By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
By this time last year, the Harlingen Cardinals were facing not only tough pre-district opponents, but the injury bug as well.
This year, however, the Cards are not only healthy, but are 2-1 this season and carrying momentum heading into their district opener against the winless Brownsville Rivera Raiders.
Harlingen picked up two quality road victories in as many weeks, as they picked up a blowout win over McAllen and dismissed Weslaco on a late touchdown.
Add a close loss against San Antonio Reagan to begin the year and it was a sampling on what the season could be like for Manny Gomez and company going forward.
“It really summarizes the type of Friday nights we’re going to experience,” Gomez said.
“At times we’re going to be behind, we’re going to be up and then we’re also going to have to continue to fight and plug away.
“When it’s all said and done we’re going to have to keep playing because no matter the situation, you play as hard as you can.”
The Cards also come in as a well-balanced squad with the fourth best offense in 32-6A (386 yards per game) and the fifth-best defense, giving up 328 yards per game against a slate of tough opponents.
LONG LAYOFF, TOUGH TEST: When the Harlingen South Hawks take the field to open up District 32-6A play this weekend, it will have been 21 days since they last played a football game.
The Hawks’ last game was back on Sept. 4 in a 70-40 loss to No. 2 Edinburg Vela.
Their scheduled contest the following week against Weslaco East was canceled without a makeup game due to rain and lightning, sending the Hawks into the bye week winless at 0-2.
The Hawks will come in cold against the Brownsville Veterans Chargers, who are considered one of the Valley’s top teams this season.
The Chargers are the top offense in District 32-6A, averaging 489 yards in total offense per game this season.
They will certainly be a challenge for the South defense, which is last in the district, allowing 376 yards of total offense and 49 points a game to opposing offenses.