The Harlingen Cardinals find themselves in a very peculiar situation entering Week 10.
For the first time in since the 2014 season, the Cards (5-3, 3-2) have dropped two district games in a row and now desperately need a win against Brownsville Hanna this Friday in the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the week. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
While Big Red is not out of the postseason race, a third consecutive loss would drop them to 3-3 on the District 32-6A season with one game left to play in Week 11 at undefeated San Benito.The Cards need a victory against Hanna (4-1, 6-2) to keep pace with Los Fresnos and Weslaco East, which are also both 3-2 in district play.
This past Friday, the Cardinals lost to Los Fresnos 27-20 despite having a 20-3 lead early in the contest. Meanwhile, Hanna dropped it’s first district game of the season after a rough 51-27 loss to San Benito on Saturday.
A LOT ON THE LINE
The San Benito Greyhounds can sew up the District 32-6A crown outright when they host Weslaco on Friday as a win over the Panthers combined with a Hanna loss to Harlingen would clinch the Hounds the league title. The Hounds enter Friday’s game undefeated in conference play at 5-0 (8-0 overall). Hanna, meanwhile, sits one game back of San Benito at 4-1. A win over Weslaco would put the Hounds at 6-0 with one game left to play while a Hanna loss to Harlingen would drop the Eagles to 4-2.
ANOTHER TITLE UP FOR GRABS
The Rio Hondo Bobcats can also clinch at least a share of a district championship with a win over Orange Grove. The Cats put themselves into position to grab the title with a big win over previously undefeated Raymondville this past Friday. Rio Hondo enters Friday’s home game tied with Orange Grove at 3-0 in District 16-4A DII play. With a win, the Cats would improve to 4-0 with only one game left to play against Progreso, which is winless in league play and has won only one game all season.
NOT LION AROUND
After dropping their District 32-4A DI opener to Zapata on Oct. 13, the La Feria Lions (5-3, 2-1) have won two in a row and are now tied for the league lead with Kingsville King (5-4, 2-1). The Lions are off this week, but return to action in Week 11 at Grulla (4-4, 1-1) to close out the regular season.
Week 10 Games
McAllen Memorial at LJ Juarez-Lincoln
PSJA North at Economedes
Edinburg Vela at PSJA
Valley View at Laredo Nixon
Edcouch-Elsa at Lopez
Bro. Veterans at Donna North
Lyford at Santa Gertrudis
McAllen at LJ Palmview
La Joya at McAllen Rowe
PSJA Southwest at Edinburg
Edinburg North at PSJA Memorial
Weslaco at San Benito
Hanna at Harlingen
Harlingen South at Weslaco East
Sharyland at Mission Veterans
Roma at Laredo Cigarroa
Laredo Martin at Sharyland Pioneer
Pace at Donna
Mercedes at Porter
Grulla at Hidalgo
Zapata at Kingsville King
Port Isabel at Raymondville
Progreso at West Oso
Orange Grove at Rio Hondo
Falfurrias at Santa Rosa
Monte Alto at Banquete
Santa Maria at La Villa
Los Fresnos at Rivera