JOHN CANNON | SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
HARLINGEN — On Thursday night, Harlingen High fans came out in droves for the Cardinals’ season-opener to witness the Leo Tienda show.
However, it was quarterback Jesse Castro and running back Abel Castaneda who stole the show as they combined for 240 yards and accounted for four touchdowns while leading the top-ranked Cardinals to a convincing 44-14 win over Mission Veterans Memorial at Boggus Stadium.
“We always tell our kids that when your number is called, you’d better be ready to play,” Harlingen High coach Manny Gomez said. “Jesse and Abel came out and did that for our team.
“The quarterback position is a high-profile position here at Harlingen High, and tonight Jesse was a gamer. Abel understands his role. He is a hard-nosed kid and stepped up and ran the ball well.”
Castaneda got his team on the board first as he scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to give Harlingen a 7-0 lead with 2:43 left in the first quarter. Castaneda, who finished the night with 71 yards on 14 carries, also ran one in from 8-yards out late during the second quarter.
Castro helped Harlingen extend its lead to 14-0 at the 6:50 mark of the second quarter thanks to his 63-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Duffy. Castro (9-of-16 passing, 169 yards) also threw an 8-yard touchdown pass for his second and was pulled in the third quarter with his team comfortably ahead 41-0.
The Cardinals accumulated 335 yards of total offense. Tienda, pegged as one of the top runners in the Valley coming into the season, had a quiet night as he rushed for nine yards on five carries.
Harlingen was able to score in all three phases of the game, thanks to a defensive touchdown, a field goal and a punt return.
The Patriots’ offense didn’t throw in the towel as quarterback Diego Hernandez found a wide-open Jacob Guerrero during the third quarter on a 60-yard pass play to trim the lead to 41-6.
Vets added another touchdown late as Landry Gilpin scored on a 20-yard run to make it 44-14 with 15 seconds left in the game.