KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
LA FERIA — The 2018 La Feria Lions turned heads and got the attention of the Rio Grande Valley.
The Lions broke out with an 11-win season along with a district title and a trip to the third round of the playoffs.
While the Lions did lose some key names on both sides of the ball, La Feria retooled with what they have returning.
On paper, the 2019 team can be just as special as they were one year ago.
La Feria returns nine on offense, including their entire offensive line and will return seven on defense.
“We are feeling good and we had a good day of practice today and we have everyone here,” said La Feria coach Oscar Salinas. “I’m proud of how the kids came in ready to work and they all came in good shape, so we have had a good camp so far.”
The bus starts and stops with senior quarterback Dorian Hernandez, who is in his third year as a starter and has plenty of game experience to lead the Lions in 2019.
Despite losing weapons like Noah Conde and Darius Hernandez to graduation, Hernandez will look to Caleb Flores as one of his go to guys this fall.
Out of the back field, the Lions will split carries with their junior duo of Avishai Dickerson and Angel Garcia.
“I wouldn’t say there were any nerves coming into my last year, it was more emotional because it was my last first day of practice,” Hernandez said. “There were some butterflies, but we are just excited for this season overall and I feel good.”
Heading into the new season, Salinas made it clear for his team not live off of last year’s success and for the 2019 team to find their own identity.
“Coach Salinas wants us to be our own team and for us to work hard and not to go back and depend on last year,” Hernandez said. “We are all working hard to get back to where we were. Just because we were on top last year, doesn’t mean we are going to be there this year we have to work for it and stay humble.”
On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary will be a strong suite for the Lions with a pair of savvy veterans in corners Evan Avila and Isaiah Vento, who all have range and athleticism. At the safety position, Jaden Torres will play free safety and will be teamed up with Daniel Valencia at strong safety.
The question will be at the linebacker position.
La Feria will need to replace hard-hitting Robert Fraga and Jacob Garza.
“Defensively, our secondary will be our strong suite,” Salinas said. “All of them played last year except for one of our safeties. Our strength will be in the secondary early on until we get our defensive line and linebackers some experience.”
The Lions will meet Brownsville Hanna in a scrimmage on August 16 at Sams Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. La Feria will open their regular season August 30 with a blockbuster at Raymondville at 7:30 p.m.