It’s a powerful statement that exemplifies what Harlingen Cardinals football is all about.
For junior wide receiver Joe Reyna, he knows all about that tradition as he grew up watching Cardinal football and waited for the day he could be a part of the team.
Reyna is a Harlingen product through and through, and saw his older brother, Felix, dominate as a safety.
“It means a lot to be a part of this program,” said Reyna. “My brother played here and I watched him play when I was younger. I remember watching the playoff game in 2011 against San Antonio Warren and I thought to myself, I really want to be a part of this one day. My brother taught me a lot and has always given me advice on how to carry myself.”
Against San Antonio Regan earlier this season, Harlingen saw its top wide receiver Riley Sauceda go down with an injury leaving the Cards in a bind. That is until Reyna stepped in and answered the bell. He finished the Reagan game with six catches for 91 yards and a score, including a 41-yard touchdown before the half that gave the Cards a 20-7 lead.
A star was born and Reyna’s performance helped lift the Cardinals to one of their biggest upsets in recent history.
“I have seen people, not just my brother but others, that have gone through this program and go to college,” Reyna said. “That is something I want to do, play football and go to college and play at the college level. Seeing other people do that has defiantly inspired me. When Riley went down, it hurt us but I knew it was my turn to step up and I have always had confidence in myself to go out and be the best I can be.”
However, Reyna wasn’t done. In Bird Bowl XXV last week, Reyna’s speed, smooth route running and soft hands were on full display. While he finished the night with just three catches, he made his presence known with a pair of touchdowns from 43 and 47 yards out. Reyna currently has 17 catches for 286 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
“Humble” and “heart” were the two words Cardinals head coach Manny Gomez used to describe Reyna.
“He has a humble beginning and he’s ready to step in for his big brother,” Gomez said. “He is a competitor, a quiet assassin, and he doesn’t say much but he leads by example. He is defiantly a humble and respectful kid, and once he gets on that field he has a different identity.
He knows he has big shoes to fill and he’s ready to live up to the family tradition.”