FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
The La Feria Lions are headed to the third round of the Class 4A Division I playoffs for the first time in 10 years after defeating Needville 49-34 on Friday evening in Mathis.
In 2008, the Lions reached the regional round of the postseason, but dreams of a fourth-round berth were derailed by a tough Cuero team.
While La Feria does not have to worry about a state-ranked Cuero team in the third round this year, the Lions do have to worry about a tough La Vernia squad that defeated Lampasas 28-21 in the area round.
Like Needville, the Lions have to contend with another fully loaded offense that has produced more than 5,500 yards through 12 games. Quarterback Clayton Chadwick has passed for 2,597 yards and 28 touchdowns, and rushed for another 1,442 yards and 23 yards.
The game is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi.
Also, the San Benito Greyhounds are in the third round of the playoffs for a second straight year, and for the third time under coach Dan Gomez.
After a thrilling triple overtime win against PSJA North on Saturday, the ’Hounds next take on Converse Judson.
The kicker? The ’Hounds will play host to the Rockets on Friday at Bobby Morrow Stadium, with the kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
The Rockets were scheduled to make a trip to Harlingen earlier this year to meet the Cardinals, but the game was canceled due to weather.
In other regional games involving Rio Grande Valley teams, Edinburg Vela meets Austin Westlake in a Class 6A Division II game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium.
On Saturday, three Valley squads play at the Alamodome in San Antonio. First, Brownsville Hanna battles Northside Brandeis in a Class 6A Division II game at noon, and then Weslaco High takes on Austin Lake Travis in a Class 6A Division I matchup at 4 p.m. Finally, at 8 p.m., Mission Veterans Memorial plays Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial in a Class 5A Division I affair.