MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Harlingen Cardinals won the battle in the trenches and methodically ran the Harlingen South Hawks into submission, picking up a 21-3 win, and a seventh straight Bird Bowl win Friday night at Boggus Stadium.
The Cardinals controlled the game tempo from the start , as running back Leo Tienda and quarterback Jesse Castro helped Harlingen consistently run the ball throughout a rainy Bird Bowl XXII.
The win gives the Cardinals (6-4, 5-2) a share of the District 32-6A title after Brownsville Rivera handed San Benito its second straight district loss also on Friday.
All three teams are 5-2 in district play and Los Fresnos has a chance to finish with the same record should they beat Brownsville Hanna tonight.
The Cardinals defense also came up big and did its part, holding the Hawks (3-7, 2-5) to a 33-yard field goal late in the first quarter, ending a drive the Hawks started on the Cardinal 34-yard line.
It was an all-around team effort for Harlingen head coach Manny Gomez who expected a grind-it-out type game.
“We knew they (South) were going to be physical and run the ball right at us. We did what we had to do and came out victorious; I’m proud of the kid’s effort,” Gomez said. “The kids were determined and the offensive line did a great job paving the way and opening those holes; tremendous team effort tonight.”
On the other side, South did come out running but did not have the same success in a game where the Hawks had just four second-half drives, including just one in the fourth.
Still, South head coach Lanny Wilson will end the season content with his team’s effort.
“Harlingen is a good football team and they ran the ball very well— we didn’t control the game tonight,” said Wilson said. “Our guys don’t quit. I appreciate the seniors who have been out here three years and have worked hard. They had a lot of opportunities to quit with being out of the playoffs early and the injuries, but they never did.”
Early on, both teams struggled to move the ball as they exchanged punts in the first quarter.
Following a field goal by South’s Fabi Miltos, Harlingen’s run game came alive as the next two drives were dominated by the Cardinals ground game.
Tienda broke off a couple of lengthy runs early in the second quarter and scored from 2 yards out, and Castro followed that on the next drive with a pair of 13-yard runs, one which went for a touchdown late in the second to give the Cards a 14-3 lead at the half.
Tienda found the end zone once more in the second half for a 3-yard score to put the contest out of reach. He finished the game with 192 yards on 26 carries.
The Hawks did get solid running from Jared Sheneman, but the Cardinal defensive front never caved as they played just 17 downs in the second half.
NOTES: Prior to celebrating with the Bird Bowl trophy, an emotional Manny Gomez took the time to dedicate the win to a close family friend Ryan Garcia. According to Gomez, Garcia is “battling” and undergoing brain surgery today at a Houston-area hospital.
Bird Bowl results
HARLINGEN — The following are the past Bird Bowl results between the Harlingen Cardinals and Harlingen South Hawks. Harlingen leads the all-time series 18-4.
Bird Bowl I Harlingen 13, South 12 (1993)
Bird Bowl II: Harlingen 25, South 22 (1994)
Bird Bowl III Harlingen 29, South 0 (1995)
Bird Bowl IV Harlingen 14, South 7 (1996)
Bird Bowl V Harlingen 48, South 14 (1997)
Bird Bowl VI South 35, Harlingen 14 (1998)
Bird Bowl VII South 17, Harlingen 14 (1999)
Bird Bowl VIII Harlingen 35, South 21 (2000)
Bird Bowl IX Harlingen 42, South 17 (2001)
Bird Bowl X Harlingen 26, South 22 (2002)
Bird Bowl XI Harlingen 31, South 28 (2003)
Bird Bowl XII Harlingen 42, South 26 (2004)
Bird Bowl XIII Harlingen 52, South 36 (2005)
Bird Bowl XIV South 17, Harlingen 6 (2006)
Bird Bowl XV South 21, Harlingen 7 (2007)
Bird Bowl XVI Harlingen 54, South 7 (2008)
Bird Bowl XVII Harlingen 66, South 7 (2009)
Bird Bowl XVIII Harlingen 75, South 21 (2010)
Bird Bowl XIX Harlingen 69, South 7 (2011)
Bird Bowl XX Harlingen 38, South 23 (2012)
Bird Bowl XXI Harlingen 21, South 14 (2013)
Bird Bowl XXII Harlingen 21, South 3 (2014)