RIO HONDO BOBCATS

Bobcats excited to play again

After a one-year hiatus from football due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rio Hondo Bobcats are eager to get back in the swing of things.

There are some challenges that come with missing a season, but there’s a strong senior class that will lead the charge.

“It was a difficult time for everybody last year. I have a couple of freshmen on varsity that the last time they played football was in seventh grade. Can you imagine?” Rio Hondo coach Rocky James said. “This is a senior class that as seventh and eighth graders did great, as freshmen did great and as sophomores went to the second round of the playoffs. … These kids are ready to go. They’re super excited to finally be able to play football.”

The big name to watch on Rio Hondo’s roster is Ethan Jeradiah. He’ll line up as the No. 1 running back and at linebacker. Along with Jeradiah, Zecharaiah Rios, Ismael Rodriguez, Matthew Lopez and Tomas Arredondo, all seniors, are a few others who will play both ways.

Some new names that James expects to have big roles as the Bobcats take on District 16-4A Division II are Roman Perez, Brandon Saldivar and Ruben Atkinson, who will join an elite group of freshman starters in Rio Hondo under James.

With Jeradiah headlining a skilled bunch, James expects the offense to be as explosive as ever.

Teaching and getting the defensive players comfortable tackling and doing stunts again has been the early challenge. But once the defense gets some reps in, the Bobcats expect to be competitive.

“I think we got a lot of teaching out of the way (in Week 1), which was the biggest obstacle on defense,” James said. “I think the offense is going to do really well. They’re going to jell early, and then I’m hoping the defense catches on and is able to play some lights-out football.”

bObcATS AT A GlANcE

COACH: Rocky James

ASSISTANTS: Victor Sauceda, offensive coordinator; Andres Alvarez, defensive coordinator; Sergio Gonzalez, special teams coordinator; David Zuniga; Tuffy Calderon; Mike Garza; Michael Alvarez; Benjamin Perez; Pablo De Los Santos; Candido Ochoa; Fernando Pizarro 2020 RECORD: Did not play

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Ethan Jeradiah, RB/LB, 6-foot-0, 190 pounds, sr.; Zechariah Rios, QB, sr.; Matthew Lopez, OL/DL, jr.; Tomas Arredondo, WR/DB, sr.