KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — The old saying that defense wins championships is one that still holds true to this day.

An effective pass rush is the key to a sound defense. This season, Harlingen South’s defense has caused fits against opposing offenses with its pass rush led by seniors Sky Tatum and Brandon Bennett.

Both Tatum and Bennett stand a solid 6-foot-3 and have provided a stout pass rush through the first two weeks of the season.

“I think they’re tough to block and definitely have some talent up there,” said Hawks coach Brian Ricci of Tatum and Bennett.

“They create turnovers, which is great, but the problem right now is our open-field tackling, but we’re working on it. Up front we are getting pressure and our secondary is great in coverage, but it’s still early in the year and we will get better at it.”

Tatum swaps from defensive end to nose tackle while Bennett comes off the edge. The duo is now in its senior year and looking forward to one last season together.

“Sky and I have played since our junior high days,” said Bennett. “When we were in middle school, we always talked about playing together at the varsity level. Now that we’re here and have gotten off to a great start, it’s a great feeling.”

Through the first two games, Tatum and Bennett have a combined nine sacks – Tatum has five and Bennett with four. Against PSJA, Bennett’s pass rush was on fully display by getting good jumps off the ball and he was relentless throughout the night. His biggest play of the evening came in the third quarter when he shook off a block and sacked PSJA High QB Trey Guajardo to force the Bears to punt from deep in their own territory.

“Over the offseason I worked a lot on my hand work,” Bennett said. “I went to a lot of camps and worked on my speed off the edge. A lot of the time the ends use their hand work and that’s what kills tackles.”

Like Bennett, Tatum comes off the edge and can push the pocket up the middle as a nose tackle. Tatum’s big play last week came in the second quarter against PSJA. With Bennett rushing Guajardo, Tatum jarred the ball lose and the Hawks recovered, turning the momentum in their favor.

But it’s not just Bennett and Tatum who have stepped up for the Hawks’ Big D. Over the first two weeks, South’s defense has forced nine turnovers. The Hawks’ secondary has fed off the pass rush with two interceptions in the first two games.

In Week One Jose Lara collected two picks and one of them ended up a pick six. Last week it was sophomore Enrique Alvarado, who picked off a pair off passes.

“We have worked hard all summer and now we can go out and show how hard we have been working,” Tatum said. “We don’t want all that hard work to be for nothing. I get more tackles when I play end, so that has been fun for me. Right now I feel confident in my pass rush and my foot work has been key in my development. As for playing with Brandon, it’s been fun playing together and building a relationship over the years.”

The Hawks will have their home opener tonight against Edinburg North. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — In what has been an annual non- district meeting for the past four years, San Antonio Reagan is set to visit Boggus Stadium this Friday night in the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week.

“The bottom line is you try and become immune to the big stage,” said Cardinals coach Manny Gomez. “I truly believe you can learn much more from a loss than a victory early on. I picked it up from Coach Nick Saban, but at the same time you don’t want to make losing a habit by any means.”

The Cardinals saw a strong turnaround in Week Two on defense as they yielded just six points against Laredo United South last week.

Harlingen has seen its pass rush also come to form with Sam Alonzo leading the way. As a unit the Cards have a combined 12 sacks. Harlingen’s pass rush will be key against the balanced attack of Reagan.

“We took the right angles on pursuits and we just reacted a lot faster,” said Gomez. “From our first game to the second it was night and day, but that is why we’re out here practicing. That is why we have a non-district schedule so we can live and learn.”

Offensively, quarterback Daniel Ramirez is finding his form with 483 yards and five touchdowns through the first two games. Ramirez has also hit weapons in wide receivers Riley Sauceda, Ethan Martinez and Joe Reyna. The Cards’ offense will need Ramirez to control the tempo and stay within himself against a tough Rattlers squad.

“Daniel goes against our defense every day and we bring the heat so at times he feels like he has to get rid of the ball,” said Gomez. “The thing we stress with him is to be confident and play with poise in the pocket, and that’s what he did last week. When he plays with confidence and poise he can make things happen with his arm.”

The Rattlers are under first-year head coach Lyndon Hamilton after former head coach David Wetzel took a job with the Baylor coaching staff.

Week Three marks the final week of non-district play and one final tune up before district play begins in Week Five.

Playing a perennial power in the Rattlers will definitely give the Cards a measuring stick on where they stand before league play.

Last season Reagan dominated with a 41-7 win in Week Three. Big Red is hoping for a better outcome this time around.

“It’s going to be a chess match; they’re a balanced defense so at times we have to be smart with what we do and wait and see what shows up on Friday. We will be ready come Friday and will have to adjust to what they bring. Only time will tell.” Gomez said.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — Winning a road game in District 32-6A is not an easy task, but Brownsville Rivera was up for the challenge.

The Lady Raiders went into the Harlingen High gym and completed a sweep in convincing fashion 25-21, 25-15, 25-23.

“I told the girls yesterday at practice that Harlingen is a very good team and we’re a good team, and we needed to fight for every point. I told them they needed to be ready and not give in because if we gave in we’d lose it,” said Rivera coach Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra.

“The girls played very smart. They moved the ball around and our defense tonight was on point. They got to the ball and played well.”

Entering Tuesday’s match, both Harlingen and Rivera entered as two of the hottest teams. The Lady Raiders are now on a five-game win streak and are 9-1 in their last 10 games. Rivera improved to 2-0 in league play and will meet San Benito on Saturday. Meanwhile Harlingen (1-1) will look to rebound versus Weslaco High.

The tone was set in the first set with Rivera roaring out to a 12-6 early lead. Stephanie Garza led the offense with 11 kills and seven digs. Rivera controlled the rest of the match with a smooth defense and an aggressive attack on offense.

Both the second and third set where a mirror image of the first. In the second set, junior libero Madeline Blanco was on full display. Blanco finished with a team-high 29 digs and three aces. On more than one occasion Blanco displayed her athleticism by diving for a dig and getting back up and keeping the offense alive.

In the third set, Harlingen trailed 22-18 but rallied late and cut the score to 23-21. Through the three sets Harlingen never held a lead. Rivera managed to finish what they started in the third set and walked away with the sweep.

“She (Blanco) is awesome,” said Avelar-Guerra. “She has a great mind for the game and is always focused during the games. She moves around, controls the back and talk to the girls. She never gives up and when we’re losing she always motivates the girls and, wow, she is just always around the ball.”

Litzy Medina finished with five kills and nine digs while teammate Kourtney Shears collected three kills and seven digs.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — With the Harlingen High gym filled with red, orange and green, it could only mean one thing: The Bird Bowl.

The Harlingen Lady Cardinals opened up District 32-6A volleyball action with a bang Saturday by sweeping the crosstown rival Harlingen South Lady Hawks in three sets, 25-20, 25-16, 25-23.

“It was intense and emotional in the beginning, but they were all good feelings,” said Harlingen coach Joslynn Torres. “At the end of the day we wanted to get the win and we did that. The big thing for us today was emotions. We couldn’t play with our emotions, but with our fundamentals.”

Harlingen will host Brownsville Rivera on Tuesday while Harlingen South will head to Los Fresnos to meet the Lady Falcons.

Harlingen took advantage of South’s slow start and jumped out to an 8-1 lead. Yazmine Martinez led the offense with 10 kills and nine digs. The Lady Cards continued to put pressure on South and extended their lead to 22-14. Kristen Kattan paced the attack with eight kills.

“We came in confident but we’re very fortunate that South came out a little nervous because we came out flat in the first set,” Torres said. “In the third set South gained some confidence and it was a tough third set. I told the girls that they’re (South) a good team and they’re going to come back and keep fighting.”

The home crowd went into a frenzy after the Lady Cards took the second set 25-16. Alina Prado fed the hitters with a team-high 20 assists and Julissa Munivez finished with 12 digs.

Harlingen South battled back in the third set and didn’t make it easy on Harlingen High. The seesaw battle swung in the Lady Hawks’ favor when they took a 21-19 lead. Harlingen rallied, though, and went on a 6-2 run sealing the sweep.

“It’s great to get our first district win especially against our crosstown rival,” Torres said. “I told the girls that while we won our first district game, today wasn’t our best performance. They need to understand that we can’t be satisfied. We have a lot of work to do and we can’t afford to play like this every week. That won’t work for us.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

After a lackluster Week One loss, Harlingen rebounded with a 21-6 win against Laredo United South thanks to a strong defensive performance.

Big Red’s defensive allowed only six points and collected eight sacks. Garrison Medley had two sacks and 19 total tackles.

Quarterback Daniel Ramirez checked in a solid performance going 14 for 21 for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Last week wide receiver Riley Sauceda had a huge performance. This week it was Ethan Martinez who collected five catches for 121 yards and three scores.

In Week Three the Cards will have their toughest task when San Antonio Reagan comes to Boggus Stadium.

Hounds Roll In Alamo City: The San Benito Greyhounds’ offense was on full display Friday night in San Antonio. Erick Retta threw for 220 yards and three scores as the Hounds improved to 2-0 with a 44-18 win over San Antonio East Central.

Running back Tyrone Harper unleashed a strong performance, running for 176 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 40 yards and a score. Wide receiver Isaiah Trevino finished with four catches and 95 yards.

The Greyhounds’ next challenge will be at McAllen Memorial (2-0), which is coming off a big 28-14 win against Weslaco East. Last year, San Benito took care of the Mustangs 35-7.

Hawks fall short at PSJA: Harlingen South’s offense couldn’t capitalize on the five turnovers its defense forced. The Hawks trailed 21-10 at the break but rallied to take a 24-20 lead on a touchdown run by Jorge Alicea.

Despite the loss, South’s defense showed promise. Along with the five turnovers, Enrique Alvarado collected two interceptions. The Hawks’ secondary has now forced three or more turnovers in back-to-back weeks.

Sky Tatum and Brandon Bennett continue to bring the heat off the edge. Both Tatum and Bennett have caused problems for opposing offensive lines by rushing the passer off the edge and are arguably the best 1-2 punch in the Valley.

South (1-1) will have a quick turn around when Edinburg North comes to town Thursday night. The Cougars will be in search for their first win of the season.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

PHARR — The PSJA Bears’ offense overcame five turnovers and leaned on junior quarterback Trey Guajardo for a 31-24 win over the Harlingen South Hawks on Thursday in the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week.

Johnathan Figueroa tied the game on a 45-yard field goal with 7:40 remaining in the fourth quarter and on the next drive Christian Rivera scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:34 left in the game.

The Hawks had a final shot with 1:30 left, but the Bears’ defense denied any late-game magic sealing a the seven-point win.

“We settled down in the second half and I told them to play like they know how to play,” said Hawks coach Brian Ricci. “They needed to quit thinking and go out and play, and they did. They put a great effort in the second half and they played well.”

The Hawks trailed 21-10 at the half but stormed back to take a late lead. On 4th and 3 from the 1-yard line, Jorge Alicea’s third score of the night put the Hawks ahead 24-21 with 9:43 left in the game.

South’s Brandon Bennett made the play that turned the momentum in the third quarter as he sacked Guajardo, forcing the Bears to punt. Harlingen South capitalized on the stop and scored on an Alicea touchdown run that cut the lead 21-16.

PSJA showcased just how explosive its offense can be. On the Bears’ opening drive, Guajardo was flushed out of the pocket but showed poise and kept his eyes downfield and hit Marc Guajardo on a 63-yard pass for the score. On the ensuing kickoff, Harlingen South failed to recover the kickoff giving the Bears an extra possession.

South’s defense held its own and PSJA’s 46-yard field goal was wide left. PSJA looked for the deep ball for most of the first half. Harlingen South’s defense forced four turnovers led by sophomore cornerback Enrique Alvarado, who picked off two passes.

Bennett and Sky Tatum also forced a fumble recovered by Christian Lerma late in the second quarter. Despite forcing turnovers, Harlingen South managed to turn only one of them into points.

“Our defensive front played a heck of a game up front. I knew they were a good group and they got us turnovers,” said Ricci. “Offensively we couldn’t convert off those turnovers and that’s what hurts. Our defense put us in a good position to have the lead and we just couldn’t take advantage of it.”

In the final minute of the first quarter Dylan Carreon hit Alicea on a swing pass for a 69-yard touchdown tying the game at 7. In the second quarter Jose Lerma gave the Hawks a 10-7 lead with 10:13 remaining in the first half.

Midway through the second quarter, PSJA scored 14 unanswered points in the final four minutes. Guajardo hit Nathan Sanchez for a 32-yard score. In the final minute, the Bears’ defense helped flip the field and take over deep in Hawks territory. The drive was capped off by a 1-yard Guajardo touchdown run giving the Bears a 21-10 lead at the break.

The Hawks (1-1) will now shift their focus to their home opener against Edinburg North (0-1) next Thursday. Meanwhile PSJA (2-0) will have a date with district rival PSJA Southwest (0-1).

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

The Rio Hondo Bobcats are in a unique situation. Their Week One game against Sinton was cancelled due to Hurricane Harvey and now they open the 2017 season tonight at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln.

It wasn’t only Week One that Harvey affected, the Bobcats also saw their second scrimmage against Valley View get cancelled. The last time the Cats had live action was in their first scrimmage on Aug. 17 against Edcouch-Elsa.

“Last week it was a little tough to get the energy going, but this week we have a lot of energy and have had a great set of practices,” said Bobcats coach Rocky James. “We had a great first scrimmage and I thought everything went well. Then both our scrimmage against Valley View and our season opener got cancelled, so we haven’t had live action since Week One.”

The Bobcats’ up-tempo offense will need to hit its stride come game time and the question will sit with a young defense that will be making its varsity debut.

One youngster who will make his debut will be Joey Ortega, who is a sophomore and will start at middle linebacker.

“It’s concerning that we haven’t had any live action, although we did have two live quarters against Edcouch,” James said. “Playing against a very good 6A team will benefit us down the road.

“Everyone has handled the situation great and they understand why they couldn’t play. This week knowing they have a game, they came out spirited and our veterans on offense have handled it well.”

Last season the Bobcats beat the Huskies 27-14 in Rio Hondo. Meanwhile, Juarez-Lincoln (1-0) is coming off a Week One win against PSJA Memorial.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

After getting their season off on a positive note, the Harlingen South Hawks will have a new challenge in Week 2.

The Hawks (1-0) will travel to PSJA stadium tonight to square off against the PSJA Bears (1-0) in the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week.

“I think we are still a little behind; we didn’t have class Monday and our game is Thursday so it’s a short week,” said Hawks coach Brian Ricci. “But the kids are feeling good coming off of last week’s win and I feel much better having played a game. The kids are excited for the next challenge and we have had a great week of practice.”

The Bears are under first-year head coach Lupe Rodriguez, who has a brilliant offensive mind. It showed in Week One as the Bears used a balanced rushing attack that gained 159 yards and a passing game that garnered 301 yards in an easy win over Donna North.

Meanwhile, Harlingen South’s defense managed to limit McAllen High’s Gunnar Henderson to six catches for 72 yards and two scores. The Hawks’ front four is built around Sky Tatum and Brandon Bennett, who helped push the pocket and forced McHi quarterback J.R Cortez to make quick decisions.

The Hawks will now have to contend with PSJA QB Trey Guajardo, who is as athletic as they come. The junior is a three-sport athlete and is a dual threat.

“They’re an explosive offense and their QB is phenomenal,” said Ricci of PSJA. “They have a great offensive scheme and they will try and create mismatches so we have to try and slow them down, although it will be a tough task. Our defense is pretty good and I think our defensive line will have to get a good push. He (Guajardo) is dangerous when he’s outside of the pocket.”

South running back Jorge Alicea will look for another strong performance on the ground while the Hawks’ offense needs to protect the football after turning it over twice in Week One.

“I hope we can go in and have a smooth game offensively,” said Ricci. The only negative last week was the turnovers, so if we can clean that up we will be OK. They’re focused and ready to get out there.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

The Harlingen Cardinals have their work cut out for them this week. After a lackluster performance in Week One, the Cards will shoot for their first win against a tough opponent.

Harlingen (0-1) takes on Laredo United South (0-1) at 7 tonight at the Student Activity Complex in Laredo.

“We’re semi used to it, having to play on a Thursday,” said Cardinals coach Manny Gomez. “As a coaching staff we can’t wait for Friday night, which is usually what the routine is, so we have to speed up the process Saturday and have an off day Sunday, and get things rolling Monday. It is what it is and we’re ready to go.”

In their season opener against Mission Veterans last Thursday, Harlingen turned the ball over six times, which is unusual of a Gomez-coached squad. The Cardinals will look to establish themselves tonight with a balanced attack.

The Panthers are led by quarterback Ismael Contreras, who had a solid performance in a Week One loss. He threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns while completing 19 of 35 passes.

The Panthers’ offense is in its second year out of the spread attack, but they also like to feed the ball to running back Sergio Vela, who carried the ball for 84 yards on 17 carries last week.

“They’re a smash-mouth football team,” said Gomez of United South. “They’re a type of team you like to go against. I know they have a big offensive line, a big running back and they have plenty of speed, and their QB (Contreras) is proven. But, hey, this is what we want to see and we’re ready for the challenge.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

San Benito quarterback Erick Retta is in his final season as the Hounds signal caller. After Friday night’s game-winning drive against Laredo United, the Hounds are all smiles heading into Week 2. San Benito travels to San Antonio to face the East Central Hornets. Prior to the Hounds’ matchup, the Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with the Hounds quarterback.

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Q: How has your senior year been so far both on and off the field?

A: It’s been pretty great so far. I’m enjoying it.

Q: What is your daily routine?

A: I wake up early for football practice, do school work and then back to football after school.

Q: Aside from game day, what is your favorite day of the week and why?

A: Thursday because I get to spend time with the team.

Q: Do you have any pre-game music or meal?

A: I love to listen to old reggaeton music.

Q: Who inspired you to play QB?

A: My stepdad.

Q: Who is your favorite NFL QB to watch and why?

A: Russell Wilson because even though he might not be the biggest quarterback in the league, he still manages to win games.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and why?

A: It would have to be Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi. He seems like a humble and very caring person. It looks like he doesn’t care what people say, he just wants to prove them wrong.

Q: What are your hobbies besides football?

A: I like to spend time with my family or watch movies.

Q: What is your favorite football movie and why?

A: “Friday Night Lights,” because it shows that if you never give up and work hard, you can reach where you want to go, which is a state championship game.