FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
Week 4 of sub-5A high school football went off without a hitch. Some teams benefited from the time off while another found its first win.
COACHES POLL: Port Isabel, Raymondville and Rio Hondo all cracked the Texas High School Football Coaches Association’s top 10 poll.
The Tarpons sit at No. 4 after their 14-6 victory over Valley View this weekend. Port Isabel has rushed for 676 yards this season with junior Omar Silva leading the way with 199 yards on 33 carries.
Raymondville stayed put in eighth place, tied with Wimberley. The Bearkats have not played for two weeks but have managed to produce 838 total yards.
The Bobcats were voted into the No. 10 spot to round out the poll. Rio Hondo got back into the win column after a 30-0 victory over Hidalgo.
The Bobcats defense was once again the highlight of the game after giving up just 69 total yards Friday night.
The Pirates were able to rush for 70 yards, however quarterback Peter Quiroz was grounded for negative 1 passing yard on 17 attempts with one interception.
TIME TO GAMEPLAN/HEAL: By the time Raymondville steps back on the field against Kingsville King this Friday night, 22 days will have passed since its last game against Grulla.
After an unforeseen tragedy canceled the Cotton Bowl and a bye week followed, the team is anxious to get back on the field.
“I have never been in that situation before where you have two weeks instead of one bye week,” said Raymondville head coach Frank Cantu. “But I think we made the most of it and we practiced well. We slowed things down and went back to basics.
“We saw some of the things we need to work on and in the end I really think it’s going to benefit us rather than hinder.”
The time off also gave the Bearkats time to heal some of their injuries, one of them being running back and free safety Josue Garcia.
“We’re hoping to have him back before the start of the district season, which would be a big blessing for us,” said Cantu. “He’s another weapon that we can use on both offense and defense.”