Moving on through — Rio Hondo running back Mario Lopez gains yards ahead of Bishop defenders. (Courtesy photo/Albert Villegas)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
RIO HONDO, TX—The Rio Hondo Bobcats avenged a loss from last season that cost them the outright District 32-3A title.
Judging by their commanding 55-20 victory last week at home against the same Bishop Badgers, it’s clear that the Rio Grande Valley team has matters well in hand.
Now, the district title goes through Willacy County, as the Bobcats still have to face the Raymondville Bearkats and Lyford Bulldogs later this season. For now, they will enjoy heading into their bye week with a perfect 2-0 district record and a 5-0 season record.
“We all wanted payback for the terrible 20-13 district loss we had last year; we thought we were the better team, and this year we wanted to go out and prove it,” Rio Hondo Head Varsity Football Coach Rocky James said.
Against the Badgers, who dropped their district record to 1-1 and 1-4 on the year, the longtime Bobcats coach said his team was “feeling out” their opponent in the first half, meaning they were testing what Bishop’s strengths and weaknesses were.
Although Bishop took a 7-0 lead with three seconds remaining in the opening quarter, Rio Hondo responded immediately with a scoring drive, ending with running back Mario Lopez’s three-yard touchdown run. Kicker Albert Villalovos missed an extra point attempt, his first of the season, leaving the score at 7-6.
However, it was the Bobcats’ defense that initiated the next two offensive drives for a score.
Defenders Joel Medina and Emmanuel Perez intercepted Bishop’s backup quarterback, Jesus Sandoval.
Lopez scored Rio Hondo’s next touchdowns. Villalovos, back in form, connected on his PATs for a commanding 20-7 halftime lead.
The Badgers had no response to everything the Bobcats literally threw at them in the second half.
Rio Hondo quarterback Matthew Lopez threw for 241 yards on 14-of-26 completions. His longest pass was to Emmanuel Perez for 43 yards.
Perez caught a game-high six passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. Sebastian Gonzalez added four completions for 52 yards, while Matthew Perez had one completion for eight yards, and Mario Lopez also had one for five yards.
The passing routes set up the run game for Mario Lopez, who finished with 150 yards on 23 carries. He scored three TDs in the second half and had five in total for the game.
Quarterback Lopez contributed to his team by rushing five times for 32 yards and scoring twice.
The Badgers’ futile effort to come back in the second half at least resulted in two scores. But the damage was already done, and fans have the Bobcats’ defenders to thank for that.
The team totaled 95 tackles, led by Pastrana with 11, Ty Alaniz with 10, Joel Medina with eight, Eddie
Martinez with seven, and Marcus Flores also with seven.
The Badgers’ defense recorded 56 tackles.
Flores from Rio Hondo led the team with four tackles for losses and also recorded two sacks.
Alaniz and Jaziah Arredondo recorded fumble recoveries; Michael Lopez and Arredondo made interceptions.
“We really steamrolled them in the second half,” Coach James said. “We’re really proud of the kids. We have a really good team and are hoping good things continue for us.”
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