KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN—The 27th annual Bird Bowl is set to kick off tonight at Boggus Stadium and while the rivalry is one of the younger ones in the Rio Grande Valley, there are still plenty of memories to look back on.
The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with former Harlingen Cardinals Brandon Garza, Randy Bermea and Kevin Ledesma as they shared their thoughts and memories from the Bird Bowl.
Garza was a 2014 graduate and played quarterback for the Cards for two seasons and was 18-6 as the starter, leading the Cards to two district titles, a pair of playoff appearances and a 2-0 Bird Bowl record in the process.
What is your best Bird Bowl memory?
Garza: My best Bird Bowl memory was my senior year when we were both undefeated in district. Both us and South were playing for the district title. The game sold out in hours, the stadium was packed and as loud as I had ever seen. To this day it is the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in.
What does the Bird Bowl mean to you?
Garza: Bird Bowl means a lot to us because it is the only game you will play and know every person on the other team. You grow up playing each other in pee wee and middle school so there is a lot of history behind the game.
Ledesma is currently on the Cardinal coaching staff and is a 2012 graduate. He spent three years on the varsity from 2009-11. Ledesma is most known for his play during the magical 2011 season that saw the Cards advance to the fourth round of the playoffs against San Antonio Madison. Ledesma went 3-0 against the Hawks.
Q: What is the best part of the Bird Bowl?
Ledesma: The best part about it is the atmosphere. The stands are packed, the fans are loud and the student sections are rocking. It is that one game a year you mark your calendar.
Q:What is your best Bird Bowl memory?
Ledesma: My best memory would be when I got my first start my junior year against the Hawks. We went on to win that game 75-21.
Randy Bermea graduated in 2012 and played in three Bird Bowls. Bermea, too, went 3-0 against South and left a strong impact on the Cardinal program. Bermea currently lives in San Antonio after attending the University of San Antonio. Bermea works at a productive company based out of the Valley called CiL Fresh, but works in the San Antonio office. Bermea also has a coaching business called Next Level Hurdle Academy, where he gives private coaching lessons in the San Antonio area.
Q:What does the Bird Bowl mean to you?
Bermea: It just gives the community an opportunity to see the types of young men that have been brought up by a community that cares so much about them.
Q: Best Bird Bowl memory?
Bermea: One of my favorite Bird Bowl memories in general is when my brother Gilbert got an interception and returned it for a touchdown. On film, you can see me running on the sideline with him as he ran in the endzone. I even ran out onto the field to celebrate with him too. It was one of the proudest moments I have on playing with my little brother.