Apparently much of the Valley viewed Will Ferrell’s “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” immediately following the Harlingen Cardinals 42-13 loss to Austin Westlake on Friday night.

I say this because it would appear that several Valley football fans believe — just as Ricky Bobby did in the film — that “if you ain’t first, you’re last.”

Despite a wonderful season that saw the Cards go 12-1, there are people out there who believe that Harlingen’s season went to waste after losing to the Chaparrals.

SAN ANTONIO — Before the Harlingen Cardinals’ game against Austin Westlake, an Alamodome press box official wandered over to a gathering of reporters and declared he’d heard that Big Red’s terrorizing defensive end Mingo Rincon “was a stud.”

He and the thousands of others in attendance at the Alamo City landmark Friday undoubtedly did not leave disappointed.

SAN ANTONIO — Being the underdog is nothing new to Roy Garza and the Edinburg North Cougars.

Playing in District 31-5A, the Coogs fought for their third-place finish.

Up against teams like Harlingen and PSJA North, only made the Cougars a better team.

And after weathering the storm of playing shorthanded for the early part of the season due to injury, the North is playing superb ball at the right time.

The Cougars have definitely endured a lot this season.

But Edinburg North is reaping their rewards now.

SAN ANTONIO — There was a soothing sense of calm after PSJA North fell behind, 35-14, to Eagle Pass in last week's area clash.

And it didn't come from the Raiders veteran head coach Bruce Bush.

It came from three-year starting quarterback Noe Garcia.

One of the most underrated QBs in the Valley the last couple of years, Garcia rallied his troops as the silver and black came back and won a wild one 56-42.