Linebackers Hunter, David lead a surging Rio Hondo defense

RIO HONDO — Dressed in western-style jeans and scuffed boots, Maverick Hunter and Trevor David perfectly embody the Rio Hondo Bobcats defense.

The pair of senior linebackers isn’t in your typical pretty boy mold. They’re tough, rugged guys who love to play football.

And so are the rest of Rio Hondo defenders.

Spurred by their linebacking crew (along with Jesse Terrones) the Bobcats hope to shut down La Feria on Friday night in the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week.

“We’ve played great defense since district started,” Rio Hondo head coach Rocky James said. “We’re at a point in the season where finally, we’ve seen it all and the kids feel comfortable.”

After a rough 0-4 start the saw them give up an average of 366 yards per game, Rio Hondo has settled down and allowed just 276 yards per game over their next five outings.

With that improvement, the Bobcats, ranked last in 32-3A in total defense early on, have shot up to fifth, allowing 314 yards per clip.

The fiery Hunter leads the Bobcats in total tackles with 90 total. He’s also recorded six sacks through nine games.

“We had a lot of young guys early on,” Hunter said. “But as the year progressed, we all got better.”

David, who doubles as a tough-to-tackle running back, has racked up 83 total tackles and four sacks during his time in the middle.

“Everyone’s just been playing harder and stepping up,” David said of the unit’s recent hot streak. “We all want more and even the young guys don’t want to lose.”

Terrones has chipped in 37 total tackles with three sacks from his linebacker spot.

Freddy Gonzalez leads the Cats in sacks with eight.

Rio Hondo has allowed just one 200-yard passing game, which came at the hands of the Valley’s leading passer, Lyford QB Johnny Esparza, last week.

And they’re tough against the run, too.

Though Lyford is a pass-first team, the Bobcats allowed just 35 rushing yards last week. Against Raymondville the prior week, the Cats gave up a paltry 77. Even against Hidalgo with a 1,000-yard rusher in John Pena, Rio Hondo allowed only 113.

Now the Lions come calling, and although they average just over 215 yards per game, La Feria presents a balanced attack.

“We just played Lyford and they’re the best passing team,” Hunter said. “But our secondary has been playing well.”

Especially solid has been Lion quarterback Justin Rodriguez, who comes off a season-high 308 yards passing. He is third in 32-3A in total passing (1,382 yards, 14 TDs).

So with the season on the line, David knows what needs to be done defensively.

“We just need to keep on winning so we can keep on playing,” he said.

Hunter knows exactly what he means.

“We all have that feeling of winning and we don’t want to lose that taste,” he said. “Every game Rio Hondo plays in, we expect to play to win.”

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