MARK MOLINA | Staff Writer
It was a tough start for the Harlingen Cardinals after not only falling to San Antonio Reagan 42-0 in San Antonio, but seeing their starting senior quarterback Bowie Davis go down with a calf injury.
It’s a blow for the Cardinals who prepare to host the 1-1 McAllen Bulldogs this Friday night at Boggus Stadium.
Last Friday night sophomore Jesse Castro was under center following Davis’ exit.
Castro is expected to fill in, but losing Davis’ general experience is an obvious setback for the Cards.
“We use the old theory of ‘next man up,’ but we also understand that you cannot coach experience and that’s what [Davis] has under his belt. Not at quarterback, but in game-type situations,” Gomez said Tuesday. “That’s one thing we’ll miss from him. He’s got game reps and that’s one thing that will hurt us, but we have kids stepping in who are doing a tremendous job.”
According to Gomez, Davis will be sidelined with the calf injury anywhere from three to six weeks, which would be quite a blow and may bleed into the time when district play comes around.
However, Gomez said “anything can happen” and it will depend on how Davis reacts to the rehab process.
“These kids are young and staying busy. When that happens, your body tends to recuperate, but it’s one of those things where a lot of it will be in his hands,” Gomez said. “He’s definitively excited to get back out there.”
HAWKS STILL LEARNING: South gave up 42 points to Edinburg Vela with 21 coming in the fourth.
Vela also dominated the special teams part of the game, giving them good field position which was even more of a problem as South’s defense disappeared after two drives.
As the Hawks prepare for 2-0 Weslaco East this Friday night, Wilson’s attitude is to continue the early-season learning process.
“We had trouble in all three phases on the game, so we’ll go back to the film and see what we need to do with a good football team,” Wilson said after Friday’s loss. “We had problems on special teams, on offense and on defense. We have a lot of things to work on and we’ll get it done.”
The Hawks did have some positives to look at as quarterback Jimmy Morton passed for more than 240 with no interceptions and the ground game recording 134 more yards.
They will need more of that when they visit Bobby Lackey Stadium Friday.
SAN BENITO DRAWS ANOTHER TOUGH OPPONENT: The Greyhounds came out once again Friday and had a solid effort on the ground as quarterback Christian Sierra and running back Gabriel Vasquez combined to run for 218 yards.
Sierra also scored twice, but in the end they were the ones who got torched as the Greyhounds allowed 427 yards to the Weslaco East Wildcats in a 42-14 loss.
The road only gets tougher as they welcome Trevor Speights and the McAllen Memorial Mustangs to Bobby Morrow Stadium this week.
Last week Speights racked up 254 yards and three scores in a losing effort.
Despite the Greyhounds being at the top of District 32-6A in defense, they will have their hands full.