivotal moment is often one of the hallmarks of a balanced team.
For La Feria, that has meant the emergence of Angel Garcia down the stretch, most recently in a 63-42 bi-district round win over La Vernia to open the 2019 University Interscholastic League playoffs.
The junior running back became the team’s leading rusher with 884 total yards on the ground after Dorian Hernandez’s brief absence due to injury.
Garcia ran for 38 yards on 14 carries and a 5-yard touchdown to get the District 16-4A Division I champions on the board first in the victory over the Bears.
“It was really special,” Garcia said of his touchdown run, the first of nine on the night for the Lions. “Because that’s what got the whole team moving. … Dorian told me to get us a touchdown, and as I pushed through, my offensive line gave me a big hole, and I just took it. “
La Feria coach Oscar Salinas said his team’s confidence and trust in each other has paid dividends and allowed his players to seek continuous improvement.
“They play hard for each other,” Salinas said. “It’s a really united team. And when you have the success (we’ve had) you have to have that. And we have it (now). They have a lot of confidence in Angel to get it done, he’s a power back.”
Dereck Perez, one of La Feria’s most versatile offensive weapons, had 10 catches for 176 yards and four touchdowns to lead the way for the Lions (11-0). The dynamic one-two punch at receiver with Perez and Caleb Flores (207 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns) has now been complemented by an equally potent duo at running back in Avishai Dickerson and Garcia.
“I’ve got speed,” Perez said. “Caleb’s got height. (Either one of us) pose a dual threat.”
Hernandez, the orchestrator and facilitator of the La Feria offensive machine, had a typically brilliant performance against La Vernia. He completed 72 percent of his pass attempts for seven touchdowns and 438 yards through the air.
The list of reliable targets for Hernandez seems to keep growing. Salinas noted that Chris Diaz and Dario Sanchez have also chipped in to help provide the offense with even more depth and balance, especially after the bye week allowed La Feria’s injured players to rest up.
“We’re balanced and we’re healthy,” Salinas said. “The most important thing is that we’re healthy. We distribute the ball to whoever gets open or according to the matchup, and the call directs the quarterback to his read. I think that’s what helped us last week, Dereck had the better matchup and Dorian did a good job of getting him the ball.”
Many of the Lions have, at one point or another, addressed their cohesion and chemistry as one of the most important factors for their success.
“I trust them, and I trust Dorian most of all,” Garcia said. “Every game, Dorian always tells me what he wants me to do for him, and I accomplish it. Either get him outside to get him a free pass, or for me to get the first down.”