KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
The La Feria Lions are heading back to the state 7-on-7 tournament in College Station.
La Feria punched their ticket this past Saturday at the McAllen state qualifying tournament after posting a perfect 4-0 record in pool play.
The state tourney is scheduled for, June 27 and 28 for both division II and division III schools. Division I games are scheduled for June 28 and 29. All the games will be played at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
The road to state was simple for the Lions: win their pool and they’d be in.
The Lions rolled past Port Isabel 47-2 and squeaked past Goliad 27-26 before picking up another close win, topping Splendora 28-21.
“Over the first three games, we just needed to find a rhythm offensively,” La Feria quarterback Dorian Hernandez said. “We used short routes and we used different routes like out and crossing routes. Our defense had also played a hell of a game throughout the first three games. They held their ground and forced turnovers when we needed them, too.”
Entering the final game against Rockport Fulton, the Lions needed one more win to seal their trip to state.
While Rockport roared out to a 26-6 halftime lead, the Lions didn’t fold, rallying for 22 points in the second half while the defense pitched the shut out to secure a 28-26 comeback win.
“Rockport got the momentum early in the first half and in the second, half our defense didn’t let up,” Hernandez said. “They shut them out in the second half and on offense, we found our rhythm and we came back and picked up the win.”
At the half, defensive captain Jaden Torres had a message for Hernandez that helped fuel the second half comeback.
“He picked up our offense and he told me, ‘Come on kid you are our leader, lead us back in this game and lead us to this comeback,” Hernandez recalled. “That is what he told me and we were able to get things going.”
The Lions will make their third appearance at the state tournament after qualifying in 2015 and 2016.
The 2019 squad will make their state debut next week and is relishing the moment.
“It was a phenomenal comeback and an amazing feeling to get that win and make state,” Hernandez said. “This is something that I hadn’t done before and nobody on the team has been there either, so it is a big accomplishment for us as a team; everyone was proud.”
La Feria still doesn’t know who they will meet in the tournament, but the competition is something Hernandez and company are looking forward to.
“I’m mostly excited about the competition because I’m a competitive guy at heart,” Hernandez said. “I’m also excited about the equipment we are going to get and I’m just excited for the guys to get that experience. Also, we are excited for the young guys for them to make it and get some experience for the future. Overall, this will help us prepare for the upcoming season.”