HARLINGEN — With the 2024 Texas high school football regular season just one week away, teams across the RGV took the field Thursday for their final tune-up.
At Boggus Stadium in Harlingen, the hometown Cardinals hosted Sharyland High in a full four-quarter scrimmage.
Here are some notes from the first half of the matchup between the Cardinals and Rattlers.
OFFENSIVE WOES
Sharyland High will have a new face under center in 2024 after the graduation of two-year starter Bo Krell, who is now at Houston Baptist. The new-look Rattlers struggled to find its groove Thursday, with six of their seven first-half drives ending without a score.
The Rattlers did show signs of life during their final drive of the first half, driving all the way down to the Harlingen High six-yard line before having to settle for a field goal before the break.
MIDSEASON FORM
Which the Rattlers’ offensive unit struggled, the Cardinals moved the ball with relative ease during the opening period, finding the endzone on two of their first three drives.
Leading the offensive charge was last year’s Herald/Star Tri-Newcomer of the Year Noah Huerta.
The junior running back gashed Sharyland High’s defense for 71 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Expect the Cardinals to lean on Huerta heavily early on during the season, with a brand-new quarterback under center for the team this year.
QUARTERBACK BATTLE
While the running back position is solidified for the Cardinals, the quarterback position is still up in the air heading into the new year.
Senior Jonas Serna and freshman Hasaan Woolery both saw action during the first half of Thursday’s scrimmage.
Serna opened the game at the helm for the Cardinals, playing in four of Harlingen High’s five first-half drives. The senior signal caller finished 3-of-8 for 56 yards during the first half, with most of his yardage coming on yards after catch from his receivers.
Woolery’s lone offensive drive during the first half ended in a turnover on downs inside enemy territory. Still, the freshman showed flashes of his potential early on, lowering his shoulder and running through a Sharyland High defender for a seven-yard gain on his first play of the game.
The freshman QB finished 3-of-4 for 15 yards during the first half, adding two carries for nine yards.
UP NEXT
With the offseason in the book, Harlingen High and Sharyland High now turn their attention to Week 1 of the regular season.
The Cardinals open the year against former district rival Weslaco High at 7 p.m. next Friday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
The Rattlers hit the road for their Week 1 opener, taking on Weslaco East at 7:30 next Friday at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.
