DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer
Things didn’t go so well for the Harlingen Cardinals last week.
The Red Birds committed an uncharacteristic six turnovers (1 INT, 4 fumbles, 1 lost onside kick) and Laredo United South took advantage in a 30-13 win in front of a stunned Boggus Stadium crowd.
The disappointing loss dropped the Cards to 1-1 on the season. And while head coach Manny Gomez wasn’t happy about the loss, he remained very upbeat.
“We still have a lot of season to go,” Gomez said last Friday. “This loss stings but it is what it is and that’s football, but you can believe me, we’re going to bounce back.”
That may very well be true, but getting back into the win column this week will be difficult as the Cards travel to San Antonio today to take on the Reagan Rattlers (1-1), who have beaten Harlingen in non-district action the past two years. In 2013, Reagan won 42-0 and last year won 42-28.
To make things even more difficult for the Cards, they may be without star running back Leo Tienda, who suited up but did not play against United South due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the team’s Week 1 win over Mission Veterans.
“He had a little ding on his shoulder so we just have to wait and see where we’re at with him, and see what happens for the next week or so,” Gomez said of Tienda.
The Cards have an open week next week before beginning District 32-6A play against Harlingen South in Week 5.
NOTE: Reagan lost a close one last Friday to Laredo United 27-24. The very same United team opened the season with a 47-21 loss to San Benito.
McALLEN MEMORIAL AT SAN BENITO: The Valley’s top-ranked team will look to improve to 3-0 when they host the 1-1 Mustangs tonight at Bobby Morrow Stadium.
Last season, the two teams battled in a back-and-forth affair before Memorial finally pulled away for a 63-44 win.
The Greyhounds’ offense has been outstanding this season, racking up more than 1,070 yards in two games. Against San Antonio East Central last Friday, the ’Hounds put up 666 total yards with 342 of those yards coming through the air and 324 of those yards courtesy of the ground game.
Junior quarterback Erick Retta was 28 of 35 with three touchdowns against the Hornets while junior running back Tyrone Harper led the rushing attack with 140 yards on 12 carries for two scores.
San Benito is off next week before beginning conference play on Sept. 23 at Los Fresnos.