"Well sure, O.K. they’re Outcast," said some of the younger gulls, "but hey, man, where did they learn to fly like that?..." - Jonathan Livingston SeagullBy DUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ
The Paz Files
AUSTIN, Texas - For the first time in 50 years, the Rio Grande Valley has a high school football team being seen across the state as not merely the latest pretender, but as a serious contender for the Class 5A state championship.
It is a heady time in Harlingen, where the undefeated Cardinals are riding a 13-0 season that has them two victories from challenging for the elusive state title. The Valley kids take on a squad from San Antonio Madison High that has suffered four defeats this season, but is also riding the crest of a playoff winning streak. They meet Saturday in Kingsville, with the winner to take on, it appears, a tremendous team from Dallas Skyline High.
It's been more than a spell since the RGV saw a team fly the altitude these Crrdinals are currently flying. That 1961 team, from Donna, was led by a young man by the name of Luz Pedraza, who quarterbacked the Redskins in the team's victory over a tough club from Quanah in claiming the Valley's first - and only - state championship, 28-21.
These Cardinals can play defense, and they'll need it against the bigger and faster clubs still in the hunt. Six interceptions against pass-happy San Antonio Warren last Saturday in Corpus Christi - four for touchdowns. Not that the Cardinal offense is shabby, but any serious sportswriter or die-hard fan will tell you it is defense that wins the big games. Harlingen will be tested again this coming weekend, and an entire economically-depressed town awaits the result in the same manner that it forever awaits business investment. A state championship would end a bad year on a positive note. Too much craziness has fallen on Harlingen this year, including a few sad episodes in the city's politics.
Football brings a small town together like nothing else. It is doing it in Harlingen.
The kids are ready for the next challenge. Residents are planning trips only miles up Hiway 77 for the big game, and no recent dream in town compares to what the outcome of this game portends. It's a time for celebration, and, in Harlingen, that spirit of life is being accompanied by the brassy sounds of the Harlingen High band. Cardinal red is in, flashed off streamers in the school's hallways and worn with pride in town.
Just win it, boys. Play smart and play hard. Leave it all on the field. Make the RGV proud.
Some things only come around once in life...
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19 comments:
The cards are going to win, they are playing good heads up ball. And what they lack in size they overcome with speed. The corners and safeties are fast.
They run well coordinated stunts.
Rex Dausin from Warren admitted, they play a defense scheme hard to figure out. (Rex it is called blitzing)
Madison has lost 4 games! Harlingen High by 21 points. Bring on Dallas!
I'll go with Harlingen, 35-30. Good luck!
Good game, too bad it is at night game. Afternoon games are better. Manny, no more Friday nights.
excellent article. The other local blogs don't write things up like this. Jerry deal is stealing stuff from the San Antonio newspapers and Tony Chapa is comatose. Thankz.
Whether Junoir Bonner was real or not real doesn't matter to me. I enjoyed reading about him and his stories. To those who bitch about it, I say, "whatever."
Harlingen may be a down and out valley town, but it's riding high right now. All other towns can only watch in envy. Pobres.
San Antonio 42 Harlingen 17
Harlingen has a habit of taking a week off. They win, but their effort is noticeable. Let's hope they show up to win and not just take a whipping. I say San Antonio wins by 10, 35-25
The red birds are comming to Kinsville, and yes, whether people like it or not, live with it, or put shoulder pads and get ready to rumble.
Heard Junior Bonner was fired. Is that so?
Anon, there is no Junior Bonner.
Good grief, that is one expensive Chololate Sundae. You better enjoy every spoonful.
Of course there is a Junior Bonner. watch he'll be back writing soon. I know it. Just hang on. All you hear now is jealousy noise. That's the RGV.
Harlingen 42 San Antonio Madison 21
Take it to the bank!
Damn that Herman Cain is a real hound, he gropes women, has women on the side, harrasses women, Herman, are you related to the now defunct Junior Bonner who has moved from Combes, because the Harlingen Housing authority refuse to pay "part of his rent."
I know you are, you are about his age, nothing but hounds, P-hounds.
Cain is an insult to women.
When is LaCandrelle Jefferson going to write a sports article.
Youse fellas, my name is La Candrelle Jefferson, I had to hi-tailed it from my Country, cause I couldn't pay child zupporrrt, youse no what I mean, Hehehhee, oops, I forgot, that sounds like Junior Bonner,after 10 miller light beeerrrsssss.
When a Valley Team makes it, it stops being Harlingen HS and it becomes a RIO GRANDE VALLEY TEAM.
GOOD LUCK Harlingen.
The Valley is with you. Our support and prayers. You have what it takes to make it BIG.
*Woman from Brownsville.
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