MARK MOLINA |Staff Writer
After losing quarterback Cristian Sierra to graduation, the San Benito Greyhounds turned to quarterback JR Gaitan this season.
He has not disappointed and is emerging as one of the district’s best QBs.
Gaitan has gotten it done both through the air and on the ground.
In San Benito’s 22-21 win over Harlingen this past week, he orchestrated the game-winning drive, going 3 of 6 for 62 yards and running for 16 more.
Gaitan finished the game throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 53 yards on his way to becoming the game’s most valuable player.
On the year, he has racked up 625 yards rushing and 911 passing.
NOT GETTING EASIER: The Battle of the Arroyo is now over, but the war is still going on for the Harlingen Cardinals, who are in the midst of the toughest part of their schedule.
After their loss to San Benito, the Cardinals will not have an easy time rebounding as they host the undefeated Los Fresnos Falcons this Friday night at Boggus Stadium.
The undefeated Brownsville Veterans Chargers, who face San Benito in another big 32-6A matchup this week, are on deck after that.
The Cardinals are looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since this same time a year ago when they fell to San Benito and Los Fresnos in consecutive weeks.
HAWKS CAN’T HOLD ON: The Harlingen South Hawks have shown that they can play the district’s best teams tough, but they haven’t been able to pull out a win.
Against Brownsville Veterans two weeks ago, a late touchdown sent the Hawks home with a 25-28 loss.
This week, Harlingen trailed Los Fresnos 17-14 at the half, but a 22-point third quarter by the Falcons paved the way for a 39-21 win.
The Hawks will look to get back in the win column as they face the Brownsville Rivera Raiders on Thursday night.