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.

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.

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 — It looked like a family reunion after Bird Bowl XVII on the field at Boggus Stadium.

Parents and friends made their way to the field following Harlingen's 66-7 drubbing of Harlingen South on Friday.

Freddy Mercury's voice resonated over the PA system as Queen's We are the champions blared for all to hear.
Cliché? Yes.

But so were the Cards. After all, all they did was win.

Ten times this season to be exact.

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.

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.