High school football is finally back and Laredo United at San Benito kicks off the 2017 season as the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week.
Last season, the Greyhounds bolted out of the starting gate with a big 47-21 win over the Longhorns in Laredo. The Hounds will now try to duplicate last year as they host the Horns at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bobby Morrow Stadium.
The Hounds return many of the same explosive offensive weapons they had last season, including quarterback Erick Retta, wide receiver Isaiah Trevino and running back Tyrone Harper.
Meanwhile, the Horns, who went 9-4 in 2016 and were Division I regional semifinalists, return running back Isaac Velazquez, who dazzled last season by rushing for 1,881 yards and 25 touchdowns.
CHANGE OF PLANS
Rio Hondo was slated to kick off the season by hosting Sinton on Friday. However due to Hurricane Harvey’s impact on the Coastal Bend last week, all of Sinton’s athletic events were cancelled this week. Bobcats head coach Rocky James said Monday morning that he was looking for a last-minute opponent. The historic storm has also left Weslaco High and Edinburg Vela without Week 1 opponents. The Panthers had been set to play at Richmond George Ranch on Saturday afternoon, but are now still in search of a Week 1 opponent. Meanwhile, Vela will now take on Laredo Nixon at 7:30 p.m. in Laredo.
BIG RED GETS AN EARLY START
The Harlingen Cardinals kick off the season with a Thursday night affair against Mission Veterans, which will be played at McAllen Memorial Stadium because the work being done on Tom Landry Stadium in Mission was not complete in time for the game. Kickoff for the contest is set for 7 p.m. Last year the Cardinals beat up on the Patriots 44-14.
HAWKS ON THE ROAD
The Harlingen South Hawks, who were denied the chance to play their only scrimmage of the preseason this past weekend due to Hurricane Harvey, are at McAllen High on Friday. Last season the Hawks beat the Bulldogs 21-14.
WEEK 1 GAMES
Laredo United at San Benito
Harlingen vs. Mission Veterans
Porter vs. Rivera
McAllen Rowe at Edinburg
LJ Juarez-Lincoln at PSJA Memorial
RGC at La Joya
Harlingen South at McAllen
Los Fresnos at Edcouch-Elsa
Mercedes at CC Calallen
Sinton at Rio Hondo
Lopez at Port Isabel
La Feria at Raymondville
Lyford at Progreso
Hidalgo at Santa Rosa
Sharyland at Weslaco East
Economedes at Hanna
Mission at PSJA North
PSJA at Donna North
Victoria East at Edinburg Vela
Roma at LJ Palmview
McAllen Memorial at Sharyland Pioneer
Donna at Valley View
Grulla at St. Joseph
Pharr Oratory at Monte Alto
La Villa at Riviera
MMA at Santa Maria
Weslaco at George Ranch
Bro. Veterans at Edinburg North
PSJA Southwest at Pace
