SAN BENITO — If the old saying “two good teams makes for one good game” is to be believed, then Saturday’s Harlingen Honeys vs. RGV Vixens matchup was exactly that.
One team was looking to solidify a top-four finish while the other was looking for some revenge, but both were looking for some momentum heading into next weekend’s first-round playoff games.
That momentum went to the Honeys. Adri Rodriguez helped herself for five touchdowns as she led the Honeys to an 81-58 victory over the Vixens on Saturday afternoon at Stookey Park.
“My motivation today was my team and joy sisters,” said Rodriguez. “Like I told the girls before, it takes a lot to just get to the game and when we do get here we look at each other and that’s all we need. My motivation every game is just to look at my sisters here with me on the same day and just ready to play.”
After the Honeys began the 2018 season on a 0-3 skid, the team got an injection of players back at the mid-point of the season and the difference between then and now has been noticeable.
“We had a couple of key players that began playing mid-season,” said Rodriguez. “It was tough getting everything going the start of the season, but toward the end of the season to just get it going and everything starts coming together.”
Erica Ortega got the Honeys on the scoreboard first after running the ball in from five yards out for an early lead. After a defensive stop, the Honey added on another to double the lead to 14-0. In total the Honeys scored on every possession in the first half to take a commanding 52-24 lead into the break.
But the Vixens got the offense going in the second half and quickly responded with 14 unanswered points to cut the deficit to 52-38. However, the Honeys settled down and continued to move the ball and added to their lead.
The game was the second of the day for the Vixens after playing another game at 10 a.m. against the Laredo Phantasy. The Vixens defeated the Phantasy 71-45.
Both teams now await their first-round opponents, which will be decided today.
