Lyford senior running back Abel Gonzalez ran for 117 yards on 17 carries en route to a 27-12 win over Aransas Pass last Friday night.
Last week’s rushing output was a season-high for both Gonzalez and Bulldogs (2-4, 2-1 District 16-3A Division I), who tallied 335 yards on the ground during their second straight win.
Through six games, Gonzalez has accumulated 202 rushing yards in 2019 and is averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He recorded 2-, 3- and 5-yard touchdowns during the victory Friday.
Freshman running back Osmar Martinez was another major contributor for Lyford, running for 146 yards on 15 carries.
Quarterback Brenden Nunez completed six of eight pass attempts for 68 yards. His top targets were Devon Mendoza (two catches for 35 yards) and Matthew Sanchez (three catches for 27 yards).
’KATS BACK
Raymondville is slated to return from its bye week with a trip to play District 16-4A Division II rival Rio Hondo at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Bearkats (5-1) boast the most explosive offense in the district, with nearly 2,500 total yards through six games.
The player responsible for a large chunk of that yardage and the 16-4A DII scoring leader, ZaRavion Armendarez, has been instrumental to Raymondville’s fast start this season.
The junior running back/wide receiver is the team’s leading rusher and leading pass-catcher, with 1,247 all-purpose yards. He also has scored 17 total touchdowns, 13 of which have come on the ground.
Most recently, he rushed for 133 yards and four touchdowns and caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Jayson Cantu in a 49-6 win over Orange Grove on Oct. 4.
RUSHING FALCONS
The Los Fresnos Falcons opened the District 32-6A season 1-0 after dismissing the Harlingen South Hawks 24-3 Friday night, and it was thanks in large part to running back Chris Resendiz.
Resendiz led the Falcons’ ground game with 147 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
It was an all-around good game for the Falcons, who also had Nico Valencia rush for 91 yards and Adrian Longoria, who stepped in at quarterback for an injured Matthew Padilla, pick up 88 more.
As a team, the Falcons rushed for 359 yards on 53 attempts.
The Falcons will look to have the same success when they face Rivera on Thursday for a chance to go 2-0 in district.
ON FIRE
Harlingen High stayed hot Friday night, earning their 60th win against the San Benito Greyhounds to now lead the series 60-25-5.
The Cards are 5-1 and have won three straight. While the offense continues to roll, the defense has gotten better each week and is yielding 11 points per game during the current streak.
Against San Benito, senior linebacker Gabriel Martinez collected three of the team’s six sacks and finished with 15 total tackles.
Big Red will play host to Hanna on Friday. The winner could be in the driver seat for the district title.
SLOWING ’HOUNDS
On Friday, San Benito lost its third straight game after a 2-1 start to the season. The loss to Harlingen High snapped a two year win streak against the Cards.
The Greyhounds took an early 7-6 lead on a Kyler Castilleja touchdown during the first quarter. After that, the Greyhounds never led again.
Senior QB Smiley Silva threw for a season-low 51 yards, going 5 for 11. On the ground, Silva had a mediocre night with 70 yards on 15 attempts. The 70 yards was his second-lowest total of the year.
San Benito struggled to get any offense going against the Cardinals’ defense, putting up 257 yards.
San Benito will meet Harlingen South on Friday at home. Last year, San Benito picked apart the Hawks 49-14.
HOPING TO REBOUND
Harlingen South also will look to bounce back after its Week 6 loss at Los Fresnos, its second straight. The offense took a step back by putting up just three points, a season low.
South and San Benito will be in search of their first district win of the season Friday.
