By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — Prior to the season, the Harlingen Cardinals and the Weslaco Panthers probably did not see themselves in a slump so early in the season, but here they are in week four of the season with a combined 1-4 record.
For both the Cardinals (0-2) and the Panthers (1-2), it would seem like Friday night’s game at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen will be a good chance to grab a momentum-building win heading into the start of district play next week.
However, the needing-a-big-win mentality isn’t going around either camp right now, but neither can deny that a win would be a step in the right direction.
“One more win or one more loss is not going to make the Harlingen Cardinals and it’s not going to make the Weslaco Panthers. The big thing is to try and not get anyone hurt,” Weslaco head football coach Tony Villarreal said Tuesday. “It would be nice to get a win going into district, but we have a lot of respect for (Harlingen head coach) Manny Gomez and his program. We also know that the Cardinals are going to come out and play hard; there’s no doubt.”
Harlingen, who lost starting quarterback Bowie Davis in Week one to a calf injury, saw backup quarterback Jesse Castro go down with a knee injury in their 21-14 loss to McAllen.
Despite the injury, the Cardinals were kept afloat by Rene Medina, who finished with 97 yards and a 35-yard touchdown which gave Harlingen a brief lead late.
As far as who will get the go under center, mum’s the word as Gomez and the Cards take things one day at a time.
“Whoever is ready for by Friday,” Gomez said of his quarterback situation. “The kids are working hard and getting better every single day. We’re just attacking it; it’s the next game on the list and we’re going to play as hard as we can no matter who is playing what for us. “
A defensive battle against two running teams is expected with the Cardinals run by committee approach now more important due to the situation at quarterback and the Panthers’ packing their traditional slot-T.
Both teams are boasting solid defensive units who can force turnovers and did so last week.
Last Week the Cards defense came to play and forced three turnovers and made McAllen’s Ricky Rodriguez earn his 156 yards on 33 carries.
The Panthers struggled last week and committed turnovers that led to easy points for Corpus Christi King in a 28-7 loss, but forced turnovers of their own against a good King offense.
“It’s going to be great football for both communities. They (Weslaco) do a good job over there and I think we do as well—it’s going to be a fun night,” Gomez said.
Nonetheless, running the ball will be big for both teams but it won’t be easy as the Harlingen and Weslaco have both been solid against the run this year despite tough starts.
“(Harlingen’s) defense has traditionally been one of the best and our running game has been good over the years; it’s a good match up. We have a good defense too,” Villarreal said. “It will be a defensive struggle but hopefully we can make enough plays to get into the end zone and Manny (Gomez) is probably thinking the same thing.”