HARLINGEN — The Harlingen Cardinals walked away with a share of the District 32-6A title in a 2014 season that was full of obstacles and eventually ended with an early playoff exit.
Naturally, the Cards were chomping at the bit to get out on the field Monday afternoon at Boggus Stadium and put last season behind them.
The wait was a little longer due to Harlingen changing pace with spring practice earlier this year, but head coach Manny Gomez was just happy to get going.
“The fall is a great time in the State of Texas; there’s nothing better than high school football,” Gomez said. “It’s great for the communities in the RGV and here in Harlingen.”
In 2014, the Cards’ season took a turn in Week 2 with key injuries throwing a wrench in their offensive plans.
The Cards weathered an 0-2 start to the season and finished district play with a 5-2 record while battling injuries all season long — most notably at quarterback.
The Cards’ ground game got them to the postseason, but they ultimately fell to Weslaco in a 3-0 defensive struggle.
Harlingen returns just two starters on offense this season, but will once again trot out a stout defense with seven returning starters.
Gomez hopes for a healthier year, but knows nothing is guaranteed.
“Injuries are part of it, but we had too much of it,” Gomez said. “We’re out here excited about a new year, but the expectations are always the same. The bottom line is that it is a new year with a new outcome.
“We’re just going to take it a week at a time and play as hard as we can.”
On defense, the Cardinals will be strong with Defensive Newcomer of the Year Edwin Gasca at defensive end and all-district honorable mention Travis Barnes at defensive tackle.
Charlie Moreno returns at linebacker and Robert Castillo at corner. Castillo was first-team all-district and Moreno was given an honorable mention nod.
On offense, the Cards will be strong on the ground once more as Offensive Newcomer of the Year Leo Tienda returns at running back after racking up 875 yards and nine touchdowns last year.
He’ll have the luxury of offensive lineman Davis Ericksmoen, a second-team all-district selection in 2014.
“We’re excited and we’re just looking for maximum effort from our players. We know we can’t be perfect, but we can have perfect effort,” Gomez said. “I’m looking for effort. We know what we have, but we have to get into game shape.
“One way to do that is to get through these hot days and then fine tune and work on execution.”