Del Rio News Herald

The Rams varsity football team needs its 12th man now more than ever.

After a tremendous 28-23 win Friday night, the Rams remain tied for first place in District 29-5A with two games remaining – a Nov. 6 game in Laredo against the Laredo Martin Tigers and Friday night’s final home game against the San Antonio Southwest Dragons.

To say Friday night’s game will be one of the biggest in the Rams’ history is an understatement.

It’s been 16 years since Del Rio last won a district title in football. Last year the Rams had their hopes of a district title dashed out of town with back-to-back losses at Laredo United and at Southwest.

They exorcised one demon with the win over United. Now it’s time to finish things with a win over Southwest.

I know there are people out there saying that we would still need to beat Martin. I agree that the Martin win caps a district title, but in all honesty it’s Friday night’s game that’s the difference maker.

This is the last big district game for both teams. Southwest ends its district schedule with Eagle Pass C.C. Winn while the Rams get Martin. Combined, both of those teams have won exactly one district game this season and that’s because someone had to win when they faced each other.

The home crowd was in a rowdy and roaring mood this past Friday when the Rams faced off against United, and I know the team fed off that. I had my eyes on the field the whole time, but I was told there were several Rams imploring the already loud crowd to dig deep and get even louder.

And that they did, rattling the stadium during Del Rio’s final defensive stop and then staying around to applaud the team after the win. It’s why extra seats were opened up for fans and it’s why I hope it’s standing room only this Friday night.

How big is Friday night’s game?

Combined the teams have one loss, and that was by eight points. Del Rio hasn’t lost since Sept. 11 while Southwest hasn’t lost a district game since 2006.

It’s a match-up of the top offensive team in the district (Southwest – averaging 36.4 points per game this season, 41 points per game in district play) versus the top defensive team in the district (Del Rio – allowing 9.25 points per game this season, 10 points per game in district).

It’s the number three-ranked team in San Antonio in Southwest versus Del Rio, the number three-ranked defensive team in the Greater San Antonio area.

It’ll feature two of the top Class 5A running backs in the region as Del Rio’s John Steed (910 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Southwest’s Tre’vion Johnson (820 yards, 10 touchdowns) get ready to try and tear up some turf behind two of the best offensive lines in the region.

If any of the San Antonio news stations are looking for some big game coverage, I can’t think of any bigger this Friday night.

And speaking of that, I received an email this morning with details on how Rams fans can let at least one San Antonio TV station the heads up about what’s going on.

Fans can go online and log on to KSAT 12’s www.biggamecoverage.com and use the BGC Fan Cam Survey to select Del Rio vs. Southwest as a big game that station needs to cover. Results will be revealed Thursday night, so do your part to convince these folks to come down here.

So remember fans, don’t make plans Friday night unless it’s to go watch the Rams.

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I know I’ve spent most of this column talking about the next game, but I want to take a minute and talk about this past game and the effort put forth by the Rams defense.

When you give yourself a label, like “The Wrecking Crew,” you had better be able to back it up. That’s just what the Rams did against Laredo United.

Del Rio’s defense was all over United quarterback Joel Salas and prevented the reigning district offensive player of the year from getting into a rhythm. Whether it was Cory James making a leaping sack, Johnny Sanders swooping in from around the end and dropping whoever was unlucky enough to have the ball or Josh Washington diving to bat away a pass, the defense was everywhere it needed to be at just the right times.

It starts up front with the defensive line that features seniors Sanders, Ethan Durham and Joey Guzman and juniors Max Ponce and Weston Morgan. It’s supported by the best linebacking corps in the district in seniors Washington and Juan “Cowboy” Sanchez, and supporting senior ’backer Alejandro Reyna, and junior Cory James. And the blanket coverage and bone rattling hits provided by the experienced secondary of seniors Jeff McDaniels, Cody Brooks and Esteven Hernandez and junior Kevin Pierre-Louis, and sophomore Mario Salinas who started until he was injured, helps shut down wide receivers and leads to sacks and turnovers.

My hats off to all of those young men. They’ve provided the backbone to Del Rio’s history-making return to the playoffs and chances are they aren’t done yet.

I also want to commend the coaches who’ve helped mold the defense and made them the fearsome unit they’ve become.

It starts with defensive coordinator Dutch Wardlaw and rolls through defensive line coach Rick Torres, who is helped by head coach Steve Hoffman, linebacker coach Robert Young and defensive backs coach Carlos Barrera. Those men have gotten the kids to work together as a unit and have shown them that while offense sells tickets, defense wins championships.

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Brian Argabright has covered sports for the Del Rio News-Herald since 1996. “But That’s Just Me Talking” appears every Monday in the Del Rio News-Herald. Contact the author at brian.argabright(at)delrionewsherald.com.

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