FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
LA FERIA — The La Feria Lions have started the season on fire winning their first three games against Raymondville, Santa Rosa, and Mercedes. One reason the Lions have been so successful this season is due to senior Darius Hernandez.
Aside from his responsibilities as a wide receiver where he has hauled in 14 receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown, Hernandez has also played a pivotal roll on special teams.
“Darius is our guy, and he’s been a three year starter,” said La Feria head coach Oscar Salinas. “He’s done a great job moving from running back to receiver, he’s been a great teammate and he’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do.
“We wanted to use him in space this year, we tried him at slot toward the end of last year and he did good job so we just kept him there this year.”
The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with Hernandez before La Feria’s game against Port Isabel.
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Q: It’s your senior season, what are some goals you have set for yourself?
DARIUS: A few goals I have set for my senior year is to win an outright 16-4A DII District Championship, hopefully earn a scholarship to compete at the next level, win offensive MVP, and have my best season with over 1000+ receiving yards.
Q: This season the Lions have played in three straight rivalry games, heading into another this week, do you have any favorite memories from any of the rivalries you have played in?
DARIUS: A few of my favorite memories would firstly have to be being able to come out victorious against our last 3 rivalry games, especially against Mercedes and finally being able to get a victory. Second, being able to keep our win streak against Santa Rosa alive for the past few years. Lastly, scoring my first touchdown of the season against Mercedes and help spark the offense to rack up more points.
Q: What’s the team’s mentality heading into the game against Port Isabel?
DARIUS: We have the mindset to start moving right off the back, get the ball moving offensively, and making big stops on defense. We wanna be able to show that our offense can rack up 40+ points a game along with showing why we are the number one defense in the Valley. This is the type of mentality we have going into every game, especially with coach Salinas always telling us to never let off the gas pedal.
Q: You’ve had plenty of positive moments in your athletic career, but which one stands out the most in your mind?
DARIUS: One major moment that truly will never be forgotten is playing against China Springs in the second round of playoffs my freshman year. It’s something that I look back at a lot due to the fact that I can say I played against big teams like that along with going two rounds deep.
Q: What is your favorite sports quote?
DARIUS: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed,” by Michael Jordan. It showed me that no matter what happens in life, you just have to keep on moving forward, and great things will come.
Q: What is the toughest part of being a wide receiver?
DARIUS: In my opinion, as receiver that plays fullback, tight end, and running back, remembering the blocking schemes, running plays, and routes, make it extremely difficult; especially with a fast pace offense that we have.
Q: It’s your senior season, what are you going to remember most about your time at La Feria?
DARIUS: Two things I’ll never forget about my time here at LFHS are all the great memories that I created from the very start with extracurricular activities and my select few friends. Without those two major factors in my life, my high school year may not have been as memorable as it is today.
Q: What has been the biggest obstacle you have overcome this season?
DARIUS: Playing our first game of the season with our second string quarterback who had little to no varsity experience, who was also a sophomore. Although we may have won, it took both sides of the ball to truly come together and win a ball game even without our starting quarterback. But like they say god gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, and our first game was truly a tough battle.
Q: If you could have dinner with anybody who would it be and why?
DARIUS: My great grandmother Gela, who passed away a couple years ago. Having dinner with her would be an opportunity of a lifetime, because being able to tell her how everyone is doing back home would bring a smile to her face. Along with sitting next to her and holding her hand just like I used to when she was here with us.
Q: What’s the best advice you would give to the future athlete?
DARIUS: I would first tell them to worry about academics because having a great academic background will go along way if something were to happen. Secondly introducing them to self confidence and how to never give up on their dreams, goals, along with never letting anyone tell them they can accomplish anything in life.