MCALLEN — In a game featuring the wild momentum swings that are nearly inevitable when both sides combine for 10 turnovers, the one rock-solid constant was the Harlingen South defense, which came up big on several occasions in a 44-14 non-district road win over McAllen High on Thursday night. The Hawks (2-1) built up an early lead after two Leo Torres field goals and senior running back Israel Vasquez found paydirt on fourth down from the McHi 1-yard line. Vazquez picked up his second touchdown of the night with 10 seconds to go in the first half, also from a yard out.
The margin grew to 19-0 when senior quarterback David Torres hit Jacob Carreon on 4thand- 2 for a 16-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone.
Cornerback Kike Alvarado had two interceptions for Harlingen South, including one that was deflected by the line.
The Bulldogs (2-1) were able to generate momentum after forcing and recovering three fumbles off of Harlingen South kickoffs. They also recovered two fumbles by the Hawks’ backfield.
The Hawks kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard until the 2:53 mark of the second quarter, sparked by Dylan Suarez’s 60-yard return for McHi that brought the ball into Harlingen South territory, stopped at the 8-yard-line by David Torres.
McHi sophomore quarterback Hunter Curl then found senior wide receiver Aldo Morin for a 4-yard touchdown reception to give the home team its first points of the evening.
Curl brought the Bulldogs within two scores when he tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to wideout Felipe Magana with 11:28 to go in the third quarter. Curl’s backup Robert Amador threw two interceptions, one to Jeremiah Rivera, and the other to Michael Becerra.
