HARLINGEN — It’s easy to recognize the members of the Cardinals boys soccer team as they walk the halls of Harlingen High School with their ostentatious bleached-blond hair.
It’s a tradition that has been in place long before any of the program’s current players were enrolled in school and it is a tradition that is reserved for the most distinctive of moments, and coaches are no exception.
“Coach Lucio started the tradition of the blond hair back in 2000 when he led his team to the Elite 8 (of the playoffs),” said Harlingen head soccer coach Johnny Guillen. “As a team we decided to all go blonde at the beginning of the year because the team had high expectations of making it to the playoffs.
“But the kids are not just satisfied with making the playoffs. They really want to extend our season, and represent our school and district the best we can.”
And there is no more special moment than this. After a nail-biting regular-season finale where Harlingen High, Harlingen South and San Benito all had opportunities of making the postseason, it was the Cardinals that punched their ticket into the postseason after a 10-year dry spell.
Now, the Cardinals are ready to represent District 32-6A against bi-district opponent PSJA Southwest at 6 p.m. Thursday at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
“Heading into the game the kids are taking it like any other game,” said Guillen. “They have always taken it one game at a time and they know that they are playing against another opponent, but they are also playing against themselves.
“We need to take advantage of the opportunities given to us and play smart soccer and limit any mistakes.”
Cards goalkeeper Rick Deleon enjoying the ride
Harlingen High goalkeeper Rick Deleon has had a season to remember.
From defeating the Harlingen South Hawks for the first time in his career to leading the Cardinals to their first playoff appearance in nearly 10 years, the 2017-18 soccer campaign has been an unforgettable one for the senior.
The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with Deleon and get to know him a little bit better.
Q: As a goalkeeper how do you stay focused when the action is happening on the opposite end of the field?
RICK: Even when the action is happening on the opposite side of the field, I just continue to think about the objective of the game and that is to win and continue forward.
Q: Do you have any pregame rituals that you must do before a game?
RICK: Although many players have pregame rituals, all I really do is listen to some pump-up music before every game.
Q: The team is having one of its best seasons in recent memory and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. What’s been behind the team’s success this season?
RICK: I believe the team’s success is due to the players themselves and the change in the coaching staff. Last year no one was motivated and no one took things seriously except a few players, and when we heard about the change in the coaching staff, we saw it as a restart button and ever since then we’ve been determined to change history.
Q: What’s the team’s mentality heading into this Thursday’s game against PSJA Southwest?
RICK: We know it’s going to be a tough game but everyone has been working extra hard and we believe that through God all things are possible.
Q: What has been the most exciting moment of your soccer career? Why that specific one?
RICK: The most exciting moment in my soccer career would have to be the first win against Harlingen South this year. Only because that was my first time beating them in my four years as a Cardinal Soccer player.
Q: What’s the best advice you would give to the future athletes at Harlingen High?
RICK: The best advice that I can give to any future athlete would have to be to leave it all in the game because you don’t know when it’s going to be your last because time did really fly by fast.
Q: If you could meet anybody, who would it be?
RICK: If I could meet anybody it would have to be goalkeeper Tim Howard because of the way he approaches life and the game is remarkable. He’s a great player on the field and even a better individual off the field.
Q: What super hero movie is your favorite?
RICK: It would have to be the first Avengers film only because that was when all the super heroes first assembled and reunited.
Q: If you could have one super power which would it be and why?
RICK: It would probably have to be telekinesis because I think it would be pretty cool to control different things.
