On Saturday, the Harlingen Honeys might be suiting up for their toughest test of the entire season in the Icon Lyfe Bowl to be played in Rockport. However, two players that are confident in their team are Selina Berlanga and Raeana Claudio.
The pair of wide receivers has been playing for the Honeys the past three seasons and is ready for the fight ahead.
The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with the duo to see how the team is feeling about the upcoming title game.
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RAEANA CLAUDIO
Q: What has playing football taught you?
RAE: Playing football has taught me that it doesn’t matter how good you are as an individual because you won’t get anywhere without a team beside you. Without a quarterback throwing you the ball and without a blocker guiding the way, it’s impossible (to win) alone.
Q: The team started 0-3 this season, but had the confidence to turn it around. At any point in the season did the thought of not making it to the championship ever enter your mind?
RAE: We started the season with one goal and that was to make it to the Super Bowl. Despite our slow start, our goal never changed and that’s why we are where we are today.
Q: What is the toughest part about being a wide receivers?
RAE: Sometimes it’s difficult to make things happen with little game space so we just have to make things work with what is put in front of us.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
RAE: My favorite athlete would have to be Manu Ginobili. He’s a leader, a role model and he’s a player you will never see give up.
Q: What’s the strangest talent you have?
RAE: I can hold a scream and yell for a really long time.
Q: What are three things still left on your bucket list?
RAE: Attend a Newsboys concert, travel to Japan and try the different kinds of noodles, and sit up front at a Super Bowl game.
Q: If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?
RAE: I would want supernatural healing powers. Everyone feels some kind of pain, it doesn’t matter who you are, so to be able to heal the hurting would be the most rewarding feeling.
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SELINA BERLANGA
Q: What has playing football taught you?
SELINA: Playing football has taught me to be physically and mentally stronger, and has given me the confidence that I can do anything I set my mind to. Even if they say it’s only for men, I know women can do it, too!
Q: When did you realize that you wanted to play football?
SELINA: I’ve always loved watching and being around the game of football since I was a little girl, but I never thought I would actually play until about three years ago when a friend told me about the Harlingen Honeys; since then I haven’t wanted to stop.
Q: What is the team’s mentality heading into the biggest game of the year?
SELINA: Right now, the mentality is (all about) teamwork because without that we won’t accomplish the goal and that’s taking the win. We have come a long way since the beginning of the season and I believe that teamwork is what has gotten us this far. Once we all started syncing together and fixing the little mistakes here and there, we got on a roll and we aren’t going to back down.
Q: If you could eat only three foods for the rest of your life, what would they be?
SELINA: Buffalo wings, spaghetti and tacos.
Q: If you could have lunch with anybody, who would it be and why?
SELINA: I would have lunch with Tim Duncan because I watched him throughout his career. He has always been such a great inspiration to so many people, on and off the court. That’s what I admire the most, is a good person whether they are famous or not, and then I’d tell him, ‘So, Tim, you’ve got lunch, right?’
Q: What is a motto that you live your life by and why?
SELINA: ‘If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it.’ I say this because I’ve been through so much good and bad things in life, and no matter what the situation is, I always look up to the man above for the answer.
Q: Walk us through your game day routine?
SELINA: Well, first I never walk out the door without repping that Honeys gear. On game days, I also make sure to drink plenty of water that day. But what pumps me up the most is listening to my music and just being around my teammates when we first get to the field, that’s when I really start to get into game mode.
