By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — It’s a tale of two teams heading in different directions when Brownsville Rivera faces off against Harlingen to begin District 32-6A play tonight at Boggus Stadium.
The Cardinals (2-1) are coming in as winners of two straight, while the Brownsville Rivera Raiders (0-3) are still looking to get their first victory of the season.
Still, Harlingen head coach Manny Gomez isn’t taking the Rivera Raiders lightly with head coach Tom Chavez at the helm.
“Coach Tom Chavez is a coach that I consider a mentor to not only me but a lot of these coaches in the Valley,” Gomez said. “I expect a well-coached machine. He’s been around the game for a long time and anytime you play those guys. It’s going to be a fight from start to finish and I wouldn’t expect it any other way from Tom Chavez.”
Both defenses rank in the top five in the district, with the Raiders allowing just five yards less to opponents.
The Cards, however, have allowed just 25 points per game, while the Raiders have yielded more than 35.
In their two wins over McAllen and Weslaco, Harlingen has allowed just 17 points per game.
Where the game will see it’s biggest tilt will be on offense.
The Cardinals have been consistent and balanced on offense during their first three games, in which they have averaged 36 points and 386 yards per game this year.
The Cardinals are averaging 31 points per game and have gotten production from many players, such as running back Leo Tienda (433 yards, 4TDs), receiver Michael Allen Gonzalez (4 TDS) and quarterback Jesse Castro (412 yards passing, 4TDs).
“The bottom line is that everyone has to play as hard as you can,” Gomez said. “You never know when you have to make a play, so you have to be ready. As a team we take that approach and for individuals, you have to go out and play as hard as you can.”
The Raiders have been in a slump offensively and have gone scoreless in seven of their last eight quarters and are near the bottom in total offense in the district averaging 208 yards and nine points per game.
The lone bright spot on the Raider offense looks to be receiver Oggy Martinez, who leads the district with 18 catches.
Last year, the Cardinals’ defensive back Felix Reyna picked off Danny Elizondo about seven minutes left in the game, sealing a 17-10 victory for Harlingen.
NO NEED TO PANIC:
This is not a new situation for Tom Chavez and the Raiders. Last year, they began the year 0-5.
They won their last five district games, which included a win over district-leading San Benito, forcing a four-way tie for the District 32-6A crown on the final night of the season.
They went to the regional semifinals where they fell to Brandeis 42-14.