LA JOYA – To some football fans, a 3-0 start for La Joya might sound surprising. After all, the program has had just two winning seasons the last 13 years.

But if you talk to the team, they’ll tell you this is no surprise to them.

They’ve been saying from the start, the Coyotes are for real.

“It feels good,” said senior fullback Eddie Villarreal. “We’re starting something big in this program and we want to keep it going to be the number one in district, but we know it’s not going to be easy.”

“It’s very exciting for us,” said senior center Damian Tanguma. “We don’t know the last time we were 3-0 so it’s very exciting.”

Friday, La Joya beat Sharyland 31-7 to win their non-district finale. On defense, the Coyotes had three takeaways.

They’ve given up just one touchdown the last two weeks.

“Our defense is very aggressive,” said Farias. “They’re sound, they work hard, they’re very coachable. We might give up some big plays, but in the nitty gritty, when they have to make a play, nine out of 10 times throughout the season they’ve come up big.”

On the other side of the ball, it’s been hard to slow down the Coyotes’ new triple option attack.

From tackle to tackle, the Coyotes weigh almost 1,500 pounds. In the backfield, the team’s battering ram has been Villarreal.

“It feels good,” said Villarreal. “It’s just the work. It feels good running over people.”

“He’s a big guy,” said Tanguma. “We just need to make a little crease and he’ll take care of the rest.”

After three non-district wins, it’s now time for district play.

La Joya’s 30-6A opener is against PSJA.

“Very blessed and very grateful for the young men and the success they’re having this year,” said Farias.