By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
RIO HONDO, TX—To say the Rio Hondo Bobcats have returning gridiron experience is an understatement.
They are rich in it, and Head Football Coach Rocky James knows it as they look to not only make a statement during the regular season but also make their mark in the playoffs.
Many of the returning Bobcats know what the past two seasons brought in terms of postseason success. They hope the third time is the charm and that they go deeper, like the 2008 squad, which played three rounds deep.
“We’re shooting for three and see where we go from there,” James said. “We have a really good group returning, many of them starters, many of them seniors. I hope that will carry us far.”
The list of returnees is headlined by the senior quarterback/running back duo of Matthew Lopez (2,379 passing yards) and Mario Lopez (2,062 rushing yards) only because they’re scoring threats on every drive. Senior Emmanuel Perez (47 receptions, 847 yards) and junior Sebastian Gonzalez (41 receptions, 728 yards) will look to outpace each other again, led by their seasoned signal-caller, who threw 25 TD passes a year ago, nine to Perez.
The offensive execution only works because the offensive line is anchored by returning lettermen, including seniors Devin Raymond and Miguel Lopez, who between them earned two dozen pancake blocks.
The line will be complemented by the play of Julio Montoya, Miguel Lopez, and Gregory Soto.
Defensively, the Bobcats are led by Ty Alaniz, a sophomore. He made the most of his playing time in his first varsity year, recording a team-high 133 tackles.
Other Bobcats returners, all of them seniors, are Rolando Pastrana (113 tackles)
Noe Leos (69 tackles), Julian Maldonado (18 tackles), and Jaziah Arredondo (51 tackles).
“We didn’t have to change much from last year, and we already had a very good reason with them as juniors, so we’re looking for bigger and better things,” Coach James said.
The season opener against the Pace Vikings will test the defensive interior.
Once the Bobcats play their district foes, the challenge will be even greater.
“They’re all going to be tough — Bishop and San Diego, and then our own Valley teams, Lyford and Raymondville,” Coach James said. “Anyone coming out of this district without losses is going to be something, because there are others with their own returners playing again.”
In District 32-3A, RHHS will be greatly challenged by Bishop (5-2 district record) and Raymondville (7-0 district record) because of the talent surrounding their QBs.
Bishop quarterback Braxten Eli Montalvo threw 18 TDs. Raymondville quarterback Jeffrey Lefevre threw 22 TD passes.
“We’re up for the challenge. We’ve won nine times each of the past two seasons, so I think we’re capable of winning and getting the district title back here,” Coach James said. “We’re still humble and stay grounded because of the talent in our district. It’s not going to be easy for anyone.”