A successful run by the La Feria Lions went three rounds deep in the state 3-A playoffs under the guidance of head football coach Elifonso Esquivel, assistant football coaches Elifonso Esquivel II and Elias Esquivel. All three had an impact in leading the Lions to two wins in the playoffs before exiting the postseason with a loss to Cuero.

While three Esquivels fill not only the head coaching position and two other slots on the Lion’s football staff, Elias Esquivel Jr. is the starting linebacker for the La Feria defense and also serves as the team’s punter.

The run through the playoffs led the Lions to a bi-district win over Robstown 3-0 in a defensive struggle and the team followed that up with a showdown in San Antonio’s Alamodome versus 29-AAA champion Bandera.

La Feria went on to defeat Bandera 34-14 to advance to the regional round.

"It was not pointed out to me until later that La Feria’s win over Bandera in San Antonio was the Rio Grande Valley’s first win over a San Antonio area team at the Alamodome," pointed head coach Elifonso Esquivel during an interview here in Carrizo.

The Lions were not projected no better than fifth in an eight team district that was revamped in the recent realignment that now consisted of six schools that had made the state playoffs in 2007.

"Although we were picked near the bottom with a young and inexperienced team, our schedule was tough in non-district against playoff teams Mercedes, Weslaco, Santa Rosa and our first scrimmage was against 5-A La Joya," pointed out Esquivel on the Lions slow start. "The kids worked hard and believed. They worked in getting better every week although La Feria’s record ws 1-4, including a 0-2 mark in district the team peaked at the right time and finished 6-1 in district play."

Key to the Lions confidence and success was against Zapata, a team that had beaten district favorite Rio Hondo.

"Our defense scored twice against Zapata along with twenty one points by the offense," said Esquivel in the turning point of the season as the Lions beat Zapata 51-14.

Making the playoffs the Lions opened bi-district against  a tough Robstown team that had made the move from 4-A to 3-A this season.

"Our defense stopped Robstown three times in the redzone and our offense, which did not score many points controlled the clock in the game," said Esquivel on the 3-0 win on a 38 yard field goal by the Lions.

Playing Bandera in the area round at the Alamodome, the Lions faced yet another strong team in the Bulldogs, champions of 29-AAA.

"We had already scouted Bandera and knew they had swept the district and had  three potential Division I college players," said coach Esquivel. "I told the kids not to be satisfied to be playing in the Alamodome. Half of the kids had not even been to San Antonio and not seen the Alamodome. I told them for this game to leave it all on the field agaisnt Bandera."

One of the keys according to coach Esquivel was letting the team have fun during the walk through practices to get the kids familiar with the vast expanse of the Alamodome.

Tied at 14-14 at the half the Lions took control of the game in the second half as the La Feria defense led by All State linebacker Steve White kept the Bandera offense in check as the Lions rolled to the 34-14 win.

"The entire community of La Feria made the long trip to San Antonio and the Lions side of the stadium was filled," added Esquivel on the support the team got from La Feria.

Recognized as the Rio Grande Valley’s athletic program of the year and beating out class 4-A and 5-A schools in winning the award last year, head football coach Elifonso Esquivel has this year been selected the caoch of the year by High School Sports Magazine.

Coach Elifonso Esquivel who welcomed his brother Elias back to the valley last year and the reunion of the two coaching brothers is as Coach Esquivel stated "one big happy family" with son Elifonso II part of the La Feria staff.

Parents of head football coach Elifonso Esquivel and Elias still reside here in Carrizo Springs.

"We call our parents twice a day and talk to our mom and dad on a daily basis," said on his parent Elifonso Sr.and Lydia. " I feel one of the reasons we were successful was the blessings by our parents and the prayers for us along with team."