By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
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 a 35-16 win Friday night at Sams Memorial Stadium.
The Cardinals took a 35-0 lead into the locker room.
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, who returned the ball 14 yards for a score.
Lopez (0-9, 0-6) failed to keep up offensively. The Lobos hardly advanced the ball, earning only one first down on 5 yards during the first half.
Tienda added another touchdown during the second quarter on a 28-yard reception from Jesse Castro, and Michael Allen Gonzalez ran 19 yards into the end zone minutes later.
The second half was much quieter for Harlingen High, as it rarely advanced much further than midfield.
Lopez, however, found some life during the second half. Martin Vela scored on a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter, and quarterback Mike Vasquez scrambled 29 yards for another Lobos score midway through the fourth quarter.
The win goes a long way for the Cardinals (5-4, 4-2 in District 32-6A), who are now in a favorable position in the district standings. The Lobos, however, will need to wait another week to search for their first win of the season.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.