By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
For the last couple of weeks, the Harlingen South Hawks have played to stay afloat in the District 32-6A playoff race.
And this week will be no different.
The Hawks will travel to San Benito to face the Greyhounds tonight at Bobby Morrow Stadium in San Benito.
The Hawks (3-4, 3-2), after winning three of their last four contests, sit in fourth place, along with Brownsville Veterans and need to win their final two games to have a shot at the playoffs.
The Hawks defeated the Greyhounds 21-20 a year ago, but know it won’t be easy upsetting the ‘Hounds for the second time in as many years.
“We can still control our own destiny, but we know it’s going to be hard with San Benito,” South head coach Lanny Wilson said. “They’re a hard-working, talented and well-coached football team. This time of year, all we want is a chance and we have one.”
Brownsville Veterans owns a head-to-head win over South, but are on a two-game skid with Los Fresnos on deck tonight, so that could open the door for the Hawks.
With a hungry Hawks team coming in, San Benito head coach Dan Gomez isn’t changing anything up.
In his eyes, every game is vital and every team is out to prove something, especially with the ‘Hounds tied for first in the district with Harlingen and Los Fresnos.
“The team and coaching staff have to keep the same mindset that we’ve had all year and that is treating every team like they are the best team in the district,” Gomez said. “We have to prepare like they’re coming in here to prove a point. South is a good ball club in all three phases.
“We treat every team with the respect that they deserve and head into the practice week with the mindset that we’re facing a very tough opponent.”
Last year, South put the clamps on the San Benito offense and held them scoreless in the second half of that game.
The South defense is No. 2 in the district in terms of yards allowed with 297 per game, but will have its work cut out once again this year as the ‘Hounds come in averaging 37 points and 417 yards per contest.
The margin for error is slim for the Hawks, so ball control on offense will be important towards their success.
“We have to play good technique and eliminate mistakes on the defensive side of the ball,” Wilson said. “One mistake or someone out of place can lead to a big play for San Benito; they are talented and do a good job of play calling. We want to keep the football on offense and away from them, because that’s the best way to stop them.
“We need to eliminate turnovers and play our best game of the year to win, but we’re confident.”
QB BATTLE
Two of the district’s best quarterbacks will be on display as South’s Brandon Villarreal and San Benito’s JR Gaitan hit the field tonight.
Gaitan has rushed for 13 scores, thrown for another 12 and is fourth in the district in rushing with 879 yards.
Meanwhile, Villarreal has been a force this season, rushing for six touchdowns and throwing for another nine.
HARLINGEN HOSTS LOPEZ
The Brownsville Lopez Lobos have nothing to play for when they face the Harlingen Cardinals tonight at Boggus Stadium.
However, Harlingen head coach Manny Gomez isn’t looking at it that way, because it’s business as usual for the Cardinals.
“We have a plan every week. We’re going to play within our parameters and play as hard as we can,” Gomez said. “We don’t spend any time trying to figure out the mindset of our opponent. We know we need to get into game shape and play as hard as we can”
The Cardinals have won two straight games, beating Los Fresnos and Brownsville Veterans in consecutive weeks.
They have been led by the defense, which has forced eight turnovers in those games.
It will be a tough outing for the Lopez Lobos, who average 212 yards of total offense per game.
Against San Benito last week, the Lobos had just 151 total yards in a 45-7 loss.
Still, the Cards won’t be sleeping on Lopez.
“I know coach Jason Starkey very well and he’s a competitor,” Gomez said. “I know he’s going to have his team ready to play and that’s what we’ll be looking for.
“We need to go out there and match their effort.”