By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
PHARR, TX—Three offensive players earned more than 100 yards, and as many defenders had double-digit tackles that helped the Rio Hondo Bobcats open their season in victory against the Pharr Valley View Tigers, 63-0.
The game — played last Friday — was the third consecutive year the Bobcats, under longtime Head Coach Rocky James, opened their season in victory.
The lopsided win was reminiscent of what Rio Hondo did to this same Valley View program last season when the game ended by a 73-20 margin.
Many of the players who experienced the win a year ago did so again. The taste of victory never sours for James.
“We have an excellent team again. I have a very good quarterback in Matt Lopez; the offensive line lost one to graduation,” James said.
Lopez went 12-of-15 in pass completions for 329 yards and a touchdown throw. He also had two touchdown runs.
Receiver Sebastian Gonzalez caught four passes for 109 yards. Running back Mario Lopez scored four times and earned 179 yards on just 12 carries.
“We have a great running back in Mario Lopez, and our offense has four receivers who are outstanding threats,” James said.
Those receivers include Albert Villalovos (4 completions, 99 yards), Manny Perez (4 completions, 69 yards), and Michael Lopez (2 completions, 52 yards).
The offense was slow to get rolling as the game was still in question going into the second quarter. Rio Hondo had its second score in that time frame for a 14-0 lead and just steamrolled thanks to its defense.
In fact, this is the fifth consecutive shutout the Bobcats’ defense earned in a regular-season game going back to last season.
Leading tackles were Ty Alaniz with 19, followed by Rollie Pastrana and Matthew Sanchez, each with 11 tackles.
Noe Leos and Julian Maldonado each had a sack, with Alex Trevino earning a half sack.
Rio Hondo’s Jazaih Arredondo (interception) and Lionel Sanchez (fumble recovery) also contributed.
“Our defense played solid once again to give us another regular-season shutout,” James said.
Villalovos was also successful in all his point-after attempts as kicker, going 9-for-9.
On Thursday, the Bobcats hosted the Port Isabel Tarpons, an opponent they looked to defeat after losing to last year, 27-24.
Last week, the Tarpons lost their season opener against the Lyford Bulldogs in overtime, 13-12.
Lyford and Rio Hondo compete in District 32-3A and will face each other later this season at Bobcat Stadium on Oct. 17.
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