By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
The Harlingen High Cardinals got off to a fast start against the Lopez Lobos and put enough points on the board before halftime to secure a 35-16 win Friday night at Sams Memorial Stadium.
The Cardinals (5-4, 4-2 in District 32-6A) set the tone early and took a 35-0 lead into the locker room. Running back Leo Tienda led the way during the first quarter with five carries for 35 yards and two touchdowns. That was in addition to a strip fumble recovery by Edwin Gasca, who returned the ball 14 yards for a score.
“The effort was great today,” Harlingen High coach Manny Gomez said. “Lopez hasn’t won a game, but they play hard and it showed.”
Lopez (0-9, 0-6) failed to keep up offensively. During the first half, the Lobos hardly advanced the ball, earning one first down on 5 yards.
Tienda added another touchdown during the second quarter on a 28-yard reception from Jesse Castro, and Michael Allen Gonzalez ran 19 yards into the end zone minutes later.
The second half was much quieter for Harlingen High, as it rarely advanced much further than midfield.
Lopez, however, found some life during the second half. Martin Vela scored on a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter, and quarterback Mike Vasquez scrambled 29 yards for another Lobos score midway through the fourth quarter.
“(The team) had more fun the second half,” Lopez coach Jason Starkey said. “I’m proud of my kids, especially my seniors. They never quit, and that’s the bigger picture. I’m proud of the fact that they didn’t give up today.”
The win goes a long way for the Cardinals, who are now in a favorable position in the district standings. The Lobos, however, will need to wait another week to search for their first win of the season.
“Every week is an opportunity to get better,” Gomez said. “It’s going to be a great game (next week). South is going to be on an emotional high after beating a good team in San Benito. It should be interesting.”
Lopez will wrap up its regular season next week against the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Sams Memorial Stadium. Harlingen High will try to lock in to a playoff spot when it faces crosstown rival Harlingen South at 7:30 p.m Nov. 7 at Boggus Stadium.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.