LYFORD – The Bulldogs are teeing off with Austin on their minds. The Lyford boys are going to state for the first time as a team under long-time coach Mark Garza.

“To think of, if any team has come out of Lyford to go to state, that’s exciting,” said Garza. “Our kids are real fired up. I’m real excited for them.”

“This year I’m on the team and it feels amazing to be part of the team going to state,” said sophomore Alejandro Perez.

The Bulldogs clinched their ticket to state in dramatic fashion, beating Industrial High in a playoff at regionals.

“When we realized it, it was one of those like birthday gift kind of surprise things,” said junior Jonathan Rodriguez. “Something to experience.”

Freshman Jaime Serna grew up on the course the team practices at in Raymondville. He’s one of the team’s best golfers.

His cousin, former Lyford golfer Jacob Serna, qualified three times for the state tourney as an individual.

“It’s really big, it’s really cool,” said Jaime Serna. “Going up to Austin and to get the experience and hopefully make it again sometime in the next three years. I want to one-up him.”

The state tournament tees off May 14 in Austin.