Lions Impressive In Season Opener

Updated: September 9, 2016

The La Feria Lions Varsity Football team opened the 2016 season with a bang defeating the Raymondville Bearkats 47-14 on Friday night, August 26th, at Lion Stadium. Photo: LFISD/Facebook

by Coach Jaime Acuna

The 2016 La Feria Lions started off the season just as they had hoped, by winning their season opener 47 – 14 versus a tough and gritty Raymondville Bearkat team at Lion Stadium on Friday night, August 26th.

The game was highlighted by several big plays by the Lion offense and a tough defense that forced three turnovers for the night. The lions jumped out early to a 7 – 0 lead thanks to a touchdown pass from quarterback Jonathan Leija to wide receiver Brandon Lee Perez.

Captains meet at mid field for the coin toss.

The bearkats would later tie the game to make it 7 – 7. Each team would then score again to make it 14 – 14. That was all that the lion defense would give up as they began punishing the Raymondville quarterback and running back play after play.

Robert Ceballos goes up for the interception.

Michael Vento and Pete Contreras led the lion defense in tackles with eleven each and Robert Ceballos contributed by snagging two interceptions.

Bearkat quarterback is brought down by a pack of Lions. Photos: David Briones/LFISD

With a few adjustments at halftime the lion defense shutout the bearkats offense the entire second half. The lion no huddle offense also got to the bearkats by the second quarter. The up tempo offense torched the bearkat defense for a total of 47 points for the game.

The Lion defense takes down the Bearkat runner.

The bearkats had no answer for all of the speed the lion’s had on the field. Thanks to a great offensive line, running back Darius Hernandez rushed for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns. Fellow lion, Julian Trevino also contributed with a long 60 yard touchdown to help pull away from Raymondville. But the Leija to Perez connection proved to be to much as the two connected for 4 touchdowns for the game.

Jonathan Leija looking for an open receiver.

All in all it was a great start to a very promising season for this years team. The lions will travel to Falfurrias and to Corpus Christi the next two weeks to play before returning home to play Port Isabel for homecoming on Friday, September 16. We wish the team and its coaching staff the best of luck as they shoot for another District Title for 2016.