Tough Luck

Lions face tough comp at state, get results needed for fall

photo and story by Billy Watson/LFN

A trip to College Station that consisted of a lightning delay, shortened pool-play games, and dramatic heat, all in two days proved to be a tough learning experience for the La Feria Lions 7on7 team.

The Lions went 2-3 overall at the State 7on7 tournament, which took place Thursday, June 27, and Friday, June 28, for divisions two and three.
A rain delay after their opening round loss to Jim Ned might have been what the Lions needed to get the state jitters out as the Lions went on to beat the Hirschi Huskies 32-21.

In the last game of pool action, Roll Pride took on the state-ranked Waco Connally Cadets and fell 26-20 in overtime after making quite a comeback, falling to 1-2 on the day.

“My first experience at state was pretty rough,” upcoming Lions senior quarterback Dorian Hernandez said. “I was hoping for a better first-day outcome, but I know we’re going to have the rhythm from tonight (Thursday), and we’re going to come rolling in with it tomorrow (Friday) morning, and we’re going to get stuff done.”

Bracket play on Friday started off with a bang with the Lions slipping by Brownwood 37-32 in which upcoming senior Caleb Flores and junior Chris Diaz each accounted for two touchdowns.

In round two, the Lions went up against Melissa, a game where the Lions led 21-7 early in the second half. The Cardinals prevailed and scored 21 unanswered to end the Lions’ tournament run.

After the loss, Lions coaches Chris Hernandez, father of Dorian, and Oren Treviño, father of upcoming sophomore receiver Aaron, thanked the team and told them how proud they had made La Feria.

“We hadn’t been here in a couple years,” Treviño said standing along side Coach Hernandez.

“This is one of the most complete teams I’ve seen in a long time. It was a great experience, and they (the team) played their hearts out, and we’re really proud of them.”

The level of competition is one main thought that crossed Coach Hernandez and Treviño while up in Aggieland.

“The first game, I think, was just jitters,” Treviño said. “They had not played against this level of competition.”

Hernandez agreed and reiterated the message of pre-tournament jitters and better competitors.

“We have a strong defense and secondary,” Hernandez noted, “and they know what they’re doing, and they made their adjustments by themselves pretty much. So, we trust these guys. Experience does help this team.”

Despite the 2-3 record, the Lions walked off the field with their heads held high knowing they had put on some impressive performances.

What to expect from the Lions this fall? Coach Treviño thinks it will a four-round deep team.

“I think La Feria can compete,” Treviño said. “We have the talent to do it, and I think Coach Oscar Salinas can do that for us.”

“We have the experience, we have the talent, the speed: everything necessary to get there,” Coach Hernandez said.

Both coaches have seen much success in football at La Feria High School, with Treviño already having his sons Dimas, Diego and Julian star on the football field as well as play other sports. For Hernandez, his son, Dorian, will be entering his senior year with Newcomer of the Year and MVP awards. So, it is no surprise that the two molded such a competitive 7on7 squad this summer.

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