KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — When people arrive at Harlingen South’s newly added mini stadium on campus, they will notice the brand new turf with a Hawks logo on the 50-yard line along with the orange and green turf.
It’s quite the facility, and observers can catch the Hawks hitting the field bright and early for a morning practice.
Another thing that will stand out is senior fullback Cristian Cortez. The senior fullback is built like a linebacker and has excellent uphill speed. Cortez is a three-year starter and has endured some changes throughout his career.
“Under Coach (Lanny) Wilson, there was no fullback, but with Coach (Brian) Ricci’s offense there is a fullback and I wanted to play that position, I wanted to help my team in any way, so I worked at it and I try my best to perfect the position.”
Motivated would be the one word to describe Cortez.
“I’m ready to take that next step and help lead this team,” Cortez said. “Whatever happened last year, that was last year. We have the potential to make some noise this year, and we’re ready.”
Cortez grew up in Harlingen and always played football, it is just in him to play the game.
“I’m also on the track team, and now we practice in the morning so that is different,” Cortez said. “I like it, though, it wakes you up and we hit the field ready to work. Yes, it is a little hard getting up early, but you get everything done and we can get the day going.”
Wilson was South’s coach until he announced his retirement. Wilson spent four years guiding the Hawks, and Cortez spent his first year under Wilson.
South then went on to hire Ricci. Cortez is one of the few members on the team who has played for Ricci for three years and went through the coaching change.
“Coach Ricci came and we had to learn a new system, and I got moved to fullback. I played defense my freshman year,” Cortez said. “The transition was smooth, learning the offense wasn’t as hard, it is simpler and easier to run. With this offense there isn’t too much thinking, and it allows us to go 100 percent.”
South went 5-5 in 2016 and 2-8 in 2017. This year, however, Cortez feels that dark cloud has passed the Hawks, and that they now have the right pieces in play to turn the corner.
“We took these last few years as an experience and fuel, we’re not dwelling on them, but we remember them and it is fuel for us. The attitude has changed here, we want to win, and the guys are ready and the chemistry is great.”
Harlingen South will begin its season against Edinburg High at 7:30 tonight at Richard Flores Stadium.