By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
RIO HONDO, TX—Several Rio Hondo football players had a significant impact on the season, resulting in a second-place finish in District 16-3A D1 and a playoff appearance.
For their efforts, more than a dozen Bobcats earned a selection on the All-District 16-3A Division I team. The Bobcats finished 9-2 on the year.
“Having a really good season got us some big awards like the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year,” Rio Hondo Head Varsity Football Coach Rocky James said.
One of those who earned the highest distinction possible was MVP Mario Lopez, who was a junior running back during his torrid playmaking season.
Lopez played at 11 games, carried 200 times and rushed for 2,062 yards.
He scored 32 times.
He averaged 10.3 yards per carry. His longest run was for 86 yards.
Offensive Player of the Year went to junior quarterback Matthew Lopez.
He will return his final year with lofty stats.
He, too, played behind center in all 11 games that saw him throw the pigskin 222 times and complete 135 of his passes.
He threw 25 TD passes against nine interceptions.
Lopez had a quarterback rating of 118.1.
Defensive Lineman of the Year was junior Noe Leos, who had 11.5 sacks and 16 hurries. He would have episodes 69 tackles.
Defensive Newcomer of the Year went to freshman Ty Alaniz. He had 133 tackles, and 2.5 sacks.
Special Teams Player was given to senior Samuel Muñoz.
The rest of the Rio Hondo players earned placement on the first or second all-district team, respectively.
They included the following on the first team offense: receivers junior Emmanuel Perez and sophomore Sebastian Gonzalez; junior offensive tackle Devin Raymond; senior offensive guard David Castañeda; senior center Adrian Betancourt; and sophomore tight end Michael Lopez.
Second team offensive players were junior receiver Albert Villalovos, junior offensive tackle Jose Luis Lopez, junior offensive guard Miguel Lopez, and senior tight end Samuel Muñoz.
Defenders who made the first team were junior cornerback Jaziah Arredondo, senior safety Joel Medina, junior inside linebacker Rolando Pastrana, junior outside linebacker Matthew Sanchez, junior defensive tackle Freddy Garza, and junior kicker Albert Villalovos was also on the first team.
Those who made second team defensively were sophomore inside linebacker Matthew Perez; senior defensive tackle Francisco Losoya; and senior defensive end Marcus Flores.
Honorable Mention went to the following: senior cornerback Eddie Martinez, sophomore safety Michael Lopez, junior defensive tackle Gregory Soto, senior defensive end Thomas Cruz, junior punter Noe Leos, and senior specialist Joel Medina.
“As a coach, you think your kids deserve all the recognition, especially when they helped us get nine wins in a season,” James said.
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