DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The official start of the 2016 high school football season is still several months away. However, the Harlingen Cardinals are already hard at work preparing for that day.
On Monday, under the watchful eye of coach Manny Gomez, the Cards began spring practice as they have for the past couple of years.
Gomez did not always allow the Red Birds to take advantage of spring ball since participating in it forces teams to begin practice a week later come August.
However, recently, Gomez has taken advantage of the opportunity to work out his squad before summer vacation begins.
Last season, the Cardinals finished at 10-3 overall and 6-1 in District 32-6A to clinch a share of the league title and advance to the playoffs where they went three rounds deep before losing a hard-fought game to Smithson Valley.
While the Cards will lose a few key players on defense this offseason, including end Charlie Moreno and tackle Travis Barnes, their offense should be in good hands with quarterback Jesse Castro and running back Leo Tienda set to return for their senior seasons.
Harlingen opens the 2016 season at home on Aug. 25 against Mission Veterans then hosts Laredo United South on Sept. 2 before hitting the road for a Week 3 game at San Antonio Regan.
While the Cardinals began spring ball Monday, across town at Harlingen South, the Hawks are set to take the field at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday with new head coach Brian Ricci at the helm.
Ricci, who was hired on March 8, was the offensive coordinator at Richmond George Ranch High School, which won the Class 5A Division I state championship last season.
Ricci replaced Lanny Wilson, who retired earlier this year after four years at South.
Last season, the Hawks were 3-6 overall, 3-4 in league play and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Ricci will obviously look to change things in Hawks Country.
The Hawks will play Edinburg North, PSJA High and McAllen High in non-district action this season, and then host Bird Bowl XXIV vs. the Cardinals to open up district play in Week Five on Sept. 23.
Another new head coach who will open spring ball on Wednesday is Los Fresnos’ Patrick Brown, who was hired in February to replace Clint Finley, who left for greener pastures in Big Spring.
Brown spent the past few years as head coach at San Antonio Sam Houston High School, where the Hurricanes won the District 28-5A title and went 10-1 on the season.
The Falcons will hit the practice field at 4:45 p.m. each day beginning Wednesday and on May 27 will hold a Maroon vs. Gold game at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium.
Last season, the Falcons were 9-2 overall and clinched a share of the 32-6A title with a 6-1 record. Weslaco High defeated them 49-28 in the opening round of the playoffs.