KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star
There is no doubt that Mission Veterans quarterback Landry Gilpin is the real deal. Gilpin rushed for 188 yards and one score, while throwing for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-26 win against Harlingen on Thursday.
The Cardinals, who were ranked No. 3 in the Valley, couldn’t seem to get out of their own way by turning the ball over four times and trailed 14-0 at the half. Quarterback Daniel Ramirez went 24 for 41 with 321 yards, three scores and one interception.
A high note for the Cards was wide receiver Riley Sauceda, who hauled in 12 catches for 222 yards and three touchdowns. The Cards will look to regroup at Laredo United South on Thursday.
Hounds Rally Past Horns: Great teams find ways to win and that was the case Friday night for the San Benito Greyhounds.
Erick Retta drove the Hounds down the field on a 16-play, 78-yard game- winning drive that gave the Valley’s top-ranked team a 23-20 win. Retta finished the game 11 for 24 with 101 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, San Benito rushed for 163 yards on 34 carries as six different Hounds carried the ball. Tyrone Harper led the backfield with 87 yards on 16 carries and a score. Retta ran for 35 yards on 10 carries as
The Hounds have now beaten Laredo United in back-to-back season openers and will now head north to meet San Antonio East Central.
Hawks rushing attack too much for Bulldogs: The question for Harlingen South heading into Friday night’s game versus McHi was how the Hawks would perform despite not having played a scrimmage. The answer turned out to be: Just fine.
Hawks running back Jorge Alicea ran wild for three scores and 225 yards on 19 carries en route to a 34-21 win.
Meanwhile, the Hawks defense was solid. Jose Lara had quite the performance on Friday as the junior cornerback picked off two passes. Lara’s first pick came in the second quarter when Lara cut off the route and returned it 61-yards for the score.
On the opening drive in the second half, Lara read the quarterback’s eyes and stepped in for his second interception. The turnover set up the Hawks deep in McHi territory and they took advantage with a touchdown.
The Hawks will have a tall order next week when they travel to PSJA Stadium to face Trey Guajardo and the PSJA High Bears. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday. For the second year in a row the Hawks will shoot for a 2-0 start.