By KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Seniors Jaime Galvan and Rayden Berry have been two key ingredients to the Harlingen High Cardinals’ offense this season.
Galvan, who lines up under center, and Berry, who takes the handoffs from Galvan, have not only produced on the field but have brought a work ethic and leadership to this year’s Cardinals team.
The work ethic is one thing that defines the Cardinals’ tradition, and Berry and Galvan have brought that to the table. It has become contagious throughout the Cardinals’ fieldhouse.
“You talk about hard work, and I can go on and on about the past with teams that were successful and having kids go above and beyond, but that is an example of guys like Jaime and Rayden,” Cardinals coach Manny Gomez said. “The list goes on, but those are the guys who go above and beyond, and go out there and make things happen. What is happening is kids are starting to see that, and it is rejuvenating that Cardinal tradition.”
Galvan, who was destined to be the Cardinals’ QB, grew up understanding the Cardinals’ way. Galvan is no stranger to the Battle of the Arroyo, either.
“I grew up into this, and grew up playing San Benito in TYFA,” Galvan said. “I also watched the older guys play, and this is just something I wanted to be a part of.”
Galvan’s first Battle was in his seventh-grade year, when he watched former Cardinals quarterback Jesse Castro.
“The game was here in Harlingen, and that was the place I wanted to be,” Galvan said. “There were so many people there, and I knew one day I wanted to be playing in the game. My brothers and I have all been involved in the game. In fact, we were just talking about it, and how we need to have our mind right and be ready to give it our all.”
Galvan has relied on Berry out of the backfield this year, and the two have helped fuel the offense to 29 points per game, becoming a strong 1-2 punch. Galvan has 473 yards on 57 attempts and has scored eight times. Berry has run for 604 yards and six touchdowns.
“All summer long, Jaime and I worked together,” Berry said. “So we know each other’s moves. He knows where I’m going to be, and I know where he will be.”
Berry moved from Los Fresnos to Harlingen his sophomore year and quickly fell into place in the Cardinals’ program.
“It took a little while to get used to (it), but the guys brought me in as one of their own,” Berry said. “They taught me what I needed to know, and I feel like I’m where I need to be. Over the offseason I worked on a lot of conditioning. I also felt I needed to work on my moves, so I worked on my footwork.”
Berry and Galvan will look to lead the Cardinals’ offense once more when they square off against San Benito in the 90th edition of the Battle of the Arroyo. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday from Boggus Stadium.