Lions Headed to Third Round for the First Time in Ten Years

story and photos by Billy Watson/LFN

MATHIS, TX – Pirate Stadium was filled with smiles and players holding up three fingers as the La Feria Lions downed the Needville Blue Jays 49-34 on Friday, November 23, in Mathis, Texas.

With Needville leading 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Lions put their foot on the gas and electrified the scoreboard, putting up 21 in the second quarter, 14 in the third, and another 14 in the fourth.

Lions Head Coach Oscar Salinas was proud of his kids and the performance they gave Friday night.

“I told them before the game and even before the start of this week to believe in these guys, and they did,” Salinas said, “We played a hell of a game tonight, especially offensively.”

Lions quarterback Dorian Hernandez led the scoring load with five total touchdowns (four rushing, one passing) and 333 total yards (191 rushing and 142 passing).

“We came firing out in the first half,” Hernandez said, “and I told the team to be humble and not to get complacent at halftime.”

“It felt like electricity running through my body,” Hernandez added on his five-touchdown night, “and it felt amazing.”

Tailback Darius Hernandez also helped pace the Lions with five catches for 70 yards, including a rushing touchdown and 22 yards on the ground.

The Lions defense also roared, which included a possession with four sacks and a turnover-on-downs.

With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Noah Conde intercepted a deep pass by the Needville quarterback and sealed the area championship game.

The win puts the Lions back in the third round of the state playoffs for the first time since 2008 when the Lions faced a tough Cuero Gobblers team and lost 55-13.

The team they’ll have to face this year: the 11-1 and District 15-4A District Champion La Vernia Bears.

The game is set for a 2 p.m. start on December 1 at Buc Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas.