KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — The Harlingen Cardinals will begin their season after a rather strange ending to their preseason. Harlingen will meet Mission Veterans on Thursday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Cards’ season was already off to an odd start with their game originally scheduled to be played at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission. However, the stadium’s remodeling was not completed in time for kickoff. Secondly, Harlingen will look to shake off any potential rust they may have after its scrimmage against Sharyland got cancelled due to Hurricane Harvey.
“It’s been a long week; we haven’t had an opportunity to play,” said Cards coach Manny Gomez. “We have been working hard since last week when we were preparing for Sharyland, but that didn’t happen. However, we’re excited to play and ready to embrace the moment.”
The Patriots are fresh off an historic season that saw them advance to the third round for the first time in program history. This year’s squad, however, will have to step up to the challenge. Junior Landry Gilpin moved from wide out to quarterback, while the Pats are looking to avenge last year’s 44-14 loss to the Cards.
“Any coach Gilpin team is going to be physical,” said Gomez. Landry Gilpin is very elusive and they’re going to be excited to play, and it’s not time to relax. I know Mission Vets will be ready to play. It’s going to be fun.”
Daniel Ramirez will be the starting quarterback for the Red Birds in 2017. Given Ramirez has experience running the Cards’ offense has made it an easy transition to starter.
Meanwhile, Abel Castaneda is slated as the Cards’ starting running back.
HELPING HAND: As the Cardinals prepared for their season opener, they took time to reflect on Hurricane Harvey and decided to collect canned goods as well as personal hygiene and other household items to help out the victims of the historic storm.
“We started a relief fund for Houston and East Texas,” Gomez said. “Anything that we can do to make it happen; we have to do our part and we’re blessed to have missed it, but we have compassion for the people up there and we’re willing to do our part.”