HARLINGEN — Harlingen South’s senior running back Jorge Alicea is off to a strong start this season. Through Week Four, he leads District 32-6A in yards with 515, attempts with 94 and touchdowns with seven. Alicea and the Hawks are preparing for Friday’s Bird Bowl. The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with Alicea.
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Q: It’s Bird Bowl week and it’s your senior year. How much fun has it been to be part of it the last three years?
A: It’s been a blast. (There’s ) so much hype every year that it’s awesome. But at the end of the day, it’s just a game like any other.
Q: Do you have any friends at Harlingen High that you’ve grown up playing against?
A: I actually don’t have any friends over there. I know who some of the players are, but I don’t have any sort of relationship with them.
Q: South hasn’t beaten Harlingen since the 2007 season. What’s it going to take for you guys to break the skid?
A: Executing every play. As long as everyone on the team does their job as an individual and we play as a team, we’re going to be OK.
Q: What’s the best part of Bird Bowl?
A: The best part is the rivalry between the two schools.
Q: You’re off to a great start to the season. What were some things you worked on over the offseason?
A: I worked on a lot of stuff this offseason but I mainly worked on speed, agility and the ability to catch the ball out of the back field.
Q: Do you have any pre-game music you listen to before games?
A: I do. I like to listen to rap because it gets me in my zone.
Q: What’s your favorite pre-game meal?
A: I like to get the steak and cheese sandwich from Subway.
Q: Who is your favorite NFL running back and why?
A: I love to watch (Pittsburgh Steelers) Le’veon Bell. He has changed the game due to his unique playing style and as a back that can do it all.
