By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
HARLINGEN, TX—Despite gaining more than 500 yards of total offense, the Rio Hondo Bobcat Football Team lost to the London Pirates, 49-42, in a Class 3A first-round playoff game last week at Boggus Stadium. Rio Hondo ends its season with a 9-2 record, while London (7-4) advances to the second round and will face Llano (10-1). The Bobcats received strong performances from their usual offensive contributors, including quarterback Matthew Lopez and running back Mario Lopez.
The junior quarterback threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns on 24-of-41 passing. He also rushed for 80 yards and scored one touchdown. He threw one interception. To reach his passing yardage, Lopez completed passes to five receivers, including Emmanuel Perez, who had 182 yards on 10 receptions and three touchdowns – all game highs.
Other Rio Hondo players who caught four passes each were junior Albert Villalovos (42 yards) and sophomore Sebastian Gonzalez (16 yards). Senior Sam Munoz (25 yards) and Mario Lopez (36 yards) each caught three passes, with the latter finding the end zone once.
On the ground, junior Lopez rushed for 153 yards on 23 carries and scored another touchdown.
The Rio Hondo defense struggled to stop one London player in particular. As in the regular season, the Pirates relied heavily on senior quarterback Alex Manning, who did most of his damage through the air.
He had some luck, as he was able to see his own pass after it was deflected.
He threw for 393 yards and five touchdowns on just 15 completions. He connected with four different receivers for strikes of 31, 34, 54, and 89 yards. His favorite target was again junior Zach Tyrone, who caught five passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
The rushing attack was limited, gaining only 47 yards on 19 carries.
“We fought hard, and it was different plays that sometimes went their way,” Rio Hondo Head Coach Rocky James said. “I thought we had the better team.”
The referees from San Antonio called 12 penalties against Rio Hondo and five against London.
James added that London players weren’t being penalized for infractions committed against the Bobcats.
“Still, I’m proud of how we played,” James added.
The Bobcats couldn’t secure a second straight bi-district victory over London, who upset them last year by a 52-20 score.
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