By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
It was a big week for the sports area as rivalries got heated and seasons kicked off.
The golf season got started at the Los Fresnos Invitational and on the football field, the Battle of the Arroyo added a thrilling installment to its rich history.
Out on the golf course Harlingen’s Morgan McClaugherty started off the season on the best step possible and in San Benito Friday night, quarterback Cristian Sierra was leading the Greyhounds to a thrilling comeback win over the Harlingen Cardinals.
As a result of their performances, McClaugherty and Sierra have earned the right to be called the Valley Morning Star’s Athletes of the Week.
This past weekend, McClaugherty took the course at South Padre Island Golf Course and shot an even par 72 to come out on top of a field of 35 other participants, kicking off her year with a tournament win.
A humble McClaugherty will be the first to admit that it was no easy feat with the elements.
“I struck the ball really well and I’m pleased with that,” she explained. “As the winds pick up, you can expect a few shots to get away from you. I putted well but couldn’t seem to get some to drop.
“All in all, you can’t be too upset with an even par.”
For Cristian Sierra, all seemed dark Friday as the Greyhounds scored late, but still trailed the Cardinals 21-11 with just over five minutes to play in the game.
With no timeouts and their final two possessions, Cristian Sierra led two touchdown drives and completed his final seven passes that included a 29-yard game-winning strike to Armando Medrano with 34 seconds left.
The heroics, while exciting, was no surprise to San Benito head coach Dan Gomez, who knew his team could make the comeback.
”If anyone has been to our games they’ve seen (what we could do all year); we take it one play at a time,” Gomez said.
The win helped get the Greyhounds to 4-2 on the year and off to a 3-0 District 32-6A start.
Sierra finished the game with 240 yards on 16 of 35 passing and two touchdowns.
He also had 129 rushing yards on 28 carries.