High school football returns with a bang in the Valley, with Week 1 featuring a loaded slate of rivalry games. None, however, might be bigger than the RGVSports.com Game of the Week between No. 3 Harlingen High and No. 7 Harlingen South at 7 p.m. Friday at Boggus Stadium.
Harlingen South enters the year fresh off their first district title since 2012, going 10-0 during the regular season before falling in the first round of the postseason to PSJA North.
The Hawks return just four starters from last season’s playoff-qualifying team. They’ll rely on veteran linebackers Caleb Anaya, Ethan Garza and Andrew Luna, who combined for over 200 tackles and 10 sacks a year ago, to slow down a talented Cardinals’ offense.
Harlingen High’s offense returns eight starters on offense, including first-team all-district selections running back Izaiah Bell and receiver Aiden Sandoval. Bell served as the Cardinals’ workhorse running back when healthy last season, amassing over 700 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven games, while Sandoval did his work on the outside, racking up 622 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
While a non-district contest this season, with Harlingen South dropping in classification from 6A to 5A-Division I, emotions should run high as always between the crosstown rivals.
Last year’s contest featured Harlingen South snapping a 13-game losing streak to Harlingen High, picking up a 28-21 victory over the Cardinals. Still, Harlingen High holds the series advantage over Harlingen South 25-4.
Kickoff for the 30th Bird Bowl is slated for 7 p.m. Friday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
