By Brian Argabright
Before the season began, Del Rio Rams head football coach Roderick Taylor said he had something special brewing with this year’s team.
Based on what’s happened so far, you can add “prophet” to Taylor’s long list of credentials.
Del Rio ended a four-year playoff drought Friday night with a convincing 36-7 win over Laredo Alexander. Now, Taylor said the Rams aren’t ready to rest on just snapping that streak. He said their sights are set on a district championship.
The Rams are 3-1 in district play with two games left. United South is 2-2 and then comes Eagle Pass, which is unbeaten. A win over United South would set the Rams up to possibly finish no worse than second, but it would also set up a showdown with the longtime rival Eagles with a share of the district crown on the line.
“Our kids have their sights set on hopefully playing for a district championship. Right now (United South) is in our way to keep us from something we want to accomplish. They’re a point in the road we have to deal with, but they’re a good team that’s well coached and we have to make sure we’re ready to go,” Taylor said. “A lot of their offense goes through one person – Brian Benavides – and we have to contain and keep him out of the end zone.”
Benavides has been one of most consistent offensive weapons in the district during his time as a varsity running back. He set the Laredo rushing record earlier this season and has amassed more than 4,400 yards in his high school career. Last year against the Rams, Benavides scored once, but also lost a fumble inside the five-yard line in a 24-21 Panthers win.
This is Taylor’s second season as head coach of the Rams. Last year, Del Rio finished 2-8 overall, but remained in the playoff hunt until a loss to Alexander in their ninth game of the season officially eliminated the Rams from postseason contention.
Taylor said the biggest change this year came from the attitude of his players and coaches.
“Our kids and coaches were sick and tired of not being considered being someone other teams had to worry about. They didn’t want people to see us on a schedule and say, ‘Well, that’s a win,’” Taylor said. “I think the turning point for us has been our work ethic in the weight room and our physical conditioning. We’ve been the team that’s been in the most shape and is the most physical. Every time when the officials have to stop the game it’s not our guys on the ground, lord bless us. Our guys succeed because of their commitment to what we do physically and that enables them to play their very best.”
