KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star
HARLINGEN — The Harlingen Cardinals have won four in a row and have started district play 2-0 with wins over Harlingen South and Brownsville Rivera.
The Cardinals look to keep their winning ways alive Friday when they travel to Bobby Lackey Stadium to take on the Weslaco Panthers.
One key to the Cards’ 2-0 league start has been the play of their defense. The young flock of Red Birds have taken the next step and have stepped up to the challenge each week.
The Cardinals will have to deal with speedy Weslaco running back Matt De Santiago, who has 67 carries for 256 yards and three scores, and wide receiver Devin Dena, who’s hauled in 15 catches and 191 yards. Weslaco is under first-year head coach Michael Salinas, who is implementing a new system from a slot-T to a spread attack.
Battle tested was how Cards head coach Manny Gomez described his defense.
“That’s the process,” said Gomez. “Football is a grind and it’s a process. That’s why you have non-district games to prepare you for district then you have the third phase and that’s the playoffs. We’re a young group of guys and every year we have a group of guys that want to be a part of the system.”
Linebacker Garrison Medley has guided the Cards’ defense with a team-high 68 tackles. Medley also leads the team in sacks with four. The Cards also provide a pass rush with Eladio Flores, Cameron Anderson and Sam Alonzo.
Through five games, Big Red’s defense is yielding just 16 points per game. The Cards have seen multiple formations throughout the season and will be prepared for the Panthers’ spread attack.
“We have seen different personnel groups, we have kind of seen it all,” said Gomez. “But we know Weslaco has a lot of tradition. The kids there have grown up wanting to be Panthers and they have done a great job. We’re excited for the challenge.”