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RIO HONDO — In simplest terms, Trevor David is a football player.

And a tremendous one at that.

A 1,300-yard rusher a year ago, the senior was tabbed before the season to help the Rio Hondo Bobcats with his defensive skills. He hasn’t disappointed, manning his linebacker spot and terrorizing the opposition in the process.

On Friday, he’ll be part of Bobcat team looking for its fifth straight win when they take on undefeated Lyford on the road in a game that has major 32-3A title implications.

“Where ever the team needs me to play, I’ll play,” he said. “I just help on both sides whenever I can.”

David broke out last week against Raymondville, rushing for 154 yards and a score as the Bobcats kept it on the ground. At linebacker, he recorded 14 tackles and a sack against the Bearkats.

“That was the best game I’ve seen him play as a high school athlete,” Rio Hondo head coach Rocky James said.

“And he’s capable of doing that every night.”

“It felt like old times,” David said with a smile. “But I love playing linebacker too. And I love playing running back.”

Through eight games, David’s rushed for 547 yards and six touchdowns. He’s pitched in 124 yards receiving on 11 grabs. But on defense, he’s been equally as solid, including a 24 total tackle night against Hidalgo in Week Seven.

“We knew last year we were gonna need him to play linebacker,” James said of David. “And he’s stepped in and been aggressive on defense.”

As the Cats struggled to an 0-4 mark, David wasn’t getting the touches he’d liked, as he was needed more on defense. But with the surging Rio Hondo running game coming around led by quarterback Isaiah De La Cruz (548 yards), David doesn’t have to switch sides with every change of possession.

“With Alan Garza (411 yards) emerging, it’s helped Trevor,” James said. “And Isaiah has been solid for us running the offense. But now we can bring Trevor in when he’s rested and ready to go.”

For David, a part of last year’s 10-3 run to the regional quarterfinals, he just wants to play football and try and help the Cats win a third straight district championship.

“We’ve all come together. We have a lot of young guys and a few of us left behind from last year,” David said. “But our practices have been more intense and we know what we want to accomplish.”

Armando Garza covers District 32-3A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers.