KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
We are two weeks into the 2018 season and today marks the first Friday with live football action for all you football fanatics.
Harlingen, Harlingen South and San Benito will all hit the field for their first scrimmage of the 2018 season.
As we dip into the season, here are a few things to keep an eye on tonight.
Year of the Hawks?
Harlingen South is eager to hit the gridiron after winning just two games all last season. The Hawks are primed to right the ship and Friday will be a small glimpse of what to expect when South travels to Donna North to meet the Chiefs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The offensive line has shown improvement over the last two weeks and has Hawks head coach Brian Ricci excited. Brandon Olivarez, Justice Johnson and Charles Mattingly will all look to gel and pave the way for Junior QB David Torres.
Keep tabs on junior wide receiver Brandon Bennett who has turned heads this offseason and will be one of Torres’ top targets. Senior Caleb Solis who moved from safety to corner will make his debut at the corner position opposite of Kike Alvarado.
“We have had two weeks of practice and hitting on each other, and they’re anxious to get out there and hit,” Ricci said. “We coaches are just as excited to see what we have at full speed. Our offensive line has improved, they have been on top of their assignments and they know where to go.”
Harlingen makes season debut at PSJA Memorial
Harlingen will travel to PSJA Memorial where they will take on the Wolverines at 7:30 p.m.
The Cardinals will get a live look at Quarterbacks Damon Cantu and Jaime Galvan. Both are looking to replace Daniel Ramirez from last season.
Senior wide out Joe Reyna emerged as the top target through the air his junior season and had a strong offseason and will once again lead the Cardinal air attack.
“We know we can’t be perfect,” said Cards head coach Manny Gomez. “However, we can definitely have a perfect effort and that is what we are looking for as a coaching staff.”
Hounds begin post Retta era against Weslaco East
San Benito will hit the field with a new QB under center. Jacob Cavazos is now the signal caller. The Hounds are under new offensive coordinator Steve Marroquin who came over from Brownsville Hanna last season.
Marroquin will make his coaching debut with the Hounds and will look to help mold Cavazos at the QB position.
Cavazos will look to Mitch Guajardo and Frankie Garcia through the air and while there is no Isaiah Trevino, Guajardo and Garcia will be two prime targets.
The question will be who will replace running back Tyrone Harper who led the Hounds rushing attack over the last two years.
Defensively, senior linebacker AJ Garcia and defensive back Nick Castaneda will look to lead the defense. Last year the Hounds had one of the more physical defenses in the Valley led by Ryan Reza and Ryan Castillo.
San Benito will travel to Bobby Lackey stadium tonight to meet an old District 32-6A adversary in Weslaco East, kick off is at 6:00 p.m.