By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
After an 0-5 start to the season, the true test for the Del Rio Rams football team begins Friday night when the squad looks for a third straight trip to the postseason in a district where there’s little room for error.
Del Rio opens play in District 30-6A Friday night in Laredo as they travel to face the Laredo LBJ Wolves at 7 p.m. at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Complex.
If the start to the Rams’ season wasn’t what the Del Rio players and coaches expected, then the opposite could be said for LBJ. The Wolves’ only loss this season was a 14-13 defeat to Laredo Cigarroa. Since then, LBJ has outscored its opponents 121-27 in its last three games including a 42-14 shelling of La Joya in the Wolves’ final non-district game.
The Wolves already have more wins this season than they’ve had in their previous six seasons. The last time LBJ finished the season with a winning record was 2015, so every game means that much more for the Wolves.
At the heart of this renaissance is sophomore quarterback Guillermo Trejo. Trejo had a field day against La Joya, throwing for 400 yards and six touchdowns in the win. Senior Gerardo Mendoza was his target of choice, connecting with the senior pass catcher for four touchdowns including two that went for more than 65 yards each.
Trejo also threw a screen pass to senior Rene Ramos that turned into an 80-yard touchdown and found JJ Diaz for a 29-yard score.
LBJ’s offense has become much more dangerous with Trejo under center. The pass first style offense has allowed the young gunslinger to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers quickly and the blocking has been solid, turning short gains into big plays. It doesn’t hurt that the speed of players like Mendoza and Ramos can keep defenses grasping at air if they don’t make their tackles as early on in the play as possible.
Defensively LBJ has emerged as one of the top units in the district. The Wolves have never lacked for intensity and it was their defense that nearly upset Del Rio last season. Two pick sixes and a pair of fumble recoveries helped stake LBJ to a 19-0 lead before Del Rio was able to rally and stop the Wolves, 24-19. That game was marked by Rams quarterback Zack Taylor’s 383 yards of total offense including a 98-yard touchdown run.
This season hasn’t been as productive for the Rams and Taylor. Now a junior, Taylor struggled in non-district play as injuries to the offensive line forced Taylor to become a man on the run. Now that defenses are aware of his speed, he’s had more trouble escaping the rush. Twice he’s been pulled from the game this season and backup Eliseo Ortiz has run the offense, but after a bye week that gave the Rams a chance to heal and regroup, a game like this may be just what Taylor needs.
Del Rio should be back at full strength for this game. Playmakers like Alan Dobbins, Jovahn West, Corbin Farrar, Ethan Matherne, Elian De La Paz and touchdown leader Zane Hughes should matchup well against the stout Wolves defenders. The Rams should take advantage of their speed and height and should challenge LBJ’s defense.
As for Del Rio’s defense, the Rams will need to be solid in their tackling and reads to prevent LBJ’s playmakers from getting into open space and running up and down the field at will. If the frontline can put pressure on Trejo, then the linebackers and secondary need to do their part and keep the receivers and backs in front of them. LBJ’s offense is predicated on strong blocking from its receivers downfield, so the Rams can’t get caught up in the wash.
Fans attending Friday night’s game in Laredo are reminded that the SAC has a clear bag policy.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
