FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
LA FERIA — For the La Feria Lions the message heading into tonight’s game against Port Isabel was clear: stay humble and stay hungry.
The Lions are currently on a three-game win streak, however La Feria head coach Oscar Salinas knows there is plenty of room to improve.
“We’ve done well, but we still have to get better each week,” said Salinas. “We have to keep working because we are not there yet. We are not at good as we want to be and as good as we know we can be. We had a good week in practice and I think they understand.
“They understand that it is not going to be a cake walk. They know they are not going to just walk in and win the game and they know they have to get it done in practice and they know they have to come out fired up and ready to play.”
With one year of varsity ball under his belt, quarterback Dorian Hernandez has stepped in and has had an impressive start to the season. This year the junior has passed for 293 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Another offensive player playing a big role on the team is senior Darius Hernandez who has hauled in 14 receptions for 133 yards with one touchdown.
While players like Dorian Hernandez and Darius Hernandez have played a pivotal in the Lions early success, Coach Salinas believes his offensive line consisting of Jose Lugo, Jonathan Alegria, Nathan Morales, and Alex Yerena have been the real backbone of the offense.
“I think the growth of our offensive line where we had to replace five players has done a real good job,” said Salinas. “They have really done a good job of gelling together and by far the biggest improvement in our offense.”
Tonight’s matchup against the Tarpons is one that goes back at least 60 years. During the 59 times the two sides have met, the Tarpons lead the series with 38 wins, 18 defeats and three ties.
Tonight’s game will be at Lions Stadium at 7:30 pm.