By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Harlingen High Cardinals football standout Nathan Huerta will continue his football playing career at Southwestern University.
The accomplished defensive lineman is thrilled for the opportunity at Southwestern. Huerta said coaches expect him to make an instant impact this fall.
“I am ready to get to work with the guys and coaches over there,” Huerta said. “I have been working my whole life to get an opportunity to play at the next level.”
Huerta plans to study kinesiology and sports medicine at Southwestern.
“We are so proud of him,” said Nathan’s father, Ramon Huerta. “It is a great honor for him, and what I like about the campus is academics. They push school first and then football. I like that about the school.”
Huerta has received multiple honors on and off the field. Huerta is a National Honor Society member, a PTSA member and received an all-state honorable mention for academics by the Texas High School Coaches Association.
“If there were words to describe beyond proud, that would be it,” said Nathan’s mother, Stephanie Huerta. “He has been putting in the work over the years. This moment is well-deserved for him because even when underestimated he overcomes all the obstacles.”
On the field, Huerta received accolades as far back as his sophomore season, when he was voted District 32-6A newcomer of the year. The next year, he was the district defensive player of the year and all-state honorable mention.
Huerta was awarded District 32-6A‘s most valuable player award and was second-team all-state during his senior year.
“I am going to go out there and do my best every single game,” Huerta said. “I want to go out there and prove that I am not too small for the next level, and I can do what others can.”