MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
Harlingen South had nothing but pride to play for Friday night when they hosted San Benito, but that didn’t stop their defense from turning in a clutch performance against the 32-6A leading San Benito Greyhounds.
During their 21-20 barn-burning win Friday night at Boggus Stadium, the Hawks’ defense held the Greyhounds to 327 yards and five turnovers.
This season the ‘Hounds were averaging better than 400 yards a game and were undefeated in district play.
“You know it helps getting that win. We limited mistakes the other night and we got some turnovers,” Harlingen South head football coach Lanny Wilson said Tuesday. “Anytime you win, it’s good. It was also a win over a really good team; that’s given us some confidence.”
The defense’s big night forced San benito quarterback Cristian Sierra to move around in the pocket while the secondary covered well all night.;
Sierra threw three interceptions on the night one to South’s Darren Perez and two to Manny Menchaca, including one which ended the game.
The Hawks also forced a fumble and the special teams returned a fumble on a punt return for a touchdown.
RIVALRY RENEWED: Crosstown rivals Harlingen High and Harlingen South meet again Friday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen, but this time around things are much different.
Last season, the Cardinals and Hawks each a playoff berth wrapped up and were fighting one another for the district crown. This season, Harlingen High needs a win and help if it hopes to earn a share of the district crown, and Harlingen South is playing for pride, perhaps being a spoiler.
Each team comes in on a positive note. The Cardinals have won two straight games and the Hawks handed San Benito its first district loss of the season last week.
32-6A STILL A LITTLE FUZZY: As we enter week 11 the playoff picture for 32-6A looks a little messy.
San Benito, Los Fresnos and Harlingen have all punched their ticket to the postseason despite what happens this Friday.
San Benito, however, is the only team with any hopes of an outright title with only one loss.
Harlingen, Los Fresnos and Rivera all share a 4-2 record right now.
Should Rivera hand San Benito their second-straight loss and Los Fresnos and Harlingen win their games, the district will end up with four 5-2 teams and Brownsville veterans gets eliminated.
Vets can win but still miss out if Harlingen and Los Fresnos both lose.
If that happens, Rivera will clinch a spot automatically.
Rivera winning also gets them a spot, but so does a Veterans loss.
Vets plays Lopez and Rivera faces San Benito.
Staff Writer Andrew Crum contributed to this report