KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
HARLINGEN—-In just a blink of an eye, three years have come and gone. — more or less.
Harlingen South senior quarterback David Torres is in his final year and has guided the Hawks since his sophomore season.
Torres entered his first season as the back up quarterback.
After three weeks, the Hawks were 1-2 and needed a spark on offense.
After a bye week, Hawks head coach Brian Ricci elected to give the keys to Torres.
“It was a bye week and the coaches called me in and asked me if I was ready,” Torres said. “They asked me how I felt and I told them I felt good. Once they told me I was starting the Bird Bowl, my whole stomach just dropped. I hadn’t played much and that was going to be my first time on the field.”
Torres took the bulls by the horn and has started every game since his first start in 2017.
“I had so many emotions that night,” the Hawks QB said. “I was excited and I just wanted to go out there and prove myself. It all hit me when I walked out onto the field and saw the crowd; it was amazing.”
Torres is one senior that has been on the varsity for three years.
In his time, he has provided the Hawks with leadership on and off the field and is a student of the game.
“David is a great kid and student athlete,” Ricci said. “He leads by example and he is the first one in and the last one out. It is going to be tough coming out next year and not seeing him out there. He is a fixture and has been here for three years; he has done a great job. He is always learning and asking questions.”
Torres is 0-2 against Harlingen High but will have one last crack at redemption and hopes third time is the charm.
“Us and the Harlingen High guys have known each other for a long time and played football and baseball together,” Torres said. “We want to crack that losing streak. Everything comes into play and it is just exciting. Right now, we have a lot of energy and everyone is excited.”
Torres and the Hawks got their first district win last week against Rivera and are alive in the playoff race. The Hawks meet the Cardinals Friday at 7:30 p.m. in The Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week.