FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Five reasons to be excited for the ’Hounds

(Photo by T.J. Tijerina)
Quarterback Cristian Sierra of the San Benito Greyhounds looks for room to maneuver at Bobby Morrow Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, against the McAllen Memorial Mustangs.

By ARMANDO GARZA
Special to the NEWS

As they take the week off to get ready for district next week, there are reasons for optimism concerning the San Benito Greyhounds despite their 1-2 record.

The ’Hounds stand at 1-2 after losses to two of the Valley’s more talented squads, Weslaco East and McAllen Memorial.

Here are five reasons why Greyhound fans should feel excited about the upcoming District 32-6A season:

1. The ’Hounds begin district play on Sept. 20 at Brownsville Hanna, which is 1-1. The potentially-rusty Golden Eagles will have not played a game since Sept. 5 after last Saturday’s game vs. Donna was cancelled due to weather.
2. District 32-6A is no gauntlet as of now: The district has no unbeaten teams and two teams are winless (Harlingen, Lopez).
3. A well-timed rest this week to fine tune the offense and defense to get ready for a district run.
4. San Benito can move the football. The ’Hounds cranked out 448 yards against Edinburg and against Weslaco East and currently average well over 350 yards per contest.
5. This team has heart. Trailing 21-0 against East, the ’Hounds battled back to make a game of it. Against Memorial, they trailed 21-3 and later 28-6 at the half. San Benito closed it to 28-21 before giving way.

Of course, moral victories aren’t counted in the standings, but this is a different team that has a good attitude and a certain “edge” to it. Stay tuned.

DON’T JUDGE A BOOK: After Rio Hondo lost 35-7 at Sinton last Friday, many felt that the Bobcats weren’t as good as advertised.

Think again.

The Cats trailed just 14-7 at the half against the defending Region-IV Division-II champions. On the night, a couple of fumble returns for scores did the Bobcats in against a good Sinton team.

Now Rio Hondo goes to Hidalgo to face a former district opponent. This too is a good measuring stick for the Cats.

FRANTIC FALCONS: Los Fresnos has certainly lived on the edge the first three weeks of the season.

The Falcons fell 19-16 on a last-second field goal to Edinburg North in Week 1, held on for dear life in a 35-31 win at Edcouch-Elsa and came back from way down to beat PSJA North 35-34 with under 30 seconds to go.

Coach Clint Finley will certainly take the two wins, but his heart rate might need to be checked. The Falcons have shown they can move the ball offensively with a steady run game and will open district with Lopez next Friday.