Both the Cardinals and Greyhounds come into the 85th edition of this rivalry at 2-0 in District 32-6A, tied for first along with Brownsville Veterans, which is also undefeated in district at 2-0. The two are also 3-2 overall.
Both teams are also coming off big wins. The Cardinals beat Brownsville Hanna this past Friday 37-21, while the Greyhounds stunned Los Fresnos 17-14.
Something’s got to give in the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week as the winner will improve to 3-0 in league play and the loser will be pinned with its first district loss.
The Cardinals have finally gotten healthy after losing several players to injury early on, including senior quarterback Bowie Davis.
Davis returned to action on Friday and threw for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, running back Leo Tienda led the ground attack with 129 yards and three TDs.
At San Benito, running back Gabriel Vasquez and quarterback Cristian Sierrra have been leading the way for the ’Hounds this season.
On Friday, Sierra threw for 163 yards and also rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown.
As for Vasquez, the Falcons held him in check to just 35 yards on 14 carries. However, Vasquez is a dangerous back and was the district’s top rusher heading into Week Six with 494 yards.
The Cardinals won last year’s Battle 54-0, but the Greyhounds took the trophy in 2012 with a 7-3 victory.
The Cards lead the all-time series 59-20-5 and are 2-0 when the teams have faced off in the postseason.
Before their win in 2012, the Greyhounds had lost the last four straight regular-season meetings dating back to the 2008 season, and two playoff Battles in 2009 (41-21) and 2010 (49-14).
The last time the Greyhounds won back-to-back Battles was in 2006 and 2007 when they won 29-0 and 15-4, respectively.
The two teams also battled to five ties over the years, including concecutve ties in 1993 (18-18) and 1994 (21-21).
The longest win streak in the rivarly’s history came between 1975 and 1992 when the Cardinals won 18 in a row. The Cards were actually winners of 24 or 25 between 1968 and 1992 and the only non-win was in 1974 when the game ended in a 7-7 tie.
Battle of the Arroyo history
The following are the year-by-year results of the annual Battle of the Arroyo between the Harlingen Cardinals and San Benito Greyhounds. Friday’s game will be the 85th anniversary of the Battle. Harlingen leads the all-time series 59-20-5 and 2-0 in the postseason.
1930: Harlingen, 19-0
1931: Harlingen, 19-6
1932: San Benito, 6-0
1933: San Benito, 30-0
1934: San Benito, 13-0
1935: Harlingen, 13-0
1936: San Benito, 6-0
1937: San Benito, 13-12
1938: Harlingen, 13-7
1939: Harlingen, 41-6
1940: Harlingen, 19-0
1941: Harlingen, 28-20
1942: San Benito, 32-6
1943: Harlingen, 20-0
1944: 6-6 tie
1945: San Benito, 7-0
1946: Harlingen, 16-14
1947: Harlingen, 31-0
1948: San Benito, 32-7
1949: Harlingen, 19-6
1950: Harlingen, 52-18
1951: Harlingen, 13-0
1952: Harlingen, 13-7
1953: Harlingen, 55-19
1954: Harlingen, 52-13
1955: Harlingen, 20-19
1956: Harlingen, 27-12
1957: Harlingen, 20-6
1958: San Benito, 26-18
1959: Harlingen, 28-6
1960: San Benito, 29-6
1961: San Benito, 30-6
1962: San Benito, 25-6
1963: 0-0 tie
1964: Haringen, 20-0
1965: San Benito, 13-9
1966: Harlingen, 9-0
1967: San Benito, 7-0
1968: Harlingen, 27-0
1969: Harlingen, 40-0
1970: Harlingen, 36-14
1971: Harlingen, 35-12
1972: Harlingen, 41-0
1973: Harlingen, 23-0
1974: 7-7 tie
1975: Harlingen, 27-7
1976: Harlingen, 19-0
1977: Harlingen, 15-0
1978: Harlingen, 42-7
1979: Harlingen, 29-7
1980: Harlingen, 27-0
1981: Harlingen, 28-7
1982: Harlingen, 35-30
1983: Harlingen, 13-11
1984: Harlingen, 20-0
1985: Harlingen, 27-7
1986: Harlingen, 49-0
1987: Harlingen, 20-8
1988: Harlingen, 43-6
1989: Harlingen, 27-2
1990: Harlingen, 15-0
1991: Harlingen, 21-13
1992: Harlingen, 27-16
1993: 18-18 tie
1994: 21-21 tie
1995: San Benito, 15-6
1996: Harlingen, 43-18
1997: Harlingen, 21-10
1998: Harlingen, 20-12
1999: San Benito, 8-0
2000: Harlingen, 21-14
2001: Harlingen, 21-20
2002: Harlingen, 28-10
2003: Harlingen, 54-14
2004: San Benito, 35-32
2005: Harlingen, 29-22
2006: San Benito, 29-0
2007: San Benito, 15-4
2008: Harlingen, 34-17
2009: Harlingen 35-6
2009: Harlingen 41-21 (playoff)
2010: Harlingen 45-21
2010: Harlingen 49-14 (playoff)
2011: Harlingen 49, San Benito 7
2012: San Bentio 7, Harlingen 3
2013: Harlingen 54, San Benito 0