KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN—Harlingen South will look to make it two in a row Friday night when they host a familiar opponent in Weslaco High. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, the Hawks will look to snap a four-game losing streak to the Panthers. The last time Harlingen South beat Weslaco was in 2014, when Lanny Wilson was patrolling the sidelines for the Hawks in a 28-18 victory.
The last two years have been close as the Panthers edged the Hawks 28-25 in 2018 and won 21-7 in 2017.
“The last couple of years have been a dog fight,” South coach Brian Ricci said. “We have just been on the wrong end of it. Once again we are expecting a good game, they play hard, sound and are well coached. We know what we are going to get we just need to go out and execute.”
After surrendering 35 points against PSJA North in Week 2, the Hawks defense settled down in Week 3 by holding McAllen High to 14 points while forcing five turnovers.
South will have a tall task with Weslaco senior signal caller Jacob Cavazos, who is an all-around athlete with the ability to make plays with his legs and arm. PSJA North’s Iziaah Rangel ran wild for 121 yards and two scores on 20 attempts along with Isaac Gonzalez, who carried the ball 23 times for 165 yards and three scores.
The challenge is the same this week as it was two weeks ago and Ricci feels the loss to PSJA North has prepared the defense for a dual threat QB in Cavazos this week.
“I think it helps us that we already faced an athletic quarterback already,” he said. “We are going to have to limit their big play ability. Their QB is a great athlete and their running back runs hard. It will take more than one guy to bring him down; he is a hard runner.”
The defense is anchored by junior hybrid David Cortez, who moved over to the rover position and played outside linebacker against McHi and can slide back up to the strong safety position.
Around Cortez, the Hawks are starting four sophomores on defense in Devin Montemayor and Jeremiah Rivera, who fill out both safety positions. The other two are Levi Ince and Josh Cantu at outside linebacker.
“I think we are getting better on both sides of the ball,” Ricci said. “On defense, we have four sophomores and they are only going to get better each week. They are playing with more confidence and getting used to the speed of the game.”
One other key for the Hawks is to limit the turnovers. The Hawks turned the ball over five times against the Bulldogs in Week 3 and are looking to clean things up against the Panthers.