HARLINGEN — For Halloween, the young Harlingen South Hawks chose to go as a veteran team who forced mistakes and stayed poised when it counted late.
The Harlingen South defense came up big as they held the District 32-6A-leading San Benito Greyhounds scoreless in the second half, helping set up a game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass from South quarterback Abram Gutierrez to Darren Perez with less than seven minutes to play, as the Hawks beat the Greyhounds 21-20 Friday night at Boggus Stadium.
After trailing by as much as 13 points and turning the ball over allowing a touchdown in the first half, the Hawks regrouped in the second half as their run game kept San Benito’s district-best offense off the field late and watched their defense force five turnovers.
The win gives the Hawks (3-6, 2-4) their second district win and gives the Greyhounds (6-3, 5-1) their first district loss of the season and forces the ‘Hounds to beat the Brownsville Rivera Raiders in the season finale next week in order to claim an outright District 32-6A title.
HARLINGEN HIGH 35, BROWNSVILLE LOPEZ 16: The Harlingen High Cardinals got out to a fast start against the Lopez Lobos and put enough points on the board before halftime to secure the win. The Cardinals took a 35-0 lead into the locker room and ultimately won the game 35-16.
Harlingen High (5-4, 4-2 in District 32-6A) set the tone early. Running back Leo Tienda carried the ball five times during the first quarter and piled up 35 yards and two touchdowns. That was in addition to a strip fumble recovery by Edwin Gasca, which he took 14 yards for a score.
Lopez (0-9, 0-6) couldn’t keep up offensively. The Lobos could hardly advance the ball, earning only one first down on five yards during the first half.
LOS FRESNOS 21, BROWNSVILLE VETERANS MEMORIAL 0: At Los Fresnos, Falcons’ running back Isaac Moreno scored two rushing touchdowns in the second half as Los Fresnos broke a scoreless tie and went on to defeat Brownsville Veterans Memorial.
Moreno finished with 105 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.
With the loss, the third straight in district play for Brownsville Veterans (5-4, 3-3), the Chargers need to get a win next week for a chance at the postseason.
Derrik Rodriguez led the Chargers with 100 yards on 21 carries and completed 1 of 2 passes for 9 yards.
The victory should wrap up a postseason berth for the Falcons (6-3, 4-2), but coach Clint Finley has no plans to relax in the season finale.
McALLEN MEMORIAL 34, LA JOYA PALMVIEW 14:While 200-plus yard, four-touchdown games like Friday’s have become commonplace for McAllen Memorial running back Trevor Speights, he did secure a significant first in the Mustangs’ win: his first district title.
After a 34-14 victory against an upstart La Joya Palmview team that gave the Mustangs a stiffer test than the final score shows, Memorial can finish no worse than tied for the District 30-6A championship.
“I’m grateful, obviously. I have the best teammates in the world,” Speights said. “I wouldn’t change this moment for anything.”
At 8-1 overall and 5-0 in district, McAllen Memorial needs only to avoid what would be a shocking upset at the hands of Mission High next week.
Were the Mustangs to somehow fall, they would still share the title with the winner of next week’s matchup between Palmview (6-2-1, 4-1) and McAllen High. Memorial last won a district title in 2011, before the current crop of seniors had cracked the varsity roster.
MISSION HIGH 27, LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN 14: At Mission, the Eagles won their first district game to improve to 1-4 in District 30-6A. They’re now 2-7 overall.
Juarez-Lincoln fell to 0-5 in district, 0-9 overall. Juarez-Lincoln’s loss means La Joya High is in the playoffs and McAllen Rowe is eliminated.
WESLACO HIGH 35, EDINBURG ECONOMEDES 14: At Weslaco, the Panthers continued their torrid run through District 31-6A, improving to 5-4 overall, 4-1 in district.
Economedes fell to 3-6, 1-4.
WESLACO EAST 48, EDINBURG HIGH 14: At Edinburg, the Wildcats improved to 8-1 overall, 4-1 in District 31-6A.
The Bobcats fell to 2-7, 1-4.
SHARYLAND HIGH 55, VALLEY VIEW 14: At Mission, Sharyland High won its fifth consecutive game, beating visiting Valley View at Richard Thompson Stadium.
Six different players scored for the Rattlers (8-1, 5-0), who played their final home game of the regular season.
“Our boys performed well,” Sharyland coach Ron Adame said. “It’s like we told our kids, ‘It might be your last home game, seniors. You don’t know what’s next (in the playoffs). So make it a good one. Create a memory.’ And they did a good job.
“They fought hard. Coach Peña, he’s got those guys playing hard.”
With the loss, Valley View dropped to 1-8 overall, 1-4 in district.
ROMA 37, SHARYLAND PIONEER 3: At Roma, the Gladiators moved one step closer to their first ever playoff berth.
Roma has the leg up on Pioneer now for fourth in 31-5A and can earn a playoff spot with a win next week. The Gladiators improved to 4-4 overall, 2-3 in district. Pioneer fell to 3-7, 1-5.
PSJA HIGH 42, BROWNSVILLE PORTER 7: At Pharr, the Bears improved to 5-4 overall, 3-3 in District 32-5A. The Cowboys fell to 2-7, 1-5.
MERCEDES 48, PSJA SOUTHWEST 34: At Mercedes, the Tigers clinched at least a share of the 32-5A title by improving to 8-1 overall, 6-0 in district.
Southwest fell to 5-4, 3-3 in district. Southwest is tied for fourth place with PSJA High at 3-3 in district. The Bears own that tiebreaker.
DONNA HIGH 56, DONNA NORTH 14: One day the contest between Donna High and Donna North will have significance like a playoff spot or even district title. But on the historic inaugural game, the Redskins did what they were supposed to do and that was dominate the Chiefs in every phase of the game.
Donna didn’t officially secure a playoff spot according head coach Ramiro Leal, but are in good shape in sole possession of third place with a one-game lead over PSJA High and PSJA Southwest heading into the final week of the season.
There are still tie-breakers and point systems involved should there be a three-way tie at the end of the season.
The Redskins (4-2 District 32-5A, 5-3 overall) can avoid all the mess if they simply win next week against Edcouch-Elsa or a Javelina loss.
PORT ISABEL VS. ORANGE GROVE, PPD.: Due to heavy rains, Port Isabel will have to wait a day longer to try to stake claim to a share of the District 16-4A Division II title.
Friday night’s game with Orange Grove was postponed to give the school district extra time to get the field ready.
The Tarpons (7-1 overall, 2-1 in district) will face the Bulldogs (7-1, 3-0) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Orange Grove.