FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
LA FERIA —As Michael Jordan once famously said “Just play. Have fun and enjoy the game,” La Feria’s head coach Oscar Salinas also wants his team to enjoy the moment, but just don’t make that moment bigger than it is.
That “moment” is arguably what many are calling the biggest game in the Rio Grande Valley when the undefeated La Feria Lions (5-0) play host to another undefeated team; the Rio Hondo Bobcats (5-0). A Bobcat squad that has amassed an impressive 2,700 yards through the first five games of the season.
“They have a highly explosive offense so we are going to be tested defensively,” said Salinas. “The back end of our secondary has played well all year, they’re a young group, but they are going to get tested this week against Rio Hondo.”
The Lions defense has held up well through the teams first five games of the season as well. This year, the team has allowed an average of just over 178 yards per game while holding opposing offenses to less than 14 points a game. However, easy games have been nonexistent for the Lions this season; La Feria defeated Raymondville 17-7 to start the season, Santa Rosa (38-6), Mercedes (28-0), Port Isabel (21-14), and most recently Brownsville Rivera 21-14. And in order to get a positive result tonight, Coach Salinas said the keys to the game are straight forward, don’t turn the ball over and don’t give up the big play.
“They are a big play team so we are going to have to match them and score along with them,” he said.
If La Feria is guilty of anything it is starting games slowly. Against Brownsville Rivera the Lions scored seven points in the first half before picking it up two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
“This is a game of effort and energy and tomorrow we need to bring both of those things from the start,” said Robert Fraga. “We have started out pretty sluggish but we’re going to have to come out with a lot of energy right off the bat.”
“We are going to have to come out physical,” added quarterback Dorian Hernandez. “We are going to have to come out physical against these guys if not they are going to push us over and we are not going to allow that this year.”
When the Lions step out onto the field tonight, history will not be on their side. The Bobcats have won eight out of the last ten encounters against the Lions, with 2013 being the last time the two teams met with Rio Hondo coming out on top 40-27.
The game is set for 7:30 pm at Lions Stadium.