SAN ANTONIO — Cardinals head coach Manny Gomez fought back tears as he screamed at the top of his lungs following Friday’s Class 5A, Division I regional game.

His players surrounded him in a half circle, tears streaming down their cheeks.

Gomez pleaded with them, “don’t cry fellas! You have nothing to be ashamed of. What you guys did this season, no one can ever take it away from you.”

Soothing words from a fearless leader. But not one without a heart.

Gomez felt the pain each one of his players felt following their 42-13 loss to Austin Westlake.

KINGSVILLE — Behind a stellar defensive effort and just enough from its offense, Harlingen High lived to play one more week as it defeated San Antonio Southwest 21-14 on a wet and muddy field Friday night at Javelina Stadium in a Class 5A Division I area game.

Harlingen (12-0) will play Austin Westlake at 4 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome in a rematch of last year’s regional contest.

KINGSVILLE — See Tre'vion Johnson. See Tre'vion Johnson run. See Tre'vion Johnson run…a lot.

It's no secret that the SA Southwest Dragons love to run the ball.

In 10 games, including a bi-district beatdown of Rio Grande City last week, the Dragons have rushed for 2,770 yards.

Johnson leads the team with 1,202 yards and 20 touchdowns, including a 196-yard and four-TD effort against the Rattlers last week. SW has gained 3,542 total yards on the season.

HARLINGEN — It was unfamiliar territory to say the least.

Harlingen led 14-7 at halftime against San Benito last week. But it was as close a half as any the Cardinals had played all season.

In its district opener against Edinburg North, Harlingen led 21-10 at the half after rallying from a first-quarter deficit.

In what turned out to be the district title game against PSJA North last month, the Cards led 20-7 at the half.

Other than those games, Harlingen's held very comfortable leads heading into intermission.

Valley-Boys basketball schedule
Editor’s Note: Coaches are asked to e-mail their schedules to wbaker@themonitor.com or fax them to (956) 683-4401.
Nov. 16
Non-district
Weslaco High at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 17
Non-district
PSJA Memorial at McAllen Memorial, 7:30 p.m.
Harlingen South at Sharyland, 7:30 p.m.
La Joya Palmview at Mission Veterans, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Pace at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Lopez at PSJA High, 7:30 p.m.
Roma at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m.

Valley-Boys basketball schedule
Editor’s Note: Coaches are asked to e-mail their schedules to wbaker@themonitor.com or fax them to (956) 683-4401.
Nov. 16
Non-district
Weslaco High at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 17
Non-district
PSJA Memorial at McAllen Memorial, 7:30 p.m.
Harlingen South at Sharyland, 7:30 p.m.
La Joya Palmview at Mission Veterans, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Pace at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsville Lopez at PSJA High, 7:30 p.m.
Roma at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m.

HARLINGEN — Mack Sanchez zigged and Mack Sanchez zagged.

He broke a tackle here and a he broke a tackle there.

Then he sprinted.

The run will officially go down as a 52-yard touchdown run. But really, Sanchez covered about 105 yards of field running what seemed like circles around San Benito defenders.

Typical Mack The Knife.

HARLINGEN — Mack Sanchez zigged and Mack Sanchez zagged.

He broke a tackle here and a he broke a tackle there.

Then he sprinted.

The run will officially go down as a 52-yard touchdown run. But really, Sanchez covered about 105 yards of field running what seemed like circles around San Benito defenders.

Typical Mack The Knife.

HARLINGEN — There’s a first time for everything.

For the first time in the storied history of the Battle of the Arroyo, Harlingen and San Benito will meet in the postseason.

The Cards host the Greyhounds tonight at Boggus Stadium in a Class 5A, Division I bi-district clash.

Harlingen defeated the Greyhounds, 35-6, for the 56th time in the 80 years of The Battle.

The Cards lead the all-time series 56-19-5.

But tonight’s Battle 80.5 has a lot more riding on it than the previous 80.

HARLINGEN — Pablo Garza isn't like your average high school senior.

Sure he plays football and is the starting running back for the Harlingen Cardinals.

He's a two-year starter at the position and three-year varsity letterman.

Garza even led Harlingen to a 42-14 win against PSJA North last week in Pharr. Garza rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries and caught four passes for 40 yards.