KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Cardinals wide receiver Joe Reyna has been one of Harlingen’s biggest weapons on offense in 2018.
Last year when senior wide out Riley Sauceda went down with an injury, Reyna stepped in and provided the Cards with a reliable target and emerged as a go-to guy on the Cardinal offense.
Reyna finished the season with 28 catches, 482 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2018, Reyna has picked up where he left off and continues to cause fits for opposing defenses.
Through eight games this season Reyna already has more catches and yards than he did his junior year. Reyna has hauled in 30 balls, 554 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Reyna and the offense will take the field tonight in the 26th annual Bird Bowl. Not only is it the penultimate game of the regular season, but the game carries playoff implications.
“It is always exciting to play Harlingen South and it gives us a chance to put on a show for our fans,” Reyna said. “This is a tradition that we want to carry on, this game is a part of our program.”
Last year Reyna made his Bird Bowl debut and he did not disappoint.
Against South, Reyna caught three passes for 98 yards and three scores including a 47-yard and a 44 yard score.
Along with the big night, Reyna received the Great American Rivalry Series Most Valuable Player.
“I’m used to the big crowd and everything that comes with it,” Reyna said. “I saw a lot of Bird Bowls when my brother played. If I had to pick a memory it would be last year when I won the MVP award that was fun and playing in the Bird Bowl is something we talk about as a family for sure.”