KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — For a majority of the Harlingen Cardinals, they are no strangers to the big stage. Senior cornerback Justin Munivez is immune to the big stage and is ready to suite up for the 26 th annual Bird Bowl Friday night.
“The Bird Bowl is just another opportunity for us to go out there and show we are the better team, we are ready,” Munivez said. “We have a pep rally and we do community events, those are some things that are fun about Bird Bowl.”
Munivez who grew up in Harlingen is no stranger to the Bird Bowl and is taking part in his second Bird Bowl as a senior.
Although Munivez has been around the rivalry, his best memory came last year when he made his debut.
“Last year was my first Bird Bowl and I was a little nervous at first,” Munivez said. “It was my first big game, but once the game started all those nerves went away.”
Munivez is hoping to go out with another Bird Bowl win, while the history is in his favor. The Cardinals have won 10 straight against South.
“Being able to win last year against South was great,” said Munivez. “It was an opportunity for me to be a part of it and at first it was new to me and this is something I have always wanted to be a part of.”
The Cardinals are in the thick of the 32-6A playoff race with a 1-2 league record. While Munivez takes his place at corner, he has been a main stay in the Cardinal secondary.
Munivez will have a tall order when he will line up against South’s wide out Derrick Delgado. On the year Munivez has 24 solo tackles, 45 total tackles and has three interceptions on the year.
Two of those came against Sharyland Pioneer along with a pick six.
“We have a chance to get a win on Friday,” said Munivez. “We are working hard every day, those first two weeks were rough with the losses but we got a win last week and we are ready to hit the field Friday night.”