KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN—-Sometimes, there are things bigger than football.
For Harlingen High senior William Herring, football is a passion, but something that he knows will only be a snapshot in his life.
Herring, who was born in Houston but grew up in Harlingen, is taking in his senior year and enjoying every second of playing football for the Cardinals.
“My older brother was a Harlingen Cardinal,” Herring said. “It means greatness. It means to compete. So being a Harlingen Cardinal is that. We compete; we are tough and are strong minded.”
Herring lost his father due to heart problems when he was 11-years old. The senior sees football as a way to honor his late father and plays the game with a passion and takes pride in the Cardinal red.
“This is my only sport and it means a lot to me,” Herring said. “My dad got me into football as a kid and I have played the game my whole life and I play for him. I think we all played for him. My sister was a cheerleader here and my brother played football here. He was at all of our games and went to my sisters cheer practices, too. He lives through us and I know he is watching down. I try and go out there and make plays for him and my mom.”
During the game is when Herring feels his dad right by his side.
“Whenever I made a big play, my dad would always run down the sideline with me,” he said. “So when I ever make a big play, I just look up into the stands.”
Everything will be in the rearview mirror once Herrings graduates this spring. He and his family will be moving to El Paso, where his step father received a new job. Herring will attend the University of Texas next fall.
Herring, who is in his second year on the varsity and is one of the leaders in the secondary, enjoys the carb night with his team, which has become a tradition on nights before games.
He also wears the No.17 because of his birthday September 17 and has worn it ever since he first put on pads when he was in first grade.
These are the moments and memories Herring will leave behind once high school football has passed him, but he looks to make the most of them while he still can.
“It hit me the first day of practice that this could be the last time I ever play football,” Herring said. “So I’m going out there trying to make every day special and trying my best everyday.”
Herring is preparing for his second Battle of the Arroyo on Friday night. Herring saw his brother play in the rivalry game and is eager to take the field in the classic rivalry.
“At my first Battle, I saw my brother make a big tackle and I remember thinking I wanted to do the same thing,” Herring said. “The atmosphere is so loud, you can’t even hear the person next you because it is so loud and there is so much excitement.”