By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s hopes for a playoff spot may be done, but there’s more to play for in the Rams’ season finale.
According to the current football standings in District 30-6A, the Rams do not have a chance to make the postseason. Del Rio sits in fifth place with a 2-3 record in 30-6A, one game behind Laredo United South and Laredo Alexander who are both 3-2.
What stops the Rams from fighting for a playoff spot is that if the three teams finish 3-3, Alexander and United South each have the edge over Del Rio due to head-to-head results. Alexander beat Del Rio 48-14 Oct. 3 and United South beat Del Rio 35-14 on Oct. 18. That knocks the Rams out of contention for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Should the three teams finish 3-3, United South would earn the third seed and Alexander would be the fourth seed due to South beating Alexander head-to-head. South closes the regular season against 0-5 Laredo LBJ and Alexander renews its rivalry against 5-0, and district champion, Laredo United.
Del Rio’s hopes for a strong finish to the season should be bolstered by the return of a healthy Jayden Mendoza. The Rams offense has looked stronger under Mendoza, including a 14-13 win over Medina Valley whose only other loss came against United. A junior, Mendoza’s absence due to injury this season changed the course of the Rams’ season. A win in the finale would go a long way in bolstering his confidence and providing hope to the underclassmen set to return for the 2025-26 season.
The Rams are currently 3-6 on the season. It’s the most wins the Rams have had since the 2021-22 season. A win over Eagle Pass Thursday in the season finale for both teams would give the Rams four wins for the first time since 21-22. Del Rio hasn’t posted a winning record since finishing 10-2 in the 2016-17 season.
Eagle Pass has had a season to forget. The Eagles are currently 1-4 in district this season and 3-5 overall. They hadn’t won fewer than seven games in a season since the 2016-17 season, a streak that ends this season. Eagle Pass has won the last seven meetings against Del Rio. The Rams’ last win against the Eagles came in 2016, a 24-17 victory in Eagle Pass.
Thursday’s finale between the Rams and the Eagles will be contested at Eagle Pass’ Cozel-Foster Stadium beginning at 7 p.m. Weather is expected to be in the high 60’s with a 24 percent chance of rain.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
