Bobcats fall in close contest

RIO HONDO — It was opening night at Rio Hondo for the defending District 32-3A champs, but the Robstown

Cottonpickers came to Bobcat Field with a fierce resolve Friday, outlasting the Bobcats, 24-20.

After a lackluster first half, in which both teams struggled to find a rhythm and were deadlocked at 7 apiece, the scoring explosion began, including an 86-yard kickoff return/recovered fumble finally taken in by  Tino Ortega for a Bobcat touchdown at the end of the third quarter. 

Running back Eliseo Adame, who fumbled the return after a tough sideline hit, scored earlier on an equally dramatic 45-yard run in the second quarter to lead the Rio Hondo scoring.

The kickoff return gave Rio Hondo a 14-10 lead and the momentum, but Robstown kept rebounding with a couple of quick strikes. Quarterback Joe Mungia hit Marty Gutierrez across the middle for a 74-yard score 15 seconds later.

Then, after the ’Cats methodically went down the field on an 11-play, 67-yard scoring drive to go up 20-17 with 5:54 left, Mungia ran for a 66-yard score a minute later to retake the lead for good.

’Cats head coach Rocky James admired Robstown’s tactical approach.

“From the whole second quarter on, they went to an empty backfield and we hadn’t worked on that too much. It was something that caught us off guard. We did well at times, we stopped them a bunch of times. But they got some big plays on us,” he said.

“We’re a young team,” James added. Isaiah de la Cruz (12 for 21, 70 yards and 3 interceptions) “is going to grow into his position. For the first time, in the Friday night lights as quarterback, I thought he did very well.”

Playing a game like this is all part of James’ plan. “It will help the kids to understand what it takes to win a football game. That’s why I play these teams. Robstown, Cuero (sixth in state), Ingleside. It’s not for all the wins. It’s to get our guys ready for our district.”

“We’re going to be fine. We just got to keep growing and get better each week. And by the time we reach district we’ll be ready to rock and roll.”