La Feria uses strong second half for first win of 2020

Updated: October 22, 2020

***Dereck Perez (#21) runs the ball deep into Hawk territory during their last faceoff on Friday, October 9th helping the Lions secure their first win of the 2020 season.*** Photo: Andrew Cordero / RSL

By KEVIN NARRO
RSL

LA FERIA–After an offseason filled with doubts and concerns the La Feria Lions took the field Friday night for the first time in 2020. The Lions despite not having a routine offseason found their mojo in the second half and cruised to a 41-13 district win over Zapata.

“Overall we are really happy with the performance,” said La Feria head coach Oscar Salinas. “We started out slow but the kids handled the adversity and we battled. It was a four quarter game and we won that game in the fourth quarter. The kids did a good job on keeping their composure and playing hard.”

The Lions who’s offense has been a juggernaut over the last few seasons outscored the Hawks 28-7 in the second half.

La Feria’s defense yielded two quick field goals and trailed 6-0 after the first quarter. For the next three quarters, the Lions found their form.

A pair of touchdowns from Angel Garcia and Dereck Perez gave the Lions a 13-6 lead. With the limited offseason the Lions are not where they need to be when it comes to being in football shape, but it is something Salinas and co. will continue to build on in the coming weeks.

“We are not in shape and you can’t simulate a Friday night game or at least having a scrimmage under our belts, but we knew it would be tough and knowing Zapata had that advantage on us,” said Salinas.

‘But the kids handled it well. We did OK with our conditioning but we did OK.”

Offensively the Lions put up gaudy numbers. Senior quarterback Dario Sanchez threw for 180 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Brandon Villanueva caught just two passes but torched the Hawks defense for an 85-yard touchdown. He would finish with 146 receiving yards.

The aerial attack is no surprise, the Lions however ran the ball extremely well and was one key formula to Friday’s win.

The two headed monster in Perez and Garcia ran wild against the Hawks defense. Garcia led the way with 25 carries for 159 yards and a touchdown while Perez carried the ball 11 times for 121 yards and a score.

Up next is a road trip at Grulla Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Lions escaped Grulla last year with a 28-23 win.

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