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 — 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.

SAN ANTONIO — The "R" words are endless.

Rematch.

Revenge.

Respect.

But the Harlingen Cardinals can think of one only.

Redemption.

Hollywood couldn't have scripted it better.

One year after the Cardinals got beat by Austin Westlake at the Alamodome, the schools face off again in a Class 5A, Division I regional game.

Same place. Same date. Same teams.

"We're all excited and ecstatic about this," Harlingen DT Nick Aviles said after a morning Thanksgiving Day practice.

HARLINGEN — Success isn't always measured by wins and losses.

If that was the case, Harlingen head coach Manny Gomez could demand a raise right now.

In three years at the helm of the Cardinals football program, Big Red's exploded to a 29-7 record so far.

Gomez led Harlingen to only the third undefeated regular season in school history.

Harlingen is 12-0 and in the third round of the playoffs for the second straight season.

The Cardinals play Austin Westlake in a Class 5A, Division I regional contest on Friday at the Alamodome.

Ask PSJA head coach Mel Rios and he'll tell you just how tough District 31-5A really is.

Rios' Bears came in fifth place in 31-5A this season losing to the second through fourth place teams by a combined score of five points.

PSJA High lost to Edinburg North by three points, 31-28 in a nailbiter from the start.

The following week, the Bears lost to the Edinburg High Bobcats 33-32 in overtime.

Then in Week 10 with the Bears officially out of the postseason, PSJA High went for the win late in the game but came up short on the two-point play for the 21-20 loss.

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.

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.