footballgal
10-20-2004, 10:22 AM
Don’t overlook Lyford-Rio Hondo Match-up
By BUDDY GREEN
While most of the focus in District 32-3A will be on the La Feria at Port Isabel game this week, a lot will be riding on the matchup between Lyford and Rio Hondo.
"It’s a critical game for both teams," said Lyford head coach Jaime Infante. "A win Friday night would do us good."
On the other hand, a Rio Hondo loss would put the Bobcats in big trouble as far as making the playoffs.
La Feria and PI (both 3-0) will battle for first place Friday. Both teams wil most likely make the playoffs, regardless of Friday’s outcome.
Although, La Feria head coach Roberto Valdez is taking nothing for granted.
"No matter what happens here (PI), I still got two games left," said Valdez. "My season doesn’t end with PI."
The Lions close out with Lyford and Raymondville.
Lyford has just one loss, that a 37-0 beating against PI. A win against Rio Hondo would put the Bulldogs at 3-1 and in great shape for a playoff berth.
"This is the healthiest we’ve been in a while," said Infante. "We get four kids back from grades."
Infante’s son, Aaron, has been battling a muscle strain but the coach said he’ll be ready Friday. Aaron has rushed for 471 yards, averaging 8.1 a carry.
Lyford has the league’s second best rushing attack. Omar Cavazos leads the way with 687 yards.
That high-powered running game was shut down by PI, thus the 37-point loss.
Rio Hondo also features the run but La Feria held the Bobcats to 11 yards on the ground in a 30-15 Lions’ win.
The Bobcats, forced to throw, got a season-best performance from Caleb Flores. Flores, who had just 109 passing yards in Rio Hondo’s six previous games, completed nine of 18 for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
"Rio Hondo fell behind and had to open it up," said Infante. "We were impressed with their passing. They were in a must-pass situation and they threw the ball well."
Down the road
For those who like to look ahead and work on possible scenarios:
Raymondville (2-2) is off this week and finish against Hidalgo and La Feria. The Bearkats could make it with two wins and the right combinations.
Lyford has La Feria and Hidalgo.
Rio Hondo plays PI in Week 9, the Bobcats last game of the regular season. That’s why, it appears, Rio Hondo needs to beat Lyford this week.
After Rio Hondo, PI closes against Progreso. Without going too far out on a limb, go ahead and chalk up the Tarpons to make the playoffs.
Game balls
PI’s Orlando Ochoa ran for 155 yards on 12 carries and scored one touchdown. Ochoa also threw two TD passes to Butch Martinez in the Tarpons 30-7 win over Raymondville.
Progreso’s Norberto Ontiveros rushed for 176 yards on 22 carries and scored both Red Ant TDs in a 27-14 loss to Lyford.
La Feria’s Manny Perez broke the 100-yard barrier for the fifth straight week as the junior rushed for 121 yards on 24 attempts in the Lions’ 30-15 win over Rio Hondo.
Stat corner
Ontiveros continues to lead the district in rushing with 853 yards on 149 carries. Perez has 779 yards, despite playing two less games than Ontiveros.
District 32-3A continues to be a league dominated by rushing. Ochoa leads the league in passing with 480 yards. Six players have more rushing yardage, including Ochoa.
After Ochoa, Lyford’s Adrian Roma is second in passing yardage with 367, followed by Raymondville’s Tommy Wolfe with 357.
Buddy Green can be reached at buddyg@valleystar.com or at 956-430-6284http://www.valleystar.com/images/uploads/buddy_green.gif
By BUDDY GREEN
While most of the focus in District 32-3A will be on the La Feria at Port Isabel game this week, a lot will be riding on the matchup between Lyford and Rio Hondo.
"It’s a critical game for both teams," said Lyford head coach Jaime Infante. "A win Friday night would do us good."
On the other hand, a Rio Hondo loss would put the Bobcats in big trouble as far as making the playoffs.
La Feria and PI (both 3-0) will battle for first place Friday. Both teams wil most likely make the playoffs, regardless of Friday’s outcome.
Although, La Feria head coach Roberto Valdez is taking nothing for granted.
"No matter what happens here (PI), I still got two games left," said Valdez. "My season doesn’t end with PI."
The Lions close out with Lyford and Raymondville.
Lyford has just one loss, that a 37-0 beating against PI. A win against Rio Hondo would put the Bulldogs at 3-1 and in great shape for a playoff berth.
"This is the healthiest we’ve been in a while," said Infante. "We get four kids back from grades."
Infante’s son, Aaron, has been battling a muscle strain but the coach said he’ll be ready Friday. Aaron has rushed for 471 yards, averaging 8.1 a carry.
Lyford has the league’s second best rushing attack. Omar Cavazos leads the way with 687 yards.
That high-powered running game was shut down by PI, thus the 37-point loss.
Rio Hondo also features the run but La Feria held the Bobcats to 11 yards on the ground in a 30-15 Lions’ win.
The Bobcats, forced to throw, got a season-best performance from Caleb Flores. Flores, who had just 109 passing yards in Rio Hondo’s six previous games, completed nine of 18 for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
"Rio Hondo fell behind and had to open it up," said Infante. "We were impressed with their passing. They were in a must-pass situation and they threw the ball well."
Down the road
For those who like to look ahead and work on possible scenarios:
Raymondville (2-2) is off this week and finish against Hidalgo and La Feria. The Bearkats could make it with two wins and the right combinations.
Lyford has La Feria and Hidalgo.
Rio Hondo plays PI in Week 9, the Bobcats last game of the regular season. That’s why, it appears, Rio Hondo needs to beat Lyford this week.
After Rio Hondo, PI closes against Progreso. Without going too far out on a limb, go ahead and chalk up the Tarpons to make the playoffs.
Game balls
PI’s Orlando Ochoa ran for 155 yards on 12 carries and scored one touchdown. Ochoa also threw two TD passes to Butch Martinez in the Tarpons 30-7 win over Raymondville.
Progreso’s Norberto Ontiveros rushed for 176 yards on 22 carries and scored both Red Ant TDs in a 27-14 loss to Lyford.
La Feria’s Manny Perez broke the 100-yard barrier for the fifth straight week as the junior rushed for 121 yards on 24 attempts in the Lions’ 30-15 win over Rio Hondo.
Stat corner
Ontiveros continues to lead the district in rushing with 853 yards on 149 carries. Perez has 779 yards, despite playing two less games than Ontiveros.
District 32-3A continues to be a league dominated by rushing. Ochoa leads the league in passing with 480 yards. Six players have more rushing yardage, including Ochoa.
After Ochoa, Lyford’s Adrian Roma is second in passing yardage with 367, followed by Raymondville’s Tommy Wolfe with 357.
Buddy Green can be reached at buddyg@valleystar.com or at 956-430-6284http://www.valleystar.com/images/uploads/buddy_green.gif