By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — When the postseason brackets came out, it looked as if Harlingen and McAllen Memorial were destined to meet in the Class 6A Division I Area playoffs.
Now that it has come to fruition, tonight’s matchup at Boggus Stadium is highly touted as McAllen Memorial puts its undefeated record on the line against a 9-2 Harlingen squad that is peaking at the right time.
Harlingen is relishing the moment for what’s at stake and the atmosphere expected.
“It’s a great challenge and anytime you can play in the postseason is a great honor and achievement,” said Harlingen head coach Manny Gomez. “It’s definitely going to be a fun time for both communities coming together at Harlingen. We prepare for a 48-minute game and that’s what we’re gearing up for.”
McAllen Memorial head coach Bill Littleton on the other hand, isn’t focusing on who’s on the other side.
He wants his team to worry about playoff football.
“The morale is good and it’s not about who’s going up against who; it’s another Friday night,” Littleton said. “We’re not wrapped up about who we’re playing. We are playing for another opportunity to play another week. If you’re not, you’re through.
“It’s just another ball game against another team.”
Tonight’s matchup will feature Memorial’s Division I talent Trevor Speights facing off against Harlingen’s defense, which has allowed just seven points in its last three games and held Edinburg Economedes to less than 60 yards of total offense in last week’s bi-district win.
In the Mustangs’ 27-24 win over Laredo United South last week, Speights rushed for 262 yards and three touchdowns.
The rest of the team had a combined 26 yards of total offense, but Gomez doesn’t expect the Mustangs to be one dimensional this week.
“You can’t coach speed or simulate what a D-I athlete can do in practice,” Gomez said. “It’s going to be something we have to adapt to, but that’s what’s great about this challenge. However, it’s not a one-man show; (Speights) has a great supporting cast.
“They’re a well-oiled machine at McAllen Memorial.”
Harlingen has given up an average of 140 yards on the ground to opponents— 73 in their last three games.
Despite Memorial’s offense around Speights struggling, Littleton won’t change the approach in the face of one of the season’s toughest tests.
“We don’t approach this game any different than we have any other game all year long,” Littleton said. “The Cardinals are going to come out and play their best football like they always do and we won’t expect anything less.
“We have to play our best football and see who’s left standing when it’s all said and done.”
Memorial’s defense will have its hands full as well in this one as Harlingen’s trio of quarterback Jesse Castro, running back Leo Tienda and receiver Michael Allen Gonzalez are coming off their finest performances of the year.
Castro threw for 174 yards and four touchdowns (two to Gonzalez), while Tienda ran for 94 yards and a pair of TDs on four carries behind consistent play by the offensive line.
“I believe that if you have a good offensive line, you’ll be successful,” Gomez said. “I know Memorial’s line gets off the ball well and so does ours, it’ll come down to execution. It’s going to be a great matchup for both defenses and a great game to coach and be a witness of.”