Rio Hondo, Lyford square off in key District 32-3A contest

LYFORD — They certainly took different paths to get here, but the Lyford Bulldogs and Rio Hondo Bobcats are right where they want to be: fighting for the 32-3A district championship.

The two lock up tonight at Bulldog Stadium with a lot at stake. Lyford can clinch a share of the title officially while Rio Hondo can lock up a playoff spot with a win.

“They’re the defending district champs and they’ve won four in a row,” Lyford head coach Jaime Infante said of Rio Hondo. “Obviously, we’re not taking them lightly. We know what we’re playing against.”

The Bulldogs, ranked No. 5 by Valley Freedom Newspapers, are a perfect 8-0 (5-0 in district). The Bobcats (4-4, 4-1) know what they’re up against.

“We feel confident,” Rio Hondo head coach Rocky James said. “We know they’re (Lyford) a good football team, but we feel we have an advantage with all the big games we’ve played in.”

James was referring to last year’s run to the regional quarters plus a brutal nondistrict slate featuring Cuero and Ingleside.

Indeed, the Bobcats are streaking currently with wins over Port Isabel, Progreso, Hidalgo and Raymondville.

The running game has clicked with Isaiah De La Cruz (548 yards rushing), Trevor David (547) and Alan Garza (411). As Infante alluded to, the Dogs aren’t expecting a cake walk.

“I feel they’re gelling a lot better offensively and they always play tough defense,” Infante said of the Bobcats. “We’re expecting an all-out war just like last year’s game.”

Last year, Rio Hondo won a 57-50 shootout behind a dazzling performance from the departed Joseph Vela.

But things are a bit different this year.

Lyford comes in perfect on the year and brings with it the league’s best offense (389 ypg), best total defense (216 ypg allowed) and still boasts the top passer in the Valley in Johnny Esparza (2,104 yards, 23 TDs). Wideout Jacob Carranco (35 catches, 500 yards) leads the league in those departments as well.

“We hope to put some pressure on the quarterback to help our secondary out,” James said. “We’ve done a good job the past 4-5 weeks against the pass.”

For Rio Hondo, a chance to win their third straight league crown is all they’re asking for.

“It’d be awesome (to win),” James said. “To start 0-4 and to be able to share or grab the title outright says a lot about our kids.”

While the first perfect regular season for Lyford since 1969 would be nice, Infante said they have bigger goals in mind.

“We know the importance of the game as far as wrapping a district championship,” Infante said. “That’s the angle we’re taking. We really haven’t put much emphasis on the perfect season. We want the district championship and continue into the state playoffs. That’s been our focus.”

Armando Garza covers District 32-3A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers.