(Rio Hondo, Tx)-The Rio Hondo Bobcats clinched a share of the District 16-3ADI title along with San Diego, both at 4-1 records. Head coach Rocky James likes his chances again in 2023 with 20 lettermen returning with four starters back on offense and seven on defense.
The Bobcats will open its season against Raymondville on August 25th at 7:30 p.m. on the road in non-conference play followed by two more road games on Thursday nights against Port Isabel (8/31) and Hidalgo (September 7th). They will end their non-conference schedule at home against CC Ingleside on September 15th. Last year, the Bobcats went 0-4 to start the season.
Players to watch on offense are Keyan Lopez WR, QB Ruben Atkinson, and WR Gavin Perez. Atkinson passed for 407 yards with only four interceptions. Defensively, the Bobcats will see standout, Lopez (168 total tackles, including 35 solos), LB Leroy Perez (74 total tackles 65 assist),
DB Jared Basaldua (67 tackles 15 solos), 6’2 DE Joshua Laster (3.0 QB Sacks 31 tackles) with special teams kicker, Leonardo Quezada (39 kickoffs 1,439 yards, 3 TB).
The Lyford Bulldogs and head football coach, Jerry Jauregui returns 17 lettermen with six starters back on offense and seven on defense. The Bulldogs advanced to the playoffs before losing to Edna 52-0 in the 3A DI Bi-District Championships. Players to watch are QB 5’10 Aiden Olivas, WR David Cabellero (432 yards 12 rec), DB/LB Daniel Palafox (33 tackles), DE Alex Castro (3.0 QB Sacks 4 hurries), DL Elijah Vela (66 tackles 2 QB sacks), Jaime Vela (6’2 OL), and OL 6’0 Nico Chavez.
And finally, the Progreso Red Ants and will have to fill plenty of voids after going 0-10 in 2022
to extend its losing streak to 0-24. The Red Ants were stung by their opponents, outscored 562-17. They will meet La Villa on August 25th on the road with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
The San Diego Vaqueros and Falfurrias Jerseys will be looking to make the playoffs in 2023 while Santa Gertrudis is hoping for a better season. The Vaqueros will need to fill their quarterback and running back positions if they are expected to make another playoff run.
(Monte Alto, Texas)-Another head football coach will take over the Monte Alto Blue Devils in 2023 after Gene Garza took up another coaching position. Under his tenure, the Blue Devils went 0-20 and are currently riding the longest losing streak in South Texas with a 0-24 record. First-year head coach Roalndo Rojas is next.
The University Interscholastic League will shuffle District 16-3A Division II after the season ends but for now, the Blue Devils will have to find a way to end this losing streak. Hopefully, the Blue Devils will pick wins against George West, Odem, Taft, Hebbronville, Banquete or Santa Rosa. “It’s a tough district,” said the former head coach, Rojas.
The Blue Devils will play three straight non-district home contests against 2A Premont (8/25), Santa Maria (9/1), and Falfurrias (9/8), and then travel to meet La Villa (9/15) before starting its district conference against Banquete on September 22nd at home.
Players to watch are Julio Marroquin, Eddie Rodriguez, Juan Ybarra, WR Drago Hernandez, LB Emiliano Castillo, and Francisco Tovar.
Only 14 players return with seven starters back on each side of the field with Marroquin returning at quarterback after passing for 423 yards and he will be joined by RB Rodriguez (678 yards rushing 6 TDs) and WR Drago Hernandez (310 yards 5 TDs).